MONTHLY Cost of Living In Madagascar 2024 (Budget Tips)

Why Should You Move to Madagascar?

cost of living in Madagascar

Living in Madagascar affordably is Absolutely possible, and the Cost Of Living In Madagascar makes it possible to Live For Around $1000 to $2000 per month. We explain in This article how we and others did it!

  • Madagascar is genuinely a Magical Tropical Country off the coast of the African continent that is 4 times cheaper than living in New York City, as we will explain.
  •  Madagascar has incredible weather, world-class beaches and nature, fantastic scenery, infinite adventures, and a thriving, warm Malagasy culture.
  • Madagascar is also one of the most unique countries in the world, most of the species found in Madagascar are only in Madagascar and are nowhere else on the planet! as well as beautiful nature and wildlife you will see nowhere else!
  •  The affordable cost of living In Madagascar, With a monthly income of less than $1500 is possible to live well, and sometimes even as low as $640 per month if you are on an extreme budget, which we will discuss later in this article. The monthly rent, food budget, housing expenses, and transportation options are determined by your budget and spending habits, depending on how much you spend.
  •  This Unique Country has it all – beautiful beaches, Unique trees called the Baobao, unique animals seen nowhere else like the Lemur Sifaka, incredible wildlife and nature that you will see nowhere else on earth, and local food places, cheap markets, and a million adventures you can take.
  •   From rent to food to transportation, everything is covered here. This guide provides a few valuable tips on how to live cheaply in Madagascar. So whether you’re planning a short stay or a long-term relocation, You have come to the right place!
  •   Madagascar is a popular destination and attracts visitors from all over the globe because of its diverse nature and culture, world-class beaches, and incredible adventures.
  •   We’ll also discuss living expenses, food prices, and more. So whether you’re looking to rent or buy a property in Madagascar, we will cover everything you need.
  •  The average monthly cost of living in Madagascar is $250 For the Local Natives. Expats and Digital Nomads will spend more to keep up with their living standards.
Move to Madagascar

This article will help you understand how much money you’ll need to live comfortably and inexpensively by providing an overview of the Cost Of Living In Madagascar. Additionally, we’ll emphasize and explain some of the advantages of living in Madagascar and help you decide if it’s right for you!

We’ve been digital nomads for almost 4.5 years and have been traveling the globe since then, so we’ll share our experiences with you! Ready to begin your dream destination to live for a few months in Madagascar? Let’s do it!


Table of Contents

Table of Contents hide

FAQs About Madagascar

Moving to Madagascar is an incredible decision. Before you pack your bags and move, it’s important to understand the cost of living in Madagascar. This includes rental prices, food, transportation, and more.

Keep reading for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about living in Madagascar. Do you need to bring your own vehicle? The answer is no, as plenty of public transportation options are available, and you can rent your scooter. Is health care included in the monthly cost of living?

Health care is included in the monthly cost of living in Madagascar.

The most common questions asked about Madagascar are:

  • How much does it cost to live in Madagascar?
  •   What is the true cost of living in Madagascar?
  •   How can I live in Madagascar long-term?
  •   Why is Madagascar so popular?
  •   How to Get around Madagascar?
  •   Transportation in Madagascar
  •   What food to eat in Madagascar?
  •   Where are the Best Places to Stay In Madagascar?
  •   Do I Need Travel Insurance In Madagascar?
  •   And a lot more.

These questions make these very complex questions to answer because it depends on many things!

  • Do you like to party often, eat out and drink alcohol daily or weekly?
  •   How will you get around Madagascar? By Train, Taxi, Boat, walking, scooter, Car, or Public transport,?
  •   Will you cook, eat local food, or often eat out at expensive restaurants?
  •   Are you ok with a simple hostel or 1 or 2-bedroom apartment for $400-$2500 a month, or do you want to stay in an extravagant villa for $300 a night?
  •   Are you willing to learn how to live cheaply and maximize everything you can to stay within your budget but have everything you need to explore for months and enjoy more of what Madagascar and Madagascar offer?

You’ll be able to estimate how much it would cost to live in Madagascar based on your spending habits. Throughout this comprehensive article, we’ll do our best to answer all your questions and help you understand the entire cost of living in Madagascar. These are estimates based on our experiences as digital nomads and the numbers from Numbeo.

Madagascar’s cost of living will fluctuate depending on how you choose to live. You may spend less than what’s indicated here, or you may spend much more. However, when creating a budget for living in Madagascar, this article will provide you with the necessary information you need to live an extraordinary life in Madagascar.


Cost Of Living In Madagascar Summary Cost Of Rent, Groceries, Transportation, Healthcare: $640 to $3300 Per Month

Cost of living in Madagascar summary

The cost of living in Madagascar, ranges from $640 to $3300 per month. The cost of living in Madagascar is 81% lower than in New York City, United States. With a family of four estimated monthly costs of $2,000, depending on your spending habits, it could be more or less than what is listed here.

With effort and budget planning, you can reduce your monthly budget significantly.

Living in Madagascar is extremely affordable and the good news is that there are a lot of affordable accommodations and food options to be found anywhere in the country.

  • The range of costs is from $640 to $3300 per month, with the big cities (Antananarivo and Mahajanga) being a bit more expensive than the smaller towns.
  •  A budget food and grocery plan will cost you around $200 to $300 per month on average, although this figure will vary depending on your location and budget.
  •  Overall, a monthly budget of $640 to $3300 is a realistic estimate for the cost of living in Madagascar.

Cost of Living in Madagascar Per Month: Table of Expenses in 2024

The Cost of living table below An intensive poll of Digital Nomads, Expats, travelers, and Numbeo users was used to put this together. We also go extremely deeper below this table of expenses!

$1 USD equals 4,275.00 Malagasy Ariary MGA as of the posting of this article. This estimate is based on a Strict Budget Vs. A luxury Budget in Madagascar per month! The Cost Of Living Per Month In Madagascar is $640 to $3300, depending on your spending habits! Here is a table of expenses for a couple living in Madagascar per month:

Average Monthly Expenses In MadagascarUSD $Madagascar Malagasy Ariary MGA
Rent (Homestay, Guesthouse, studio vs 2+ Luxury bedroom Apartment) In Madagascar$200 – $2000MGA 855,000 – MGA 8,550,000
Electricity (Including water) In Madagascar$30 – $100MGA 128,250 – MGA 427,500
Mobile Phone (including data) In Madagascar$20 – $50MGA 85,500 – MGA 213,750
Internet (WiFi) in Madagascar$20 – $50MGA 85,500 – MGA 213,750
Food (groceries, dining out, partying, nightlife) in Madagascar$200 – $550MGA 855,000 – MGA 2,351,250
Transportation (motorbike, fuel, renting, Taxi) In Madagascar$100 – $200MGA 427,500 – MGA 855,000
Healthy Activities (Gym, MMA, Yoga, Massages, etc) In Madagascar$30 – $200MGA 128,250 – MGA 855,000
Health Insurance (SafetyWing, World Nomads) In Madagascar$40 – $150MGA 171,000 – MGA 342,000
Cost of Living In Madagascar Per Month Total Expenses$640 – $3300MGA 2,736,000 – MGA 14,107,500

Cost of Rent In Madagascar In Depth

Cost of rent in Madagascar

Renting a property in Madagascar can be affordable if you stick to a budget. Renting an apartment in Madagascar will cost you $200 for a simple apartment to $2000 for a luxury apartment, but it’s important to do your research beforehand.

Credit to Passive Nomads

Various rentals are available, so it’s important to find the perfect one for your needs. When budgeting, factoring in utilities, monthly rent, and other expenses can add up quickly.

  • Renting an apartment monthly, either from a rental agency, in person, or from Airbnb, will be the best option if you want to move to Madagascar. On average, apartments in Madagascar cost $200 to $2000 per month on Airbnb and maybe cheaper if you search locally, but you will have to make a deposit upfront if you don’t go through Airbnb, so it’s much simpler to rent through Airbnb monthly.
  •   Renting a home with two or more rooms will cost you around $200 or more per month

Your Biggest expense is Rent in Madagascar. Unless you have a Crazy spending habit, A modest studio apartment estimated monthly cost $200 to $500 per month, whereas a huge 2+ bedroom apartment costs $800+ per month or more in Madagascar.

  • You’ll have to choose between renting a flat, studio, 2+ bedroom apartment, sharing the rent, or living alone.
  •   To save money on food in Madagascar and eat the local food, shop at the local supermarkets, and look for an apartment in the surrounding areas close to local markets, local food stalls, and supermarkets. This is a fantastic tip.
  •   Digital Nomads in Madagascar, and Expats in Madagascar are just a few of the Facebook groups available. For you, Facebook groups are a fantastic resource! It is an excellent place to start. 
  •   There are lodges, Homestays, Airbnb, Guesthouses, Studios, hostels, Couchsurfing, Bed, and breakfasts In Madagascar for affordable monthly rates.

Monthly Rent in Madagascar: Table of Expenses in 2024

Here is a table of expenses for the Cost of Rent and Accommodation in Madagascar per month:

Average Monthly Rent and Accommodation In MadagascarUSD $Madagascar Malagasy Ariary MGA
Studio Apartment in Madagascar$200 – $500MGA 855,000 – MGA 2,137,500
2 Bedroom Apartment in Madagascar$300 – $700MGA 1,282,500 – MGA 2,992,500
3+ Bedroom Apartment in Madagascar$800 – $2000MGA 3,420,000 – MGA 8,550,000

Best Flights To Madagascar Cost Tips

Did you know you can fly one way to Madagascar affordably?

  1. If you Fly to Antananarivo, Madagascar, Nosy Be Madagascar One-Way From New York City for $600 to $900 per person. Incredibly cheap Airfare!
  2.  If you Fly to Antananarivo, Madagascar, and Nosy Be Madagascar from Europe and Asia, the costs will be from $400 to $600 per person.

You Can Check On Google Flights here!

Also, if you Have Travel Credit Card Miles and frequent Flyer miles, you can fly to Madagascar For almost free!


Cost Of Transportation In Madagascar

Cost of transportation in Madagascar

Public transport may be a better option for those who don’t have a car or want to reduce their monthly expenses. I suggest renting a scooter monthly to explore Madagascar to its fullest potential. Budget around $100 to $200 per month in transportation and exploring Madagascar.

The public transportation system in Madagascar consists of taxi be, Taxi Brousse, Bicycles, buses, Tuk Tuks, a monorail Train system, boats, and Scooter.

  • Taxi-brousse, shared taxi, is how most natives and Malagasy travel around the country efficiently. 
  •  There are several different train routes and stations in Madagascar. Antananarivo is connected to Toamasina, Ambatondrazaka, and Antsirabe by rail, and another rail line connects Fianarantsoa to Manakara. The northern railway (TCE) is routed to Madarail. The southern line, Fianarantsoa-Côte-Est railway (FCE).
  •  In Madagascar, public transportation mainly consists of bush taxis, taxi-bes, and TukTuks. 
  •  A bush taxi is a vehicle that travels as a bus between two large towns, with people going to different places, just like a conventional bus.
  •  taxi-bes are mainly found in the capital and are really cool.
  •  Tuk Tuks are a great way to get around to usually for around $0.60

Monthly Transportation in Madagascar: Table of Expenses in 2024

Here is a table of expenses for the Cost of Public Transportation in Madagascar per month:

Average Monthly Transportation Costs in MadagascarUSD $Madagascar Malagasy Ariary MGA
Train Ticket$3 to $10MGA 20,000 – MGA 100,000
Scooter, Taxi Costs$.60 – $100MGA 3,500 – MGA 1,000,000

Cost of Food In Madagascar Explained: Table of Expenses

cost of food in Madagascar

The Most popular Malagasy dish consists of a plate of rice. They have rice with every meal. The two most popular dishes are romazava, a meat stew with green vegetables, and ravitoto, stewed pork with vegetables.

Monthly Food Costs in Madagascar cost $100 to $500 per month, depending on your spending habits.

Here is a table of expenses for the Cost of Food in Madagascar per month:

Average Monthly Food Costs in MadagascarUSD $Madagascar Malagasy Ariary MGA
Local Food Markets, Street food and Local Supermarkets Per month (Budget Food Costs) in Madagascar$100 – $300MGA 427,500 – MGA 1,282,500
Eating out at Mid range restaurants and expensive restaurants per month (No Budget) In Madagascar$300 – $600MGA 1,282,500 – MGA 2,565,000

Cost Of Healthcare IN Madagascar

Safety Wing Health Insurance

Ultimately the Healthcare isn’t as good as western Standards. You may need to fly to South Africa or Kenya if you have a medical issue or try the best privately owned Hospital most commonly used by expats.

We recommend The best travel health Insurance available by SafetyWing We always have travel insurance monthly for international trips and living abroad.

We STRONGLY suggest that you also have it, especially if you live in Madagascar, and we always use SafetyWing for international travel insurance and medical concerns. They start at $42 a month! It’s incredible and always reliable!


Best Things To Do In Madagascar

Some of the most popular amenities and activities that tourists in Madagascar enjoy include:

  • Beaches: Madagascar is a stunning island country with many beautiful beaches to explore. No matter what time of year you visit, you’re sure to find a great spot to relax and swim.
  •  Hiking: Hiking is a great way to get a workout while exploring Madagascar’s lush and diverse landscape.
  •  There’s a hike for everyone, from easy hikes near the coast to challenging hikes in the mountains. Biking: Biking is another excellent way to explore the island country easily. There are plenty of bike trails to discover, all of which are well-maintained and safe.
  •  Caving: Caving is a fascinating activity that is not only fun but also educational. Not only does it provide a new perspective on the natural world, but caving can also be an exciting way to spend a day.
  •  Some of the most popular tourist destinations in Madagascar are: Anse Baies, Nosy Be, Andasibe National Park, Tsimbazaza National Park, Mananara Nord, and the many Islands around Madagascar.

We will be making a full-length blog post on the best things to do in Madagascar in the future. For now, check out Viator. They have thousands of activities, day trips, multi-day trips, and things to do for an affordable rate! also below is a sample of the activities; you can click and check them out.


Cost of Taxes in Madagascar by Percentage

Here is in-depth information for the cost of Taxes in Madagascar for each type of Tax and make sure to contact a local Madagascar Tax Professional for more Information:

Individual Income Tax in Madagascar

  • Tax Type: Individual Income Tax
  • Tax Rate: 0% – 35%
  • Important Information:
    • Progressive tax rates from 0% to 35% based on income.
    • First MGA 330,000 per month is tax exempt.
    • Standard rate is 20% above this threshold.

Value Added Tax (VAT) in Madagascar

  • Tax Type: Value Added Tax (VAT)
  • Tax Rate: 20%
  • Important Information:
    • Standard VAT rate is 20% on sales of goods and services.
    • Exemptions for basic food items, health, education, etc.
    • Minimum annual turnover threshold to register for VAT.

Corporate Income Tax in Madagascar

  • Tax Type: Corporate Income Tax
  • Tax Rate: 20%
  • Important Information:
    • Standard 20% tax rate on all company profits.
    • Minimum turnover tax for companies not subject to corporate tax.
    • Tax exemptions may apply in free trade zones.

Property Tax in Madagascar

  • Tax Type: Property Tax
  • Tax Rate: 5% – 15%
  • Important Information:
    • Levied annually based on assessed property value.
    • Rates range from 5% on vacant land to 15% on commercial buildings.
    • Collected locally by municipalities.

Customs Duties in Madagascar

  • Tax Type: Customs Duties
  • Tax Rate: 0% – 25%
  • Important Information:
    • Import duties levied on goods entering Madagascar.
    • Rates vary from 0% to 25% depending on product type.
    • Helps protect and encourage local production.

Table of Tax Rates in Madagascar

Tax Type in MadagascarTax Rate in Madagascar
Individual Income Tax0% – 35%
Value Added Tax (VAT)20%
Corporate Income Tax20%
Property Tax5% – 15%
Customs Duties0% – 25%

Main FAQS Section About Madagascar:

Best time to visit Madagascar

The best time to visit Madagascar is from April to November. 

Worst Time to visit Madagascar

The Worst time to visit Madagascar is from (December to March) when the island experiences heavy rainfall most months of the year. 

What are the average costs of living in Madagascar in 2024?

The Average cost of living in Madagascar is $640 to $3300 per month. It could be less or more, depending on your budget.

What are some of the most popular tourist destinations in Madagascar?

Regarding popular tourist destinations in Madagascar, some of the most popular ones include Ambositra, Tamatave, Andavakoalana, Nosy Be, and Antananarivo. These destinations have unique attractions that draw visitors from all over the world.

What are some of the most popular places to live in Madagascar?

The capital Antananarivo is Madagascar’s most popular place to live. Toamasina and Liloa follow it. Other places where expats often settle include Toamasina, Ampajano Andrefana, Ambositra, Nosy Be, and Dzaoudzi. A recent report from Taia Global also suggests that Pointe à Pitre and Tulear are some popular areas for foreigners to reside in.

What is the average cost of rent in Madagascar in 2024?

The average rent for an apartment in Madagascar will be around $180 to $500 per month. Additionally, groceries and utilities cost about $200-$250 monthly.

What are the average costs for food, transportation, and utilities?

When it comes to expenses, you should budget around $300 to $400 per month on average when it comes to food, transportation, and utilities. This includes things like groceries, bus fares, and electricity bills.

What is the average price of groceries in Madagascar?

The Average price of groceries in Madagascar will cost around $200 to $300 per month. And less if you are on a strict budget.

What are the best places to live in Madagascar if you’re looking for a budget?

One of the best places to live in Madagascar on a budget is Ambohimanga. This small town is located in the south of the country, near the Tananarive region. The cost of living is low, with food being the main expense.
Additionally, there is a high quality of life to be enjoyed here, with various restaurants and attractions to explore. If you are looking for a place to call an eco-friendly home, Tsiroanomandidy is an excellent option.
This rural community is endowed with a beautiful landscape and plenty of outdoor sports and recreation opportunities.
And, since it is located close to other major cities, transportation costs are minimal. As always, be sure to factor in food, housing, and transportation expenses when budgeting for living in Madagascar. Also, Nosy Be Is an extremely beautiful place to live.
With some research, you will find the perfect place to call home in Madagascar at a fraction of the cost of living in larger cities like New York or Paris!

Average rent in Madagascar

The average rent in Madagascar is $200 to $800 per month. You can live for less, but that’s if you are on a strict budget.

Is Madagascar a good place to live?

Yes, Madagascar is a beautiful place to live. It is very affordable, and you can have a million different adventures in Madagascar. You can also live monthly for around $640 to $3300 per month.

Conclusion

We’ve summarized the cost of living in Madagascar and provided a table of expenses. Additionally, we’ve included a guide on renting properties in Madagascar and tips on saving money while living in this beautiful country. We hope you find this blog helpful and that you make a move to Madagascar in the near future! We will continually be updating this article. also, below there are a lot of great travel resources for you for your journey to Madagascar. Check it out and follow us on Social media!

Travel Resources and Reliable Sources For Madagascar

  • Travel Insurance: We always have travel insurance monthly for international trips and living abroad. We STRONGLY suggest that you also have it, just in case other digital nomads live abroad, and we always use SafetyWing for international travel insurance and medical concerns. SafetyWing is one of the few policies covering Covid-19, and they start at $42 a month! It’s incredible and always reliable! SafetyWing is perfect for Digital Nomads and long-term travelers!
  • Heath and Safety: We use the travel guides on the CDC website to research recommended precautions.
  • Madagascar Tourism Board Government Site
  • Official Madagascar Tourism Board Tourist Friendly Site

If you want to keep up with our travels, go ahead and follow us on our travel page on Instagram @onelifepassportComment below what else you would like to know/see about our experiences traveling the world! Also, check out our YouTube Channel!

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