Cost of Living in Madagascar 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetAll figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of Madagascar is the Malagasy ariary (MGA).
Monthly Living Costs in Madagascar
Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:
1BR Rent
per month, city average
3BR Rent
per month, city average
Groceries
per month, single person
Transport
per month, public transit pass
Utilities
per month, basic apartment
Meal Out
typical price per meal
Monthly budget (single person): €443 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €556 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Madagascar Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 29.8 |
| Rent index | 7.4 |
| Groceries index | 23.8 |
| Restaurant price index | 15.4 |
| Local purchasing-power index (higher = stronger) | 13.7 |
| Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100) | 28.9 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Madagascar from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| IT & Software | €8,500 |
| Finance | €7,000 |
| Engineering | €7,000 |
| Healthcare | €5,000 |
| Construction | €5,000 |
| Education | €4,500 |
| Retail | €3,000 |
| Hospitality | €3,000 |
Taxes in Madagascar
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 20% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €6,400 |
| VAT / sales tax | 20% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 20% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €6,400 per month. After rent and essentials (€443), roughly €5,957 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Madagascar Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madagascar | €285 | €95 | €18 | 29.8 |
| Ethiopia | €180 | €85 | €35 | 17 |
| Tanzania | €464 | €180 | €13 | 25.2 |
| Kenya | €450 | €120 | €35 | 34.8 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Madagascar:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 9 residence and visa routes for Madagascar — see the full Madagascar visa programme list.
Lowest documented income requirement among tracked routes: €500 per month — Retraité (retirement route). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €443 per month to sustain a move to Madagascar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madagascar expensive?
Madagascar has a cost-of-living index of 29.8 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €285 per month and a single person spends about €443 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Madagascar?
About €443 per month covers rent and essentials for a single person (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities). A couple sharing a 1-bedroom apartment needs about €556 per month.
What is the average rent in Madagascar?
A 1-bedroom apartment averages €285 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €580 per month in Madagascar. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.
What do people earn in Madagascar?
Typical gross annual salaries in Madagascar range from €3,000 (Hospitality) to €8,500 (IT & Software), based on our sector dataset.
Which residence route has the lowest income requirement for Madagascar?
Among the 9 Madagascar residence routes we track, the lowest documented income requirement is €500 per month (Retraité). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Ready for the next step? See the full Madagascar country profile and the Madagascar emigration guide.
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