Cost Of Living For a Student in Madagascar 2025

Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: MGA
Average monthly spending for students in Madagascar
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Madagascar?
Students in Madagascar spend around 680,000 MGA per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 100,000 MGA or as high as 4.6M MGA. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Madagascar

Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
1,300 MGA | 2,600 MGA | 4,400 MGA |
Restaurant meal for one
4,400 MGA | 6,600 MGA | 13,000 MGA |
Fine dining meal for one
8,800 MGA | 13,000 MGA | 53,000 MGA |
Cappuccino or latte
1,100 MGA | 1,800 MGA | 2,600 MGA |
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
880 MGA | 1,100 MGA | 1,300 MGA |
12 eggs
660 MGA | 880 MGA | 1,300 MGA |
Fresh whole chicken
1,500 MGA | 1,900 MGA | 2,700 MGA |
Pack of beef
1,800 MGA | 2,600 MGA | 5,300 MGA |
Medium bag of rice
710 MGA | 970 MGA | 1,400 MGA |
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
470 MGA | 620 MGA | 1,000 MGA |

Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
1,100 MGA | 1,300 MGA | 2,600 MGA |
Average car full tank
6,600 MGA | 8,800 MGA | 18,000 MGA |
Average car 1-day rental
6,600 MGA | 8,800 MGA | 13,000 MGA |
Average car price
3.3M MGA | 6.6M MGA | 8.8M MGA |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
8,800 MGA | 13,000 MGA | 26,000 MGA |

Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
4,100 MGA | 27,000 MGA | 180,000 MGA |
Internet and cable
6,600 MGA | 13,000 MGA | 18,000 MGA |
Mobile phone charges
5,300 MGA | 8,800 MGA | 26,000 MGA |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
3,300 MGA | 4,400 MGA | 6,600 MGA |
One month gym membership
11,000 MGA | 13,000 MGA | 26,000 MGA |

Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
7,800 MGA | 11,000 MGA | 16,000 MGA |
Woman dress
7,300 MGA | 10,000 MGA | 33,000 MGA |
Woman shoes
6,900 MGA | 9,400 MGA | 22,000 MGA |
Men's shoes
6,000 MGA | 7,300 MGA | 15,000 MGA |
Men suit
6,600 MGA | 8,200 MGA | 44,000 MGA |
Regular t-shirt
3,300 MGA | 4,400 MGA | 13,000 MGA |

Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
110,000 MGA | 160,000 MGA | 440,000 MGA |
1-bedroom apartment
160,000 MGA | 260,000 MGA | 660,000 MGA |
2-bedroom apartment
220,000 MGA | 330,000 MGA | 880,000 MGA |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
44M MGA | 130M MGA | 260M MGA |

Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
130,000 MGA | 160,000 MGA | 220,000 MGA |
Double Bed
88,000 MGA | 130,000 MGA | 160,000 MGA |
Single Bed
78,000 MGA | 100,000 MGA | 130,000 MGA |
Living Room
150,000 MGA | 190,000 MGA | 660,000 MGA |
Dining Table
66,000 MGA | 88,000 MGA | 160,000 MGA |
Sofa or Couch
88,000 MGA | 120,000 MGA | 260,000 MGA |

Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
88,000 MGA | 130,000 MGA | 260,000 MGA |
Fridge or Freezer
78,000 MGA | 120,000 MGA | 160,000 MGA |
Washing Machine
100,000 MGA | 150,000 MGA | 260,000 MGA |
Stove or Cooker
94,000 MGA | 120,000 MGA | 160,000 MGA |
Mobile Phone
110,000 MGA | 130,000 MGA | 190,000 MGA |
Laptop or Computer
120,000 MGA | 150,000 MGA | 260,000 MGA |

How do students spend their money in Madagascar?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost17%
17% of total expenses on average (12% to 23%)
LOW | $5.4 25,000 MGA |
AVERAGE | $36 160,000 MGA |
HIGH | $240 1.1M MGA |
| Per Month |
Students in Madagascar typically spend from 12% to 23% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 17% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 160,000 MGA with expenditure ranging from 25,000 MGA to 1.1M MGA. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
LOW | $0.91 4,100 MGA |
AVERAGE | $6.1 27,000 MGA |
HIGH | $40 180,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Madagascar ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 27,000 MGA with 4,100 MGA and 180,000 MGA being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
LOW | $1.6 7,200 MGA |
AVERAGE | $11 48,000 MGA |
HIGH | $71 320,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 7,200 MGA to 320,000 MGA in a month on commuting with 48,000 MGA being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 4% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 10%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
LOW | $4.5 20,000 MGA |
AVERAGE | $30 140,000 MGA |
HIGH | $200 910,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Madagascar is 140,000 MGA. The cost of groceries can range between 20,000 MGA to 910,000 MGA. Students spend on average about 23% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 17% and 27% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
LOW | $1.4 6,100 MGA |
AVERAGE | $9.1 41,000 MGA |
HIGH | $61 270,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Students in Madagascar allocate 6% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 6,100 MGA to 270,000 MGA with 41,000 MGA being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (2% to 6%)
LOW | $1.1 5,100 MGA |
AVERAGE | $7.6 34,000 MGA |
HIGH | $51 230,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 5,100 MGA to 230,000 MGA with 34,000 MGA being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
LOW | $4.3 19,000 MGA |
AVERAGE | $29 130,000 MGA |
HIGH | $190 870,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 130,000 MGA per month with 19,000 MGA being the minimum spent amount and 870,000 MGA being the maximum.
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
LOW | $3.4 15,000 MGA |
AVERAGE | $23 100,000 MGA |
HIGH | $150 680,000 MGA |
| Per Month |

A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.

Low-cost alternatives in Madagascar
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options51%
Few low-cost options49%
Based on the survey, 51% of the students living in Madagascar have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 49% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Affordable living in Madagascar
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Madagascar?
Around 43% of surveyed students think that living in Madagascar is affordable with proper budgeting while 57% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Madagascar
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Madagascar
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
110,000 MGA | 160,000 MGA | 440,000 MGA |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
160,000 MGA | 260,000 MGA | 660,000 MGA |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
220,000 MGA | 330,000 MGA | 880,000 MGA |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
260,000 MGA | 440,000 MGA | 1.2M MGA |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
530,000 MGA | 1.3M MGA | 2.6M MGA |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
440,000 MGA | 660,000 MGA | 1.9M MGA |
House monthly rent cost
530,000 MGA | 1.3M MGA | 2.6M MGA |
Villa monthly rent cost
660,000 MGA | 1.6M MGA | 2.6M MGA |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Madagascar ranges between 110,000 MGA and 440,000 MGA, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 160,000 MGA to 660,000 MGA. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 220,000 MGA and 880,000 MGA per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 260,000 MGA to 1.2M MGA. The average rent of a townhouse in Madagascar is around 660,000 MGA while house rental costs can be as high as 1.3M MGA per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 660,000 MGA to 2.6M MGA per month.
Apartment and house prices in Madagascar
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
44M MGA | 130M MGA | 260M MGA |
3-bedroom apartment price
150M MGA | 220M MGA | 660M MGA |
Townhouse price
190M MGA | 440M MGA | 1,600M MGA |
House price
220M MGA | 1,300M MGA | 1,900M MGA |
$49,000 | $290,000 | $420,000 |
Villa price
260M MGA | 1,500M MGA | 2,200M MGA |
$59,000 | $330,000 | $490,000 |
The average price of a studio apartment in Madagascar can range from 22M MGA to 66M MGA depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 26M MGA to 160M MGA. A villa can cost you 1,500M MGA on average with prices ranging from 260M MGA to 2,200M MGA.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Madagascar will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
30 | x82 monthly income | 189 |
Property prices in Madagascar can be x82 to x189 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x82 multiples of the average monthly salary in Madagascar.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Madagascar is around 28%. This means that people pay 28% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 18% to 38% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
26% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
2,000 MGA | 27,000 MGA | 270,000 MGA |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Madagascar
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Madagascar
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
1,300 MGA | 2,600 MGA | 4,400 MGA |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Madagascar is approximatly 2,600 MGA with meal cost ranging from 1,300 MGA to 4,400 MGA. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
4,400 MGA | 6,600 MGA | 13,000 MGA |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 4,400 MGA and 13,000 MGA with 6,600 MGA being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Madagascar.
Fine dining meal for one price
8,800 MGA | 13,000 MGA | 53,000 MGA |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 8,800 MGA to 53,000 MGA with the average cost being 13,000 MGA for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Madagascar.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
1,100 MGA | 1,800 MGA | 2,600 MGA |
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Madagascar is around 1,800 MGA. Price ranges between 1,100 MGA and 2,600 MGA depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
880 MGA | 1,100 MGA | 1,300 MGA |
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Madagascar is 1,100 MGA. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 1,300 MGA and the minimum being 880 MGA depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
660 MGA | 880 MGA | 1,300 MGA |
A dozen eggs costs around 880 MGA on average with 660 MGA and 1,300 MGA being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
1,500 MGA | 1,900 MGA | 2,700 MGA |
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Madagascar is between 1,500 MGA and 2,700 MGA depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 1,900 MGA.
Pack of beef price
1,800 MGA | 2,600 MGA | 5,300 MGA |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 2,600 MGA. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
710 MGA | 970 MGA | 1,400 MGA |
A bag of rice in Madagascar costs around 970 MGA on average with prices rangeing between 710 MGA and 1,400 MGA depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 260 MGA to 660 MGA. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
470 MGA | 620 MGA | 1,000 MGA |
A bag of apples costs 620 MGA on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 20,000 MGA to 910,000 MGA with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
Emergency Funds For Students
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked students whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes39%
No61%
Based on the survey, 61% of the students living in Madagascar said that they don't have an emergency fund while 39% said that they do.

Financial Literacy in
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy38%
We asked student guardians and parents in Madagascar whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 62% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 38% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether students of have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 64% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 36% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance64%
Easily manages finances36%
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Madagascar
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Madagascar
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
4,100 MGA | 27,000 MGA | 180,000 MGA |
Internet and cable cost
6,600 MGA | 13,000 MGA | 18,000 MGA |
Mobile phone bill and charges
5,300 MGA | 8,800 MGA | 26,000 MGA |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 27,000 MGA. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 6,600 MGA to 18,000 MGA with 13,000 MGA being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 8,800 MGA but can range between 5,300 MGA and 26,000 MGA depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Madagascar is around 7%. This means that people pay 7% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 4% to 11% depending on salary and location.