Island in Diana, Madagascar
Cost of living in Nosy Be
How much a month costs in Nosy Be
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $864–1,480 (Ar3.8M–6.5M).
Prices in Nosy Be
Typical 2026 ranges in MGA, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | MGA | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | Ar30,000–60,000 | $6.8–13.6 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | Ar150,000–400,000 | $34–91 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | Ar5,000–12,000 | $1.1–2.7 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | Ar30,000–70,000 | $6.8–15.9 |
| Cappuccino | Ar3,500–8,000 | $0.8–1.8 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | Ar4,000–9,000 | $0.9–2.0 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | Ar1,000–3,000 | $0.23–0.68 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | Ar10,000–25,000 | $2.3–5.7 |
| Work and life | ||
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | Ar15,000–45,000 | $3.4–10.2 |
Value for money: 60/100
A value score of 60/100 means Nosy Be gives more quality of life per dollar than 59% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 47/100.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Madagascar
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Antananarivo | $796–1,360 | 49/100 |
| Nosy Be | $864–1,480 | 60/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Nosy Be
Similar safety, lower cost, in Africa.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Aswan | Egypt | $478–803 |
| Dahab | Egypt | $536–861 |
| Djerba | Tunisia | $674–1,080 |
| Sousse | Tunisia | $674–1,080 |
| Addis Ababa | Ethiopia | $553–921 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Nosy Be?
About $409–636 on a lean budget, $864–1,480 for a comfortable month and $2,050–3,640 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much does food cost in Nosy Be?
A local meal is Ar5,000–12,000 ($1.1–2.7); a mid-range restaurant is Ar30,000–70,000 ($6.8–15.9) per person.
Is Madagascar expensive?
Prices in Madagascar are about 31% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Nosy Be
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Madagascar e-visa portal
- Madagascar tourism
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.