Kenya vs Madagascar
Madagascar costs roughly 36% less than Kenya, though Kenya scores higher on healthcare. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Madagascar is approximately 36% less expensive than Kenya based on cost of living including rent. This makes Madagascar a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Madagascar has a FIRE Score of 100/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 41.6, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Madagascar is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Kenya
Kenya suits budget-focused retirees comfortable trading big-city safety for cheap living, not those chasing polish. Rent outside the center runs $140.77/mo and English is widely spoken, but the Safety Index sits at just 44 with low expat safety ratings. The Kenya does not offer a specific retirement visa, but long-stay options exist needs only $2,000/mo income, though political stability at -0.71 and a complex citizenship path mean this is a residency, not a homecoming.
$2,245/mo
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About Madagascar
A 1BR apartment in the city center runs $314 a month, less than a parking spot in most US downtowns, and total costs land near $406 monthly. But healthcare scores just 26.4, with limited English-speaking doctors, and political stability sits at -0.91. The retirement visa only needs EUR 500/mo income. This works only if you accept real medical risk in exchange for the savings.
$2,279/mo
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Living Costs (excl. rent)
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Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Kenya | Madagascar |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 2: Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 101.7 +49.3 | 52.4 |
| Healthcare Index | 62 +35.6 | 26.4 |
| Safety Index | 44 +2.4 | 41.6 |
| Cost of Living Index | 28.2 | 20.7 +7.5 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $496.6 | $406.4 +90.2 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $1,821.4 | $1,441.2 +380.2 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $258.58 +55.61 | $314.19 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $140.77 +8.21 | $148.98 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $808.56 | $736.26 +72.3 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $385.74 | $372.3 +13.44 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 45.35 Mbps | 50.95 Mbps +5.6 |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Madagascar. File confidently from abroad.
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