Skyline of Ambanja
Cost of Living: 65 100,000

Ambanja, Madagascar

Ambanja is a major city in Madagascar with a population of 100,000.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Ambanja is a city in Diana with a population of 100,000. Ambanja is a major city in Madagascar with a population of 100,000. Housing is more affordable than the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 7b growing zone supports Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees. A relatively small share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, with about 270 sunny days a year. The population skews young, with a median age of 20.0.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 65

Below Average vs Madagascar Avg (100)

Housing Index 70

Affordable

Median Income Ar 2,000,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Ambanja vs Madagascar Average

Cost of Living
Ambanja: 65
Madagascar Avg: 100
Housing Index
Ambanja: 70
Madagascar Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 20.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: Ar 2,000,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 100,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 270/year
  • Summer High: 86°F
  • Winter Low: 70°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7b

Housing

  • Median Home: Ar50,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: Ar150000/mo

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Cost of Living

Ambanja's cost of living index is 65 (Madagascar average = 100).

CategoryAmbanjaNational AverageDifference
Overall65100-35.0%
Housing70100-30.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceAr50,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)Ar150000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)Ar187,500/mo
Price per Sq FtAr33,333

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

Ar
%
$90,000 down
%
%
Ar

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Ambanja:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityAr50000
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)Ar38Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterAr15000Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)Ar30000Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesAr95038Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Ambanja scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 65
Rent
— Ar150000
Sunny Days
— 270
Tax
— None
Unemployment
— 5.0%
Climate
— 86°F / 70°F
Safety
— 7.5 homicides/100k
Population
— 100,000
Internet Speed
— 8 Mbps

Climate

Ambanja has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January90°F70°F2.5"
April71°F85°F2.8"
July86°F61°F1.5"
October66°F88°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7b

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Ambanja faces the following natural hazards:

Cyclone Extreme Risk

Frequently affected by cyclones.

Flood High Risk

Cyclone-induced floods.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 20%
  • Property Tax: ~0.1% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.0%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Academic Year October to July/August
Term System Trimester — 1st (Oct-Dec), 2nd (Jan-Apr), 3rd (May-Jul)
Summer Break July/August to October (10 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break Easter holiday in March/April (2 weeks)

French-influenced education system. School year starts in October.

Demographics

The population of Ambanja is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Betsileo
12.0%
Betsimisaraka
15.0%
Merina
26.0%
Other
47.0%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.0%
High school graduate
25.0%
Less than high school
50.0%
Some college
10.0%

Religion

Christian
41.0%
Folk
50.0%
Muslim
7.0%
Other
2.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Institut National de la Statistique (2018)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Ambanja, Madagascar?

The cost of living index in Ambanja is 65, which is Lower the Madagascar national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Ambanja?

The median home price in Ambanja is Ar50,000,000. The housing index is 70.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Ambanja is approximately Ar150000/mo.

Does Ambanja, Diana have income tax?

Ambanja is in Diana, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Ambanja?

Ambanja enjoys approximately 270 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 86°F, while winter lows can drop to around 70°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.