Side-by-side city decision # Antananarivo vs Santa Teresa. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link AntananarivoMadagascar1/6 VS Santa TeresaCosta Rica4/6 $635Antananarivo monthly budget $2,400Santa Teresa monthly budget 28 MbpsAntananarivo internet 70 MbpsSanta Teresa internet Decision summary Santa Teresa Santa Teresa leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Antananarivo Speed Fastest internet Santa Teresa Vibe Best nomad vibe Santa Teresa Safety Highest safety Santa Teresa Air Cleanest air Santa Teresa Walk Most walkable Tie Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Antananarivo](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/madagascar/antananarivo.md) Madagascar 1/6 Budget$635 Internet28 Mbps Vibe6/10 [Santa Teresa](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/costa-rica/santa-teresa.md) Costa Rica 4/6 Budget$2,400 Internet70 Mbps Vibe9/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals MetricAntananarivoSanta Teresa Total estimated budget $635 $2,400 1-bed center rent $330 $1,400 Coworking desk $120 $250 Local meal $2.8 $10 Cappuccino $1.7 $3.8 Gym membership $35 $70 Transport budget $25 $150 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricAntananarivoSanta Teresa Internet speed 28 Mbps 70 Mbps Nomad vibe 6/10 9/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricAntananarivoSanta Teresa Safety index 38/100 72/100 Air quality 55/100 88/100 Walkability 5/10 5/10 Female safety 4/10 7/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 3/10 8/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricAntananarivoSanta Teresa Healthcare quality Average Average English proficiency Basic Good Climate type Subtropical highland Tropical savanna Best time to visit Apr - Oct Dec - Apr Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Antananarivo](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/madagascar/antananarivo.md) Madagascar → ### Strengths * Very low day-to-day costs by global capital-city standards * Cooler highland climate than much of tropical Madagascar * Distinct Malagasy culture, markets, and food * Easy access to remarkable nature and weekend escapes * French-speaking environment useful for language learners * Friendly local hospitality and a small expat network ### Trade-offs * Traffic congestion can make short trips unexpectedly slow * Internet and electricity reliability vary sharply by neighborhood * Petty theft and robbery require consistent precautions * Limited English is spoken outside international businesses * Tap water is not safe to drink * Healthcare options are limited for serious medical needs ### Common visa routes * Tourist visa on arrival or eVisa for up to 30 days * Extendable tourist visa for stays up to 90 days * Long-stay visa or residence permit for qualifying work, investment, or family cases [Santa Teresa](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/costa-rica/santa-teresa.md) Costa Rica → ### Strengths * World-class surf beaches and year-round outdoor lifestyle * Large, social international remote-worker community * Strong café, wellness, yoga, and coworking scene * Warm weather and spectacular sunsets * English is widely spoken in tourism-facing businesses * Relaxed small-town atmosphere with excellent nature access ### Trade-offs * Rental prices are high for a small, remote beach town * A scooter or ATV is often needed to get around * Roads become muddy, rough, and difficult in the rainy season * Internet and power reliability vary considerably by property * Limited medical facilities and services locally * Groceries, imported products, and nightlife can be expensive ### Common visa routes * Tourist entry permission, commonly granted for up to 180 days at the immigration officer's discretion * Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa for qualifying remote workers, valid for one year and renewable * Temporary residence routes such as rentista, investor, or family-based residency Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.