Cost of Living Comparison Between Amparai and Colombo Cost of Living Comparison Between Amparai and Colombo

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $531 in Amparai versus $725 in Colombo.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $865 in Amparai versus $1,160 in Colombo.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,199 in Amparai versus $1,595 in Colombo.

Living in Amparai costs roughly 27% less than in Colombo, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both cities sit below the global median: Amparai 60% lower, Colombo 46% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.97 LKR 1,326

$3.98 LKR 1,326

-0.25%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$24.96 LKR 8,327

$25.39 LKR 8,469

-1.69%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.51 LKR 2,838

$8.59 LKR 2,865

-0.93%

Cappuccino

$2.64 LKR 879

$2.61 LKR 872

1.15%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.69 LKR 230

$0.73 LKR 242

-5.48%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.40 LKR 134

$0.38 LKR 126

5.26%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.38 LKR 795

$2.30 LKR 769

3.48%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.27 LKR 1,091

$3.26 LKR 1,087

0.31%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.77 LKR 592

$1.69 LKR 564

4.73%

White Bread (500g)

$0.52 LKR 173

$0.56 LKR 186

-7.14%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.87 LKR 291

$0.82 LKR 274

6.10%

Eggs

$2.22 LKR 739

$2.21 LKR 738

0.45%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.25 LKR 4,753

$14.16 LKR 4,724

0.64%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.63 LKR 1,545

$4.74 LKR 1,581

-2.32%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.83 LKR 2,612

$8.28 LKR 2,761

-5.43%

Apples (1kg)

$7.38 LKR 2,460

$7.44 LKR 2,480

-0.81%

Banana (1kg)

$1.07 LKR 356

$1.11 LKR 370

-3.60%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.94 LKR 1,980

$5.89 LKR 1,966

0.85%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.19 LKR 398

$1.20 LKR 400

-0.83%

Potato (1kg)

$1.11 LKR 370

$1.16 LKR 387

-4.31%

Onion (1kg)

$1.42 LKR 474

$1.36 LKR 452

4.41%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.20 LKR 399

$1.19 LKR 396

0.84%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.60 LKR 199

$0.60 LKR 201

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.89 LKR 3,300

$10.17 LKR 3,392

-2.75%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.52 LKR 4,177

$12.86 LKR 4,290

-2.64%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.02 LKR 674

$2.11 LKR 703

-4.27%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.97 LKR 992

$2.99 LKR 997

-0.67%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.19 LKR 64.5

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$4.96 LKR 1,656

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.38 LKR 128

$0.39 LKR 129

-2.56%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.32 LKR 108

$0.35 LKR 117

-8.57%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.60 LKR 201

$0.56 LKR 188

7.14%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 LKR 399

$1.26 LKR 421

-4.76%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$26.4K LKR 8.8M

$26.8K LKR 9.0M

-1.67%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$35.4K LKR 11.8M

$34.7K LKR 11.6M

2.16%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$59.2 LKR 19.7K

$60.9 LKR 20.3K

-2.86%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$4.27 LKR 1,425

$4.29 LKR 1,433

-0.47%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.38 LKR 5,131

$14.85 LKR 4,954

3.57%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$14.58 LKR 4,862

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.44 LKR 2,482

Cinema Ticket

$1.99 LKR 663

$3.28 LKR 1,093

-39.33%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$36.29 LKR 12.1K

$36.45 LKR 12.2K

-0.44%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$448 LKR 149.3K

$440 LKR 146.8K

1.71%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.47 LKR 9,162

$28.09 LKR 9,369

-2.21%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.33 LKR 6,447

$19.63 LKR 6,549

-1.53%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$68.5 LKR 22.9K

$70.0 LKR 23.3K

-2.07%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.28 LKR 12.8K

$38.80 LKR 12.9K

-1.34%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$366 LKR 122.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$174 LKR 58.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$937 LKR 312.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$366 LKR 122.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,583 LKR 1.2M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,157 LKR 385.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$88.0 LKR 29.3K

$240 LKR 80.0K

-63.34%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

16.45

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Amparai: June 9, 2026

Last update for Colombo: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Colombo pays 173% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $25.00 in Amparai vs $25.00 in Colombo for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $257 vs $259 per month, with Amparai cheaper across the board.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Amparai vs Colombo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Amparai is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 36% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

On paper, Colombo earns 173% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.

Childcare runs $36.29 in Amparai versus $36.45 in Colombo. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.

Dining out is cheaper in Amparai – a meal for two runs $25.00 versus $25.00 in Colombo. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Amparai gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

For families, Amparai is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Colombo, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.

Expats usually find Amparai gentler on the wallet – expenses run 36% less than in Colombo. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.