Cost of Living Comparison Between Anuradhapura and Colombo Cost of Living Comparison Between Anuradhapura and Colombo

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $489 per month in Anuradhapura vs $717 in Colombo, rent included.

A couple spends around $823 per month in Anuradhapura vs $1,166 in Colombo, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,157 per month in Anuradhapura vs $1,615 in Colombo, rent included.

Anuradhapura is about 32% cheaper than Colombo, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Anuradhapura and Colombo are more affordable than the global median – Anuradhapura 63% lower, Colombo 46% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.91 LKR 1,296

$4.13 LKR 1,369

-5.33%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.39 LKR 8,419

$25.16 LKR 8,344

0.91%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.41 LKR 2,788

$8.20 LKR 2,719

2.56%

Cappuccino

$2.63 LKR 871

$2.66 LKR 882

-1.13%

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

$0.69 LKR 229

$0.68 LKR 224

1.47%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.38 LKR 125

$0.41 LKR 135

-7.32%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.38 LKR 791

$2.39 LKR 793

-0.42%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.39 LKR 1,125

$3.43 LKR 1,136

-1.17%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.72 LKR 572

$1.73 LKR 574

-0.58%

White Bread (500g)

$0.56 LKR 186

$0.53 LKR 175

5.66%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.85 LKR 283

$0.83 LKR 274

2.41%

Eggs

$2.22 LKR 736

$2.23 LKR 739

-0.45%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.83 LKR 4,587

$14.02 LKR 4,648

-1.36%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.69 LKR 1,555

$4.65 LKR 1,543

0.86%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.02 LKR 2,659

$8.01 LKR 2,657

0.12%

Apples (1kg)

$7.26 LKR 2,406

$7.37 LKR 2,444

-1.49%

Banana (1kg)

$1.11 LKR 368

$1.12 LKR 371

-0.89%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.91 LKR 1,958

$5.83 LKR 1,934

1.37%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.24 LKR 411

$1.25 LKR 414

-0.80%

Potato (1kg)

$1.10 LKR 364

$1.14 LKR 379

-3.51%

Onion (1kg)

$1.42 LKR 471

$1.42 LKR 470

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.15 LKR 382

$1.14 LKR 379

0.88%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.60 LKR 200

$0.59 LKR 196

1.69%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.18 LKR 3,377

$10.01 LKR 3,321

1.70%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.77 LKR 4,236

$12.73 LKR 4,220

0.31%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.07 LKR 685

$2.11 LKR 699

-1.90%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.87 LKR 953

$2.97 LKR 985

-3.37%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.14 LKR 48.01

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$5.09 LKR 1,687

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.39 LKR 128

$0.38 LKR 128

2.63%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.35 LKR 117

$0.33 LKR 109

6.06%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.56 LKR 186

$0.60 LKR 199

-6.67%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 LKR 396

$1.26 LKR 416

-4.76%

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

$27.1K LKR 9.0M

$26.8K LKR 8.9M

1.11%

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

$35.3K LKR 11.7M

$35.2K LKR 11.7M

0.25%

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

$26.43 LKR 8,764

$60.5 LKR 20.1K

-56.31%

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

$3.25 LKR 1,079

$4.27 LKR 1,416

-23.89%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$14.92 LKR 4,948

$15.34 LKR 5,086

-2.74%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$14.79 LKR 4,903

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.11 LKR 2,358

Cinema Ticket

$3.29 LKR 1,090

$3.28 LKR 1,086

0.30%

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

$36.52 LKR 12.1K

$37.28 LKR 12.4K

-2.04%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$439 LKR 145.7K

$444 LKR 147.1K

-1.00%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$28.02 LKR 9,292

$27.15 LKR 9,002

3.20%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.62 LKR 6,504

$19.13 LKR 6,344

2.56%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$69.8 LKR 23.1K

$70.7 LKR 23.4K

-1.27%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$39.00 LKR 12.9K

$38.24 LKR 12.7K

1.99%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$379 LKR 125.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$178 LKR 59.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$937 LKR 310.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$361 LKR 119.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,724 LKR 1.2M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,189 LKR 394.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$247 LKR 82.1K

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 Anuradhapura: June 1, 2026

Last update for Colombo: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A mid-range dinner for two costs $25.00 in Anuradhapura versus $25.00 in Colombo. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $257 vs $257 – making Anuradhapura the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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

Anuradhapura vs Colombo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $489 in Anuradhapura, $717 in Colombo – roughly 47% apart. Colombo costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $734 per month in Anuradhapura and $1,076 in Colombo. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $25.00 in Anuradhapura and $25.00 in Colombo. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 0% more in Colombo, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $489 in Anuradhapura and $717 in Colombo, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

It depends on your priorities. Colombo has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $489 in Anuradhapura to $717 in Colombo. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Anuradhapura. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Colombo makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.