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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $496 per month in Anuradhapura vs $718 in Colombo, rent included.

A couple spends around $831 per month in Anuradhapura vs $1,153 in Colombo, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,167 per month in Anuradhapura vs $1,588 in Colombo, rent included.

Anuradhapura is about 31% 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

$4.03 LKR 1,355

$4.07 LKR 1,366

-0.98%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$24.97 LKR 8,390

$25.28 LKR 8,492

-1.23%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.21 LKR 2,760

$8.60 LKR 2,891

-4.53%

Cappuccino

$2.73 LKR 919

$2.71 LKR 909

0.74%

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

$0.72 LKR 243

$0.69 LKR 232

4.35%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.40 LKR 135

$0.40 LKR 136

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.28 LKR 765

$2.27 LKR 764

0.44%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.38 LKR 1,134

$3.27 LKR 1,099

3.36%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 LKR 573

$1.70 LKR 571

0.59%

White Bread (500g)

$0.55 LKR 185

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.80 LKR 270

$0.88 LKR 295

-9.09%

Eggs

$2.23 LKR 750

$2.14 LKR 721

4.21%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.26 LKR 4,792

$13.88 LKR 4,662

2.74%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.72 LKR 1,587

$4.78 LKR 1,606

-1.26%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.28 LKR 2,782

$8.09 LKR 2,717

2.35%

Apples (1kg)

$7.61 LKR 2,556

$7.65 LKR 2,570

-0.52%

Banana (1kg)

$1.08 LKR 363

$1.07 LKR 359

0.93%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.69 LKR 1,912

$5.84 LKR 1,963

-2.57%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.20 LKR 402

$1.25 LKR 421

-4.00%

Potato (1kg)

$1.11 LKR 373

$1.14 LKR 384

-2.63%

Onion (1kg)

$1.40 LKR 472

$1.36 LKR 458

2.94%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.16 LKR 389

$1.20 LKR 403

-3.33%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 LKR 188

$0.56 LKR 190

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.92 LKR 3,332

$9.99 LKR 3,358

-0.70%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.49 LKR 4,196

$12.70 LKR 4,266

-1.65%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.09 LKR 703

$2.09 LKR 702

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.87 LKR 963

$2.90 LKR 974

-1.03%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.16 LKR 54.7

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$4.93 LKR 1,657

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.39 LKR 130

$0.38 LKR 129

2.63%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.36 LKR 120

$0.35 LKR 119

2.86%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.61 LKR 206

$0.62 LKR 207

-1.61%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.21 LKR 407

$1.19 LKR 401

1.68%

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

$27.1K LKR 9.1M

$27.2K LKR 9.1M

-0.20%

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

$35.0K LKR 11.8M

$34.3K LKR 11.5M

2.22%

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

$27.06 LKR 9,092

$59.6 LKR 20.0K

-54.60%

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

$3.41 LKR 1,147

$4.30 LKR 1,444

-20.70%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.08 LKR 5,067

$15.37 LKR 5,165

-1.89%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$14.83 LKR 4,984

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.39 LKR 2,484

Cinema Ticket

$3.41 LKR 1,146

$3.28 LKR 1,103

3.96%

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

$37.37 LKR 12.6K

$36.45 LKR 12.2K

2.52%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$447 LKR 150.3K

$442 LKR 148.5K

1.22%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.71 LKR 9,310

$27.73 LKR 9,318

-0.07%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.27 LKR 6,475

$19.12 LKR 6,425

0.78%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$70.5 LKR 23.7K

$69.2 LKR 23.2K

1.89%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.87 LKR 13.1K

$39.30 LKR 13.2K

-1.09%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$368 LKR 123.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$173 LKR 58.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$971 LKR 326.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$369 LKR 123.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,586 LKR 1.2M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,156 LKR 388.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$251 LKR 84.2K

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: July 12, 2026

Last update for Colombo: July 11, 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: $258 vs $258 – 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: $496 in Anuradhapura, $718 in Colombo – roughly 45% apart. Colombo costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $744 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 $496 in Anuradhapura and $718 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 $496 in Anuradhapura to $718 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.