Cost of Living Comparison Between Arugam Bay and Colombo Cost of Living Comparison Between Arugam Bay and Colombo

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.98 LKR 1,326

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.39 LKR 8,469

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.59 LKR 2,865

Cappuccino

$2.61 LKR 872

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

$0.73 LKR 242

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.38 LKR 126

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.30 LKR 769

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.26 LKR 1,087

Milk (1 liter)

$1.69 LKR 564

White Bread (500g)

$0.56 LKR 186

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.82 LKR 274

Eggs

$2.21 LKR 738

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.16 LKR 4,724

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.74 LKR 1,581

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.28 LKR 2,761

Apples (1kg)

$7.44 LKR 2,480

Banana (1kg)

$1.11 LKR 370

Oranges (1kg)

$5.89 LKR 1,966

Tomato (1kg)

$1.20 LKR 400

Potato (1kg)

$1.16 LKR 387

Onion (1kg)

$1.36 LKR 452

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.19 LKR 396

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.60 LKR 201

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.17 LKR 3,392

Wine (Bottle)

$12.86 LKR 4,290

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.11 LKR 703

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.99 LKR 997

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)

$0.39 LKR 129

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.35 LKR 117

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.56 LKR 188

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.26 LKR 421

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

$26.8K LKR 9.0M

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

$34.7K LKR 11.6M

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

$60.9 LKR 20.3K

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

$4.29 LKR 1,433

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$14.85 LKR 4,954

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$14.58 LKR 4,862

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.44 LKR 2,482

Cinema Ticket

$3.28 LKR 1,093

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

$36.45 LKR 12.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$440 LKR 146.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$28.09 LKR 9,369

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.63 LKR 6,549

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$70.0 LKR 23.3K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.80 LKR 12.9K

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)

$240 LKR 80.0K

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 Arugam Bay: June 8, 2026

Last update for Colombo: June 8, 2026

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

Arugam Bay vs Colombo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Families tend to lean toward Arugam Bay – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Arugam Bay. 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.