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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.40 LKR 1,455

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.17 LKR 8,325

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.76 LKR 2,567

Cappuccino

$2.55 LKR 842

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

$0.67 LKR 221

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.25 LKR 82.3

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.17 LKR 718

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.95 LKR 977

Milk (1 liter)

$1.62 LKR 537

White Bread (500g)

$0.57 LKR 190

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.78 LKR 259

Eggs

$1.64 LKR 544

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.87 LKR 4,256

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.09 LKR 1,683

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.04 LKR 2,330

Apples (1kg)

$6.84 LKR 2,262

Banana (1kg)

$0.82 LKR 271

Oranges (1kg)

$4.15 LKR 1,371

Tomato (1kg)

$1.26 LKR 417

Potato (1kg)

$0.99 LKR 327

Onion (1kg)

$0.76 LKR 250

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.87 LKR 287

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.45 LKR 150

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.46 LKR 3,458

Wine (Bottle)

$13.84 LKR 4,577

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.90 LKR 627

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.77 LKR 916

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.18 LKR 58.2

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$7.22 LKR 2,387

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.38 LKR 124

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.35 LKR 116

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.90 LKR 298

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.28 LKR 424

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

$37.0K LKR 12.2M

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

$40.4K LKR 13.3M

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

$54.6 LKR 18.0K

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

$4.07 LKR 1,346

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$21.09 LKR 6,974

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$14.25 LKR 4,711

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.83 LKR 1,928

Cinema Ticket

$4.40 LKR 1,456

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

$38.22 LKR 12.6K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,192 LKR 394.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$19.91 LKR 6,584

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$16.33 LKR 5,402

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$79.2 LKR 26.2K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$41.33 LKR 13.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$617 LKR 204.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$269 LKR 89.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,488 LKR 491.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$429 LKR 142.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,630 LKR 1.2M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,187 LKR 392.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$251 LKR 83.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.69

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

Last update for Arugam Bay: September 29, 2026

Last update for Colombo: September 28, 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.