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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.08 LKR 1,301

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$24.75 LKR 7,886

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.12 LKR 2,589

Cappuccino

$2.74 LKR 873

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

$0.68 LKR 216

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.40 LKR 128

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.28 LKR 725

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.28 LKR 1,046

Milk (1 liter)

$1.75 LKR 559

White Bread (500g)

$0.56 LKR 180

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.82 LKR 260

Eggs

$2.12 LKR 677

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.20 LKR 4,525

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.69 LKR 1,495

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.89 LKR 2,513

Apples (1kg)

$7.39 LKR 2,353

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 LKR 338

Oranges (1kg)

$5.68 LKR 1,810

Tomato (1kg)

$1.22 LKR 389

Potato (1kg)

$1.16 LKR 369

Onion (1kg)

$1.40 LKR 447

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.18 LKR 377

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 LKR 182

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.90 LKR 3,156

Wine (Bottle)

$12.46 LKR 3,970

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.04 LKR 648

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.83 LKR 903

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.18 LKR 58.6

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$5.09 LKR 1,621

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.39 LKR 123

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.35 LKR 112

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.62 LKR 197

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 LKR 380

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

$27.3K LKR 8.7M

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

$34.2K LKR 10.9M

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

$60.9 LKR 19.4K

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

$4.38 LKR 1,397

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.01 LKR 4,783

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$14.68 LKR 4,678

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.46 LKR 2,376

Cinema Ticket

$3.44 LKR 1,095

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

$37.27 LKR 11.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$433 LKR 137.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$28.07 LKR 8,943

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.31 LKR 6,152

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$70.5 LKR 22.5K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.98 LKR 12.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$368 LKR 117.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$179 LKR 57.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$970 LKR 309.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$364 LKR 115.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,591 LKR 1.1M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,225 LKR 390.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$241 LKR 76.6K

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: April 26, 2026

Last update for Colombo: April 26, 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.