Cost of Living Comparison Between Badulla and Colombo Cost of Living Comparison Between Badulla and Colombo

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $521 in Badulla versus $718 in Colombo.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $848 in Badulla versus $1,153 in Colombo.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,174 in Badulla versus $1,588 in Colombo.

Living in Badulla costs roughly 27% less than in Colombo, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both cities sit below the global median: Badulla 61% lower, Colombo 46% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.97 LKR 1,335

$4.07 LKR 1,366

-2.46%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.09 LKR 8,431

$25.28 LKR 8,492

-0.75%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.56 LKR 2,877

$8.60 LKR 2,891

-0.47%

Cappuccino

$2.71 LKR 911

$2.71 LKR 909

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

$0.68 LKR 229

$0.69 LKR 232

-1.45%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 LKR 126

$0.40 LKR 136

-7.50%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.30 LKR 771

$2.27 LKR 764

1.32%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.43 LKR 1,153

$3.27 LKR 1,099

4.89%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.60 LKR 539

$1.70 LKR 571

-5.88%

White Bread (500g)

$0.56 LKR 189

$0.55 LKR 185

1.82%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.69 LKR 232

$0.88 LKR 295

-21.59%

Eggs

$2.12 LKR 711

$2.14 LKR 721

-0.93%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.04 LKR 4,717

$13.88 LKR 4,662

1.15%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.95 LKR 1,326

$4.78 LKR 1,606

-17.36%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.85 LKR 2,637

$8.09 LKR 2,717

-2.97%

Apples (1kg)

$7.41 LKR 2,489

$7.65 LKR 2,570

-3.14%

Banana (1kg)

$1.08 LKR 361

$1.07 LKR 359

0.93%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.93 LKR 1,993

$5.84 LKR 1,963

1.54%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.21 LKR 405

$1.25 LKR 421

-3.20%

Potato (1kg)

$1.16 LKR 390

$1.14 LKR 384

1.75%

Onion (1kg)

$1.42 LKR 477

$1.36 LKR 458

4.41%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.19 LKR 399

$1.20 LKR 403

-0.83%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.60 LKR 200

$0.56 LKR 190

7.14%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.14 LKR 3,408

$9.99 LKR 3,358

1.50%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.66 LKR 4,253

$12.70 LKR 4,266

-0.31%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.99 LKR 670

$2.09 LKR 702

-4.78%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.98 LKR 1,000

$2.90 LKR 974

2.76%

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)

$0.33 LKR 110

$0.35 LKR 119

-5.71%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.58 LKR 195

$0.62 LKR 207

-6.45%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.21 LKR 407

$1.19 LKR 401

1.68%

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

$26.8K LKR 9.0M

$27.2K LKR 9.1M

-1.28%

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

$34.6K LKR 11.6M

$34.3K LKR 11.5M

1.06%

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

$60.5 LKR 20.3K

$59.6 LKR 20.0K

1.51%

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

$4.43 LKR 1,487

$4.30 LKR 1,444

3.02%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.09 LKR 5,069

$15.37 LKR 5,165

-1.82%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$14.83 LKR 4,984

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.39 LKR 2,484

Cinema Ticket

$3.26 LKR 1,096

$3.28 LKR 1,103

-0.61%

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

$36.66 LKR 12.3K

$36.45 LKR 12.2K

0.58%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$446 LKR 149.7K

$442 LKR 148.5K

0.82%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.48 LKR 9,234

$27.73 LKR 9,318

-0.90%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.67 LKR 6,607

$19.12 LKR 6,425

2.88%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$68.6 LKR 23.0K

$69.2 LKR 23.2K

-0.85%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.59 LKR 13.0K

$39.30 LKR 13.2K

-1.81%

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)

$4,419 LKR 1.5M

$3,586 LKR 1.2M

23.23%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$739 LKR 248.2K

$1,156 LKR 388.5K

-36.10%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$225 LKR 75.5K

$251 LKR 84.2K

-10.32%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

16.45

-27.05%

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

Last update for Badulla: July 12, 2026

Last update for Colombo: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Colombo pays 12% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $25.00 in Badulla vs $25.00 in Colombo for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $251 vs $258 per month, with Badulla cheaper across the board.

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

Badulla vs Colombo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Badulla is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 38% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

On paper, salaries run 12% lower in Colombo. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.

Childcare runs $36.66 in Badulla versus $36.45 in Colombo. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.

Dining out is cheaper in Badulla – a meal for two runs $25.00 versus $25.00 in Colombo. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Badulla gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

For families, Badulla is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Colombo, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.

Safety-wise, Badulla and Colombo are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Badulla gentler on the wallet – expenses run 38% less than in Colombo. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.