Cost of Living Comparison Between Badulla and Jaffna Cost of Living Comparison Between Badulla and Jaffna

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $521 in Badulla versus $496 in Jaffna.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $848 in Badulla versus $684 in Jaffna.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,174 in Badulla versus $872 in Jaffna.

Living in Badulla is roughly 5% more expensive than in Jaffna, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Badulla 61% lower, Jaffna 63% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.97 LKR 1,335

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.09 LKR 8,431

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.56 LKR 2,877

$5.09 LKR 1,712

68.17%

Cappuccino

$2.71 LKR 911

$3.43 LKR 1,152

-20.99%

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

$0.68 LKR 229

$0.48 LKR 161

41.67%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 LKR 126

$0.32 LKR 107

15.62%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.30 LKR 771

$3.32 LKR 1,116

-30.72%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.43 LKR 1,153

$6.84 LKR 2,299

-49.85%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.60 LKR 539

White Bread (500g)

$0.56 LKR 189

$0.50 LKR 168

12.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.69 LKR 232

$0.71 LKR 237

-2.82%

Eggs

$2.12 LKR 711

$1.58 LKR 531

34.18%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.04 LKR 4,717

$4.99 LKR 1,675

181.36%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.95 LKR 1,326

$3.43 LKR 1,154

15.16%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.85 LKR 2,637

$6.55 LKR 2,199

19.85%

Apples (1kg)

$7.41 LKR 2,489

$4.07 LKR 1,367

82.06%

Banana (1kg)

$1.08 LKR 361

$0.52 LKR 173

107.69%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.93 LKR 1,993

$3.41 LKR 1,146

73.90%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.21 LKR 405

$1.63 LKR 549

-25.77%

Potato (1kg)

$1.16 LKR 390

$1.11 LKR 373

4.50%

Onion (1kg)

$1.42 LKR 477

$0.78 LKR 263

82.05%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.19 LKR 399

$0.69 LKR 231

72.46%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.60 LKR 200

$0.44 LKR 146

36.36%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.14 LKR 3,408

$12.96 LKR 4,354

-21.76%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.66 LKR 4,253

$17.81 LKR 5,985

-28.92%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.99 LKR 670

$2.86 LKR 962

-30.42%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.98 LKR 1,000

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.32 LKR 107

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.33 LKR 1,118

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.39 LKR 130

$0.51 LKR 172

-23.53%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.33 LKR 110

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.58 LKR 195

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.21 LKR 407

$1.02 LKR 342

18.63%

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)

$34.6K LKR 11.6M

$50.1K LKR 16.8M

-30.87%

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

$60.5 LKR 20.3K

$49.29 LKR 16.6K

22.74%

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

$4.43 LKR 1,487

$3.27 LKR 1,099

35.47%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.09 LKR 5,069

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$6.59 LKR 2,216

Cinema Ticket

$3.26 LKR 1,096

$2.03 LKR 681

60.59%

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

$36.66 LKR 12.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$446 LKR 149.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.48 LKR 9,234

$39.62 LKR 13.3K

-30.64%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.67 LKR 6,607

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$68.6 LKR 23.0K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.59 LKR 13.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$165 LKR 55.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$150 LKR 50.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$247 LKR 83.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$215 LKR 72.3K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,419 LKR 1.5M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$739 LKR 248.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$225 LKR 75.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Badulla: July 12, 2026

Last update for Jaffna: July 13, 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

Badulla vs Jaffna: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Jaffna is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 5% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $782 in Badulla and $744 in Jaffna to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Supermarket bills run roughly 44% higher in Badulla. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $521 per month in Badulla versus $496 in Jaffna – a 5% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Jaffna gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Safety-wise, Badulla and Jaffna 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 Jaffna gentler on the wallet – expenses run 5% less than in Badulla. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.