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: $525 in Badulla versus $499 in Jaffna.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $847 in Badulla versus $699 in Jaffna.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,169 in Badulla versus $900 in Jaffna.

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

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.06 LKR 1,345

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$24.83 LKR 8,232

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.27 LKR 2,742

$4.93 LKR 1,636

67.75%

Cappuccino

$2.74 LKR 908

$3.32 LKR 1,101

-17.47%

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

$0.69 LKR 228

$0.52 LKR 172

32.69%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.41 LKR 134

$0.34 LKR 114

20.59%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.28 LKR 757

$3.44 LKR 1,139

-33.72%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.31 LKR 1,096

$6.61 LKR 2,193

-49.92%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.68 LKR 558

White Bread (500g)

$0.52 LKR 173

$0.50 LKR 166

4.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.71 LKR 236

$0.67 LKR 221

5.97%

Eggs

$2.11 LKR 701

$1.65 LKR 546

27.88%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.30 LKR 4,742

$4.96 LKR 1,646

188.31%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.94 LKR 1,305

$3.47 LKR 1,151

13.54%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.20 LKR 2,718

$6.60 LKR 2,187

24.24%

Apples (1kg)

$7.67 LKR 2,542

$4.12 LKR 1,366

86.17%

Banana (1kg)

$1.07 LKR 356

$0.57 LKR 188

87.72%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.81 LKR 1,926

$3.25 LKR 1,078

78.77%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.19 LKR 396

$1.70 LKR 563

-30.00%

Potato (1kg)

$1.15 LKR 382

$1.12 LKR 370

2.68%

Onion (1kg)

$1.40 LKR 464

$0.78 LKR 258

79.49%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.20 LKR 399

$0.65 LKR 216

84.62%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.61 LKR 201

$0.41 LKR 135

48.78%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.90 LKR 3,282

$12.80 LKR 4,245

-22.66%

Wine (Bottle)

$13.04 LKR 4,325

$17.84 LKR 5,914

-26.91%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.09 LKR 694

$2.86 LKR 948

-26.92%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.95 LKR 978

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.32 LKR 105

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.43 LKR 1,137

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.38 LKR 126

$0.51 LKR 169

-25.49%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.35 LKR 117

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.56 LKR 187

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 LKR 413

$1.01 LKR 336

23.76%

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

$26.7K LKR 8.9M

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

$34.4K LKR 11.4M

$51.2K LKR 17.0M

-32.73%

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

$59.5 LKR 19.7K

$50.8 LKR 16.8K

17.14%

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

$4.32 LKR 1,432

$3.37 LKR 1,117

28.19%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.03 LKR 4,985

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$6.81 LKR 2,257

Cinema Ticket

$3.29 LKR 1,092

$1.95 LKR 647

68.72%

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

$36.17 LKR 12.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$441 LKR 146.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.11 LKR 8,989

$40.42 LKR 13.4K

-32.93%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.48 LKR 6,459

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$68.3 LKR 22.6K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.27 LKR 12.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$167 LKR 55.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$152 LKR 50.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$254 LKR 84.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$217 LKR 72.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,547 LKR 1.5M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$760 LKR 251.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$228 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: May 31, 2026

Last update for Jaffna: May 31, 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 $787 in Badulla and $748 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 47% higher in Badulla. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $525 per month in Badulla versus $499 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.