Cost of Living Comparison Between Colombo and Amparai Cost of Living Comparison Between Colombo and Amparai

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $733 in Colombo versus $516 in Amparai.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,166 in Colombo versus $855 in Amparai.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,598 in Colombo versus $1,193 in Amparai.

Living in Colombo is roughly 42% more expensive than Amparai, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both cities sit below the global median: Colombo 45% lower, Amparai 61% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.08 LKR 1,302

$3.99 LKR 1,272

2.26%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$24.75 LKR 7,894

$25.60 LKR 8,165

-3.32%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.12 LKR 2,591

$8.23 LKR 2,623

-1.34%

Cappuccino

$2.74 LKR 874

$2.64 LKR 843

3.79%

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

$0.68 LKR 216

$0.68 LKR 217

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.40 LKR 129

$0.40 LKR 128

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.28 LKR 726

$2.37 LKR 757

-3.80%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.28 LKR 1,047

$3.31 LKR 1,057

-0.91%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.75 LKR 559

$1.78 LKR 567

-1.69%

White Bread (500g)

$0.56 LKR 180

$0.53 LKR 169

5.66%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.82 LKR 261

$0.83 LKR 264

-1.20%

Eggs

$2.12 LKR 677

$2.18 LKR 696

-2.75%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.20 LKR 4,529

$13.88 LKR 4,427

2.31%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.69 LKR 1,496

$4.69 LKR 1,497

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.89 LKR 2,515

$7.95 LKR 2,534

-0.75%

Apples (1kg)

$7.39 LKR 2,355

$7.30 LKR 2,328

1.23%

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 LKR 339

$1.06 LKR 337

Oranges (1kg)

$5.68 LKR 1,812

$5.87 LKR 1,872

-3.24%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.22 LKR 389

$1.26 LKR 403

-3.17%

Potato (1kg)

$1.16 LKR 369

$1.12 LKR 357

3.57%

Onion (1kg)

$1.40 LKR 447

$1.36 LKR 434

2.94%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.18 LKR 377

$1.20 LKR 382

-1.67%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 LKR 182

$0.55 LKR 176

3.64%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.90 LKR 3,159

$10.21 LKR 3,256

-3.04%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.46 LKR 3,974

$12.47 LKR 3,978

-0.08%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.04 LKR 649

$2.07 LKR 659

-1.45%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.83 LKR 904

$2.97 LKR 946

-4.71%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.18 LKR 58.7

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$5.09 LKR 1,622

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.39 LKR 123

$0.39 LKR 124

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.35 LKR 112

$0.33 LKR 104

6.06%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.62 LKR 197

$0.61 LKR 195

1.64%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 LKR 381

$1.24 LKR 397

-4.03%

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

$27.3K LKR 8.7M

$26.3K LKR 8.4M

3.81%

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

$34.2K LKR 10.9M

$34.8K LKR 11.1M

-1.73%

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

$60.9 LKR 19.4K

$61.3 LKR 19.6K

-0.67%

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

$4.38 LKR 1,398

$4.26 LKR 1,360

2.82%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.01 LKR 4,788

$15.10 LKR 4,817

-0.60%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$14.68 LKR 4,682

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.46 LKR 2,379

Cinema Ticket

$3.44 LKR 1,096

$2.04 LKR 651

68.63%

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

$37.27 LKR 11.9K

$37.05 LKR 11.8K

0.59%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$433 LKR 138.0K

$435 LKR 138.8K

-0.57%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$28.07 LKR 8,951

$28.04 LKR 8,941

0.11%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.31 LKR 6,158

$19.62 LKR 6,257

-1.58%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$70.5 LKR 22.5K

$70.8 LKR 22.6K

-0.45%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.98 LKR 12.4K

$39.37 LKR 12.6K

-0.99%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$368 LKR 117.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$179 LKR 57.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$970 LKR 309.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$364 LKR 116.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,591 LKR 1.1M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,225 LKR 390.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$241 LKR 76.7K

$95.2 LKR 30.4K

152.52%

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 Colombo: April 26, 2026

Last update for Amparai: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Colombo pays 153% 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 Colombo vs $26.00 in Amparai for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $255 vs $255 per month, with Colombo 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

Colombo vs Amparai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Amparai is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 42% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

Colombo pays 153% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.

Childcare runs $37.27 in Colombo versus $37.05 in Amparai. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.

Dining out is cheaper in Amparai – a meal for two runs $26.00 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 Amparai gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

For families, Amparai 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.

Expats usually find Amparai gentler on the wallet – expenses run 42% less than in Colombo. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.