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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.08 LKR 1,302

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$24.75 LKR 7,894

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.12 LKR 2,591

Cappuccino

$2.74 LKR 874

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

$0.68 LKR 216

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.40 LKR 129

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.28 LKR 726

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.28 LKR 1,047

Milk (1 liter)

$1.75 LKR 559

White Bread (500g)

$0.56 LKR 180

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.82 LKR 261

Eggs

$2.12 LKR 677

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.20 LKR 4,529

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.69 LKR 1,496

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.89 LKR 2,515

Apples (1kg)

$7.39 LKR 2,355

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 LKR 339

Oranges (1kg)

$5.68 LKR 1,812

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 3,159

Wine (Bottle)

$12.46 LKR 3,974

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.04 LKR 649

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.83 LKR 904

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

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.35 LKR 112

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.62 LKR 197

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 LKR 381

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 1,398

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.01 LKR 4,788

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

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

$37.27 LKR 11.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$433 LKR 138.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$28.07 LKR 8,951

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.31 LKR 6,158

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 117.2K

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

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 Arugam Bay: 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

Colombo vs Arugam Bay: 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.