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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.32 LKR 1,423

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.57 LKR 8,434

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.56 LKR 2,494

Cappuccino

$2.42 LKR 798

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

$0.69 LKR 226

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.25 LKR 82.3

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.25 LKR 742

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.95 LKR 973

Milk (1 liter)

$1.61 LKR 530

White Bread (500g)

$0.48 LKR 157

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.76 LKR 251

Eggs

$1.55 LKR 512

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.05 LKR 4,305

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.72 LKR 1,557

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.21 LKR 2,377

Apples (1kg)

$6.55 LKR 2,160

Banana (1kg)

$0.85 LKR 280

Oranges (1kg)

$4.41 LKR 1,456

Tomato (1kg)

$1.26 LKR 415

Potato (1kg)

$0.94 LKR 309

Onion (1kg)

$0.74 LKR 245

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.94 LKR 309

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.45 LKR 148

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.04 LKR 3,313

Wine (Bottle)

$13.17 LKR 4,345

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.94 LKR 640

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.65 LKR 873

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.17 LKR 55.8

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$7.09 LKR 2,339

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.38 LKR 125

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.35 LKR 115

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.87 LKR 288

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.30 LKR 428

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

$30.1K LKR 9.9M

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

$39.6K LKR 13.1M

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

$53.2 LKR 17.6K

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

$4.07 LKR 1,343

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.18 LKR 6,658

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$13.39 LKR 4,416

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.74 LKR 1,895

Cinema Ticket

$4.25 LKR 1,402

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

$36.98 LKR 12.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,176 LKR 387.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$19.87 LKR 6,556

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$16.71 LKR 5,514

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$78.4 LKR 25.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$42.59 LKR 14.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$504 LKR 166.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$226 LKR 74.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,283 LKR 423.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$374 LKR 123.3K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,587 LKR 1.2M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,155 LKR 381.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$235 LKR 77.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.69

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

Last update for Colombo: August 16, 2026

Last update for Arugam Bay: August 18, 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.