🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $590 in Hikkaduwa versus $639 in Jiaxing.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,125 in Hikkaduwa versus $1,087 in Jiaxing.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,660 in Hikkaduwa versus $1,535 in Jiaxing.
🌍Living in Hikkaduwa costs roughly 8% less than in Jiaxing, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Hikkaduwa56% lower, Jiaxing52% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hikkaduwa
Jiaxing
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.05LKR 1,361
$2.78¥18.81
45.68%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.51LKR 8,571
$20.62¥140
23.71%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.38LKR 2,816
$4.85¥32.83
72.78%
Cappuccino
$2.65LKR 890
$3.15¥21.29
-15.87%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72LKR 243
$0.42¥2.82
71.43%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34LKR 115
$0.24¥1.61
41.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.33LKR 783
$0.72¥4.85
223.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.32LKR 1,114
$1.76¥11.89
88.64%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hikkaduwa
Jiaxing
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.76LKR 593
$2.32¥15.71
-24.14%
White Bread(500g)
$0.52LKR 176
$1.93¥13.04
-73.06%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.88LKR 295
$0.58¥3.93
51.72%
Eggs
$2.22LKR 747
$1.53¥10.37
45.10%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.29LKR 4,801
$7.09¥48.01
101.55%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.78LKR 1,606
$2.85¥19.32
67.72%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.87LKR 2,645
$9.18¥62.1
-14.27%
Apples(1kg)
$7.42LKR 2,492
$1.56¥10.56
375.64%
Banana(1kg)
$0.32LKR 107
$1.23¥8.33
-73.98%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.75LKR 923
$1.14¥7.73
141.23%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.98LKR 331
$1.15¥7.77
-14.78%
Potato(1kg)
$1.16LKR 391
$0.60¥4.04
93.33%
Onion(1kg)
$0.36LKR 120
$0.93¥6.26
-61.29%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18LKR 397
$0.88¥5.97
34.09%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.57LKR 190
$0.61¥4.10
-6.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$10.11LKR 3,398
$3.40¥23.01
197.35%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.67LKR 4,258
$10.85¥73.5
16.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.06LKR 694
$0.68¥4.62
202.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.93LKR 985
$1.45¥9.83
102.07%
🚌 Getting Around
Hikkaduwa
Jiaxing
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.34LKR 115
$0.29¥1.99
17.24%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$15.19¥103
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.42LKR 140
$1.09¥7.40
-61.47%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.35LKR 118
$0.35¥2.39
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$0.60LKR 203
$7.10¥48.07
-91.55%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.26LKR 422
$1.16¥7.84
8.62%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.2KLKR 9.1M
$17.3K¥116.8K
57.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.2KLKR 11.8M
$14.3K¥96.5K
147.08%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hikkaduwa
Jiaxing
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$61.4LKR 20.6K
$34.65¥235
77.06%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.28LKR 1,438
$10.91¥73.8
-60.77%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.20LKR 5,107
$4.75¥32.15
220.00%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hikkaduwa
Jiaxing
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$34.89¥236
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.91¥46.74
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.26LKR 1,096
$5.50¥37.20
-40.73%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hikkaduwa
Jiaxing
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$37.47LKR 12.6K
$406¥2,745
-90.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$440LKR 147.8K
$11.8K¥80.1K
-96.28%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hikkaduwa
Jiaxing
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.50LKR 9,239
$43.20¥292
-36.34%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.44LKR 6,531
$33.42¥226
-41.83%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$69.8LKR 23.4K
$68.2¥461
2.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$39.04LKR 13.1K
$81.9¥554
-52.34%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hikkaduwa
Jiaxing
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$169LKR 56.9K
$260¥1,758
-34.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$83.5LKR 28.1K
$167¥1,132
-50.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,689LKR 567.6K
$713¥4,828
136.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$497LKR 167.0K
$410¥2,775
21.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$4,287¥29.0K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,994¥13.5K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hikkaduwa
Jiaxing
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$801¥5,423
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
16.45
3.87
325.06%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hikkaduwa: July 13, 2026
Last update for Jiaxing: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $169 in Hikkaduwa and $260 in Jiaxing. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $26.00 in Hikkaduwa vs $21.00 in Jiaxing for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $238 vs $182 per month, with Jiaxing 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
Hikkaduwa vs Jiaxing: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jiaxing cheaper than Hikkaduwa?
Hikkaduwa is cheaper overall, especially in Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 8% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $885 in Hikkaduwa and $958 in Jiaxing 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.
What is the rent difference between Hikkaduwa and Jiaxing?
Rent for a central apartment: $169 in Hikkaduwa versus $260 in Jiaxing. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Hikkaduwa and in Jiaxing?
Shoppers in Jiaxing pay roughly 31% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
What are total monthly expenses in Hikkaduwa and in Jiaxing?
All in, you'll spend $590 per month in Hikkaduwa versus $639 in Jiaxing – a 8% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,000 enough for either Hikkaduwa or Jiaxing?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Hikkaduwa gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is it better to live in Hikkaduwa or in Jiaxing?
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.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Hikkaduwa gentler on the wallet – expenses run 8% less than in Jiaxing. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.