🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $582 in Hikkaduwa versus $657 in Jiaxing.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,118 in Hikkaduwa versus $1,095 in Jiaxing.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,654 in Hikkaduwa versus $1,533 in Jiaxing.
🙂Living in Hikkaduwa costs roughly 11% less than in Jiaxing, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Hikkaduwa57% lower, Jiaxing51% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hikkaduwa
Jiaxing
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.97LKR 1,316
$2.86¥19.33
38.81%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.53LKR 8,466
$20.78¥141
22.86%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.54LKR 2,833
$4.86¥32.85
75.72%
Cappuccino
$2.71LKR 898
$3.20¥21.61
-15.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74LKR 246
$0.45¥3.03
64.44%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32LKR 105
$0.26¥1.76
23.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.32LKR 768
$0.68¥4.63
241.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.27LKR 1,086
$1.79¥12.08
82.68%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hikkaduwa
Jiaxing
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.67LKR 555
$2.34¥15.83
-28.63%
White Bread(500g)
$0.55LKR 184
$1.94¥13.09
-71.65%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.83LKR 275
$0.53¥3.61
56.60%
Eggs
$2.15LKR 712
$1.53¥10.34
40.52%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.82LKR 4,583
$6.99¥47.26
97.71%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.80LKR 1,592
$2.74¥18.54
75.18%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.15LKR 2,702
$9.02¥61.0
-9.65%
Apples(1kg)
$7.58LKR 2,515
$1.62¥10.95
367.90%
Banana(1kg)
$0.32LKR 106
$1.27¥8.59
-74.80%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.71LKR 897
$1.18¥7.98
129.66%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.98LKR 326
$1.14¥7.68
-14.04%
Potato(1kg)
$1.16LKR 384
$0.59¥4.00
96.61%
Onion(1kg)
$0.38LKR 127
$0.96¥6.47
-60.42%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.14LKR 377
$0.80¥5.40
42.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52LKR 174
$0.56¥3.81
-7.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$10.00LKR 3,317
$3.57¥24.14
180.11%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.85LKR 4,262
$11.03¥74.6
16.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.10LKR 698
$0.69¥4.63
204.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.93LKR 971
$1.47¥9.97
99.32%
🚌 Getting Around
Hikkaduwa
Jiaxing
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.32LKR 106
$0.29¥1.97
10.34%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$15.41¥104
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.38LKR 126
$1.13¥7.61
-66.37%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33LKR 109
$0.38¥2.57
-13.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$0.58LKR 192
$6.76¥45.73
-91.42%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.19LKR 396
$1.12¥7.57
6.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.3KLKR 8.7M
$16.8K¥113.5K
56.54%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.4KLKR 11.4M
$14.5K¥98.1K
136.89%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hikkaduwa
Jiaxing
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$59.9LKR 19.9K
$34.35¥232
74.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.22LKR 1,400
$11.13¥75.2
-62.08%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.89LKR 4,939
$4.76¥32.19
212.82%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hikkaduwa
Jiaxing
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$34.36¥232
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$7.14¥48.26
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.26LKR 1,081
$5.44¥36.77
-40.07%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hikkaduwa
Jiaxing
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$37.16LKR 12.3K
$401¥2,712
-90.74%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$435LKR 144.2K
$11.7K¥78.9K
-96.27%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hikkaduwa
Jiaxing
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.63LKR 9,160
$43.33¥293
-36.23%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.41LKR 6,435
$32.67¥221
-40.59%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$69.3LKR 23.0K
$69.0¥466
0.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$38.90LKR 12.9K
$82.6¥558
-52.91%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hikkaduwa
Jiaxing
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$165LKR 54.7K
$267¥1,808
-38.25%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$83.1LKR 27.5K
$169¥1,146
-50.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,671LKR 554.2K
$711¥4,805
135.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$497LKR 164.8K
$418¥2,827
18.86%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$4,230¥28.6K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,959¥13.2K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hikkaduwa
Jiaxing
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$825¥5,580
-
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: May 31, 2026
Last update for Jiaxing: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $165 in Hikkaduwa and $267 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 $237 vs $181 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 13% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $872 in Hikkaduwa and $985 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: $165 in Hikkaduwa versus $267 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 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 vs Jiaxing?
All in, you'll spend $582 per month in Hikkaduwa versus $657 in Jiaxing – a 13% 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 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 13% less than in Jiaxing. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.