Cost of Living Comparison Between Jaffna and Beruwala Cost of Living Comparison Between Jaffna and Beruwala

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $496 in Jaffna versus $521 in Beruwala.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $684 in Jaffna versus $864 in Beruwala.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $872 in Jaffna versus $1,208 in Beruwala.

Living in Jaffna costs roughly 5% less than in Beruwala, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Jaffna 63% lower, Beruwala 61% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.93 LKR 1,321

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.61 LKR 8,605

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.09 LKR 1,712

$8.60 LKR 2,891

-40.81%

Cappuccino

$3.43 LKR 1,152

$2.73 LKR 917

25.64%

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

$0.48 LKR 161

$0.74 LKR 248

-35.14%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.32 LKR 107

$0.40 LKR 136

-20.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.32 LKR 1,116

$2.39 LKR 803

38.91%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.84 LKR 2,299

$3.39 LKR 1,140

101.77%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.70 LKR 573

White Bread (500g)

$0.50 LKR 168

$0.55 LKR 185

-9.09%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.71 LKR 237

$0.81 LKR 271

-12.35%

Eggs

$1.58 LKR 531

$2.19 LKR 734

-27.85%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.99 LKR 1,675

$13.99 LKR 4,700

-64.33%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.43 LKR 1,154

$4.54 LKR 1,525

-24.45%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.55 LKR 2,199

$8.06 LKR 2,708

-18.73%

Apples (1kg)

$4.07 LKR 1,367

$7.35 LKR 2,469

-44.63%

Banana (1kg)

$0.52 LKR 173

$1.12 LKR 375

-53.57%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.41 LKR 1,146

$5.78 LKR 1,941

-41.00%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.63 LKR 549

$1.24 LKR 418

31.45%

Potato (1kg)

$1.11 LKR 373

$1.14 LKR 385

-2.63%

Onion (1kg)

$0.78 LKR 263

$1.41 LKR 474

-44.68%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.69 LKR 231

$1.15 LKR 386

-40.00%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.44 LKR 146

$0.60 LKR 202

-26.67%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.96 LKR 4,354

$9.87 LKR 3,314

31.31%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.81 LKR 5,985

$12.46 LKR 4,188

42.94%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.86 LKR 962

$2.04 LKR 685

40.20%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.99 LKR 1,004

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.32 LKR 107

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.33 LKR 1,118

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.51 LKR 172

$0.39 LKR 130

30.77%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.32 LKR 109

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.58 LKR 194

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.02 LKR 342

$1.20 LKR 403

-15.00%

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

$26.9K LKR 9.0M

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

$50.1K LKR 16.8M

$35.1K LKR 11.8M

42.54%

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

$49.29 LKR 16.6K

$59.0 LKR 19.8K

-16.51%

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

$3.27 LKR 1,099

$4.39 LKR 1,476

-25.51%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.06 LKR 5,061

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$6.59 LKR 2,216

Cinema Ticket

$2.03 LKR 681

$3.39 LKR 1,140

-40.12%

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

$36.17 LKR 12.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$437 LKR 147.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$39.62 LKR 13.3K

$28.01 LKR 9,412

41.45%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.61 LKR 6,590

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$69.5 LKR 23.4K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$39.30 LKR 13.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$165 LKR 55.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$150 LKR 50.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$247 LKR 83.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$215 LKR 72.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$151 LKR 50.8K

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 Jaffna: July 13, 2026

Last update for Beruwala: July 12, 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

Jaffna vs Beruwala: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Jaffna is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 5% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $744 in Jaffna and $781 in Beruwala 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.

Supermarket bills run roughly 47% higher in Beruwala. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $496 per month in Jaffna versus $521 in Beruwala – a 5% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Jaffna gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

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.

Safety-wise, Jaffna and Beruwala are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Jaffna gentler on the wallet – expenses run 5% less than in Beruwala. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.