Cost of Living Comparison Between Jaffna and Hatton Cost of Living Comparison Between Jaffna and Hatton

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $513 per month in Jaffna vs $518 in Hatton, rent included.

A couple spends around $697 per month in Jaffna vs $857 in Hatton, rent included.

A family of three spends $882 per month in Jaffna vs $1,195 in Hatton, rent included.

Jaffna is about 1% cheaper than Hatton, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Jaffna and Hatton are more affordable than the global median – Jaffna 62% lower, Hatton 61% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Jaffna
Hatton
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$3.96 LKR 1,262
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$24.78 LKR 7,901
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.97 LKR 1,585
$8.25 LKR 2,630
-39.76%
Cappuccino
$3.30 LKR 1,051
$2.66 LKR 850
24.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51 LKR 164
$0.74 LKR 235
-31.08%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32 LKR 101
$0.38 LKR 120
-15.79%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.32 LKR 1,060
$2.28 LKR 727
45.61%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.81 LKR 2,172
$3.28 LKR 1,046
107.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Jaffna
Hatton
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
-
$1.79 LKR 570
-
White Bread (500g)
$0.50 LKR 158
$0.53 LKR 169
-5.66%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.71 LKR 228
$0.86 LKR 273
-17.44%
Eggs
$1.57 LKR 499
$2.11 LKR 673
-25.59%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.11 LKR 1,631
$13.85 LKR 4,418
-63.10%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.61 LKR 1,153
$4.73 LKR 1,508
-23.68%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.65 LKR 2,120
$8.19 LKR 2,612
-18.80%
Apples (1kg)
$3.99 LKR 1,272
$7.46 LKR 2,379
-46.51%
Banana (1kg)
$0.51 LKR 164
$1.12 LKR 357
-54.46%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.42 LKR 1,089
$5.71 LKR 1,820
-40.11%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.63 LKR 521
$1.26 LKR 403
29.37%
Potato (1kg)
$1.12 LKR 358
$1.10 LKR 351
1.82%
Onion (1kg)
$0.78 LKR 248
$1.41 LKR 448
-44.68%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.69 LKR 219
$1.15 LKR 365
-40.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41 LKR 129
$0.56 LKR 180
-26.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.82 LKR 4,089
$9.94 LKR 3,169
28.97%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.93 LKR 6,037
$12.67 LKR 4,040
49.41%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.83 LKR 902
$2.00 LKR 637
41.50%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.83 LKR 901
-
🚌 Getting Around
Jaffna
Hatton
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.34 LKR 109
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$3.42 LKR 1,090
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.49 LKR 155
$0.41 LKR 131
19.51%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$0.32 LKR 104
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$0.61 LKR 193
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.03 LKR 328
$1.21 LKR 387
-14.88%
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)
$50.1K LKR 16.0M
$34.3K LKR 10.9M
46.21%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jaffna
Hatton
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$50.1 LKR 16.0K
$60.5 LKR 19.3K
-17.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.42 LKR 1,091
$4.25 LKR 1,355
-19.53%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$14.86 LKR 4,740
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Jaffna
Hatton
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$6.52 LKR 2,080
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$2.00 LKR 637
$3.25 LKR 1,038
-38.46%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Jaffna
Hatton
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$37.30 LKR 11.9K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$434 LKR 138.3K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Jaffna
Hatton
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$40.60 LKR 12.9K
$27.01 LKR 8,614
50.31%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$19.08 LKR 6,085
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$69.3 LKR 22.1K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$38.15 LKR 12.2K
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Jaffna
Hatton
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$165 LKR 52.5K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$153 LKR 48.6K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$254 LKR 80.9K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$215 LKR 68.4K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Jaffna
Hatton
Difference
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
16.45
-

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

Last update for Jaffna: April 26, 2026

Last update for Hatton: 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
Jaffna vs Hatton: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hatton cheaper than Jaffna?
Yes – Hatton is pricier by about 1%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $769 per month in Jaffna and $777 in Hatton. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
What are total monthly expenses in Jaffna vs Hatton?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $513 in Jaffna and $518 in Hatton. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do food prices compare in Jaffna and Hatton?
Groceries cost about 45% more in Hatton, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,200 enough for either Jaffna or Hatton?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $513 in Jaffna and $518 in Hatton, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Is Jaffna or Hatton more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Jaffna – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Jaffna or Hatton?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Jaffna. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hatton makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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