Cost of Living Comparison Between Jaffna and Moratuwa Cost of Living Comparison Between Jaffna and Moratuwa

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $497 per month in Jaffna vs $65.7 in Moratuwa, rent included.

A couple spends around $794 per month in Jaffna vs $114 in Moratuwa, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,090 per month in Jaffna vs $163 in Moratuwa, rent included.

Jaffna costs about 657% more than Moratuwa, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Jaffna and Moratuwa are more affordable than the global median – Jaffna 64% lower, Moratuwa 95% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.05 LKR 345

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$39.85 LKR 13.1K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.70 LKR 1,541

Cappuccino

$3.26 LKR 1,069

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

$1.70 LKR 559

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.52 LKR 171

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.54 LKR 1,161

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.04 LKR 1,981

Milk (1 liter)

$0.72 LKR 236

$1.30 LKR 428

-44.62%

White Bread (500g)

$0.45 LKR 148

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.59 LKR 195

$0.84 LKR 275

-29.76%

Eggs

$1.43 LKR 469

$2.37 LKR 777

-39.66%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.63 LKR 1,520

$12.29 LKR 4,034

-62.33%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.28 LKR 1,075

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.05 LKR 1,985

Apples (1kg)

$3.64 LKR 1,194

Banana (1kg)

$0.50 LKR 164

Oranges (1kg)

$3.00 LKR 985

Tomato (1kg)

$1.56 LKR 512

Potato (1kg)

$1.03 LKR 336

Onion (1kg)

$0.63 LKR 208

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.60 LKR 196

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.39 LKR 129

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.62 LKR 3,811

Wine (Bottle)

$18.23 LKR 5,982

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.54 LKR 835

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.29 LKR 95.0

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.13 LKR 1,028

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.45 LKR 146

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.23 LKR 75.2

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 LKR 402

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

$45.7K LKR 15.0M

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

$45.93 LKR 15.1K

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

$3.07 LKR 1,008

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$5.92 LKR 1,943

Cinema Ticket

$1.81 LKR 594

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$37.00 LKR 12.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$152 LKR 49.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$137 LKR 45.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$224 LKR 73.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$195 LKR 64.0K

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

Last update for Jaffna: August 29, 2026

Last update for Moratuwa: August 30, 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 Moratuwa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $497 in Jaffna, $65.7 in Moratuwa – roughly 657% apart. Jaffna costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $746 per month in Jaffna and $98.5 in Moratuwa. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $497 in Jaffna and $65.7 in Moratuwa. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 153% more in Jaffna, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $497 in Jaffna and $65.7 in Moratuwa, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

Families tend to lean toward Moratuwa – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Moratuwa. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Jaffna makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.