Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Jaffna and Moratuwa

For one person, living is cheaper in Moratuwa: $131 a month against $484 in Jaffna, rent and utilities included – about $4,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Jump to prices

Jaffna

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka

$484

/mo nomad

Moratuwa

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka

$131

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Jaffna and in Moratuwa

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Jaffna and in Moratuwa actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $484 per month in Jaffna vs $131 in Moratuwa, rent included.

Jaffna $484
Moratuwa $131

A couple spends around $774 per month in Jaffna vs $211 in Moratuwa, rent included.

Jaffna $774
Moratuwa $211

A family of three spends $1,063 per month in Jaffna vs $291 in Moratuwa, rent included.

Jaffna $1,063
Moratuwa $291

Jaffna costs about 269% more than Moratuwa, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Jaffna and Moratuwa are more affordable than the global median – Jaffna 64% lower, Moratuwa 90% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.03 LKR 342

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$40.37 LKR 13.4K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.61 LKR 1,533

Cappuccino

$3.21 LKR 1,067

$1.84 LKR 611

74.46%

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

$1.66 LKR 552

$0.71 LKR 234

133.80%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.48 LKR 161

$0.15 LKR 49.28

220.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.59 LKR 1,195

$1.85 LKR 616

94.05%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.04 LKR 2,009

$2.46 LKR 816

145.53%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.71 LKR 236

$1.25 LKR 417

-43.20%

White Bread (500g)

$0.46 LKR 152

$0.46 LKR 154

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.64 LKR 212

$0.82 LKR 272

-21.95%

Eggs

$1.35 LKR 448

$2.36 LKR 785

-42.80%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.41 LKR 1,466

$12.27 LKR 4,078

-64.06%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.18 LKR 1,057

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.09 LKR 2,026

Apples (1kg)

$3.66 LKR 1,217

Banana (1kg)

$0.47 LKR 156

$0.46 LKR 154

2.17%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.94 LKR 978

Tomato (1kg)

$1.47 LKR 489

Potato (1kg)

$0.97 LKR 323

Onion (1kg)

$0.62 LKR 205

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.58 LKR 193

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.39 LKR 131

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.39 LKR 3,787

Wine (Bottle)

$18.40 LKR 6,116

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 LKR 826

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.29 LKR 95.8

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.08 LKR 1,023

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.47 LKR 157

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.25 LKR 83.4

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.30 LKR 433

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

$44.8K LKR 14.9M

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

$45.31 LKR 15.1K

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

$2.94 LKR 977

$4.44 LKR 1,475

-33.78%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$5.85 LKR 1,946

$15.01 LKR 4,989

-61.03%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.08 LKR 1,024

Cinema Ticket

$1.78 LKR 593

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$36.45 LKR 12.1K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$6.05 LKR 2,013

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$150 LKR 49.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$138 LKR 45.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$222 LKR 73.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$196 LKR 65.1K

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

Last update for Jaffna: October 25, 2026

Last update for Moratuwa: October 27, 2026

Good to know

🇱🇰 Jaffna

🇱🇰 Moratuwa

🕒 Local time

06:31 6:31 AM

Same time as Jaffna

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

600,000

207,000

💱 Currency

Sri Lankan Rupee LKR Rs

📈 Exchange rate

1,000 LKR = 3.01 USD

1,000 LKR = 2.7 EUR

1,000 LKR = 3.01 USD

1,000 LKR = 2.7 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Highest

Between locations

Jaffna Moratuwa 320 km

From you

Jaffna
Moratuwa

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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: $484 in Jaffna, $131 in Moratuwa – Moratuwa comes out roughly 73% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $727 per month in Jaffna and $197 in Moratuwa. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $484 in Jaffna and $131 in Moratuwa. That makes Moratuwa about 73% cheaper.

Groceries cost about 141% more in Jaffna, though the gap depends on what you buy.

$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $484 in Jaffna and $131 in Moratuwa, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

It depends on your priorities. Jaffna has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $131 in Moratuwa to $484 in Jaffna. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.