Cost of Living Comparison Between Maharagama and Ratnapura Cost of Living Comparison Between Maharagama and Ratnapura

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $463 per month in Maharagama vs $531 in Ratnapura, rent included.

A couple spends around $796 per month in Maharagama vs $838 in Ratnapura, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,130 per month in Maharagama vs $1,145 in Ratnapura, rent included.

Maharagama is about 13% cheaper than Ratnapura, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Maharagama and Ratnapura are more affordable than the global median – Maharagama 66% lower, Ratnapura 60% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.21 LKR 737

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$10.19 LKR 3,399

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.55 LKR 2,184

Cappuccino

$2.40 LKR 800

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

$0.80 LKR 267

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.52 LKR 173

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.12 LKR 706

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.02 LKR 1,008

Milk (1 liter)

$1.87 LKR 623

$1.98 LKR 661

-5.56%

White Bread (500g)

$0.52 LKR 173

$0.83 LKR 277

-37.35%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.78 LKR 262

$0.72 LKR 239

8.33%

Eggs

$2.11 LKR 704

$1.19 LKR 399

77.31%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.26 LKR 5,423

$16.56 LKR 5,523

-1.81%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.96 LKR 1,987

$7.21 LKR 2,404

-17.34%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.99 LKR 3,667

$17.39 LKR 5,799

-36.80%

Apples (1kg)

$11.75 LKR 3,920

$4.59 LKR 1,532

155.99%

Banana (1kg)

$1.24 LKR 415

$0.78 LKR 259

58.97%

Oranges (1kg)

$10.12 LKR 3,376

$4.74 LKR 1,583

113.50%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.82 LKR 608

$1.08 LKR 361

68.52%

Potato (1kg)

$1.19 LKR 396

$1.17 LKR 389

1.71%

Onion (1kg)

$1.16 LKR 388

$1.58 LKR 528

-26.58%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.56 LKR 520

$0.53 LKR 176

194.34%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.58 LKR 192

$0.48 LKR 159

20.83%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.69 LKR 3,233

$14.80 LKR 4,936

-34.53%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.63 LKR 4,214

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.06 LKR 688

$2.31 LKR 771

-10.82%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.16 LKR 1,055

$3.20 LKR 1,067

-1.25%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.41 LKR 137

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.37 LKR 1,125

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.32 LKR 106

$0.41 LKR 138

-21.95%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.29 LKR 96.7

$0.52 LKR 175

-44.23%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.34 LKR 114

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.37 LKR 459

$1.07 LKR 356

28.04%

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

$21.9K LKR 7.3M

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

$21.6K LKR 7.2M

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

$54.2 LKR 18.1K

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

$3.30 LKR 1,101

$2.26 LKR 754

46.02%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$12.75 LKR 4,254

$7.81 LKR 2,605

63.25%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$13.52 LKR 4,510

$10.22 LKR 3,410

32.29%

Cinema Ticket

$5.04 LKR 1,680

$2.60 LKR 869

93.85%

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

$67.7 LKR 22.6K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$504 LKR 168.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$24.76 LKR 8,258

$11.64 LKR 3,883

112.71%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$13.58 LKR 4,529

$8.47 LKR 2,824

60.33%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$55.8 LKR 18.6K

$94.7 LKR 31.6K

-41.13%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$57.4 LKR 19.2K

$28.23 LKR 9,416

103.44%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$82.6 LKR 27.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$59.9 LKR 20.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$167 LKR 55.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$119 LKR 39.5K

$94.1 LKR 31.4K

25.97%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$165 LKR 55.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Maharagama: June 6, 2026

Last update for Ratnapura: June 8, 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

Maharagama vs Ratnapura: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Ratnapura is pricier by about 15%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $694 per month in Maharagama and $797 in Ratnapura. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $463 in Maharagama and $531 in Ratnapura. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Interestingly, groceries are about 5% cheaper in Ratnapura – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $463 in Maharagama and $531 in Ratnapura, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

Families tend to lean toward Maharagama – 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 Maharagama. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Ratnapura makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.