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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $473 per month in Maharagama vs $534 in Ratnapura, rent included.

A couple spends around $789 per month in Maharagama vs $858 in Ratnapura, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,105 per month in Maharagama vs $1,183 in Ratnapura, rent included.

Maharagama is about 11% cheaper than Ratnapura, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Maharagama and Ratnapura are more affordable than the global median – Maharagama 64% lower, Ratnapura 60% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.19 LKR 735

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$10.13 LKR 3,398

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.81 LKR 2,287

Cappuccino

$2.37 LKR 797

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

$0.87 LKR 291

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.49 LKR 164

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.12 LKR 713

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.94 LKR 988

Milk (1 liter)

$1.92 LKR 644

$1.97 LKR 662

-2.54%

White Bread (500g)

$0.49 LKR 164

$0.81 LKR 271

-39.51%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.73 LKR 246

$0.72 LKR 242

1.39%

Eggs

$2.07 LKR 694

$1.24 LKR 417

66.94%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.11 LKR 5,405

$16.47 LKR 5,527

-2.19%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.95 LKR 1,995

$6.97 LKR 2,338

-14.63%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.91 LKR 3,661

$17.18 LKR 5,766

-36.50%

Apples (1kg)

$11.62 LKR 3,898

$4.66 LKR 1,563

149.36%

Banana (1kg)

$1.25 LKR 419

$0.77 LKR 260

62.34%

Oranges (1kg)

$10.10 LKR 3,389

$4.78 LKR 1,603

111.30%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.83 LKR 613

$1.06 LKR 355

72.64%

Potato (1kg)

$1.19 LKR 400

$1.12 LKR 377

6.25%

Onion (1kg)

$1.21 LKR 407

$1.50 LKR 502

-19.33%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.61 LKR 541

$0.52 LKR 174

209.62%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.62 LKR 208

$0.52 LKR 175

19.23%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.84 LKR 3,303

$14.29 LKR 4,794

-31.14%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.44 LKR 4,175

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.06 LKR 691

$2.30 LKR 773

-10.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.25 LKR 1,090

$3.21 LKR 1,077

1.25%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.41 LKR 138

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.44 LKR 1,154

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.34 LKR 115

$0.41 LKR 139

-17.07%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.31 LKR 105

$0.53 LKR 177

-41.51%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.35 LKR 116

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.43 LKR 478

$1.08 LKR 361

32.41%

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

$21.8K LKR 7.3M

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

$21.3K LKR 7.2M

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

$53.5 LKR 18.0K

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

$3.28 LKR 1,101

$2.26 LKR 757

45.13%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$12.46 LKR 4,182

$7.88 LKR 2,645

58.12%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$13.51 LKR 4,534

$10.10 LKR 3,389

33.76%

Cinema Ticket

$5.09 LKR 1,706

$2.71 LKR 910

87.82%

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

$68.3 LKR 22.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$500 LKR 167.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$24.80 LKR 8,321

$11.60 LKR 3,893

113.79%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$13.30 LKR 4,464

$8.24 LKR 2,766

61.41%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$56.2 LKR 18.9K

$94.1 LKR 31.6K

-40.27%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$58.1 LKR 19.5K

$28.63 LKR 9,606

102.97%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$82.1 LKR 27.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$59.3 LKR 19.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$165 LKR 55.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$115 LKR 38.6K

$92.4 LKR 31.0K

24.36%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$170 LKR 57.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Maharagama: July 27, 2026

Last update for Ratnapura: July 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

Maharagama vs Ratnapura: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Ratnapura is pricier by about 13%, 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 $709 per month in Maharagama and $801 in Ratnapura. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $473 in Maharagama and $534 in Ratnapura. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Interestingly, groceries are about 6% 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 $473 in Maharagama and $534 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.