Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Matale and Moratuwa

For one person, living is cheaper in Moratuwa: $131 a month against $226 in Matale, rent and utilities included – about $1,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Jump to prices

Matale

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka

$226

/mo nomad

Moratuwa

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka

$131

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Matale 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 Matale and in Moratuwa actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $226 per month in Matale vs $131 in Moratuwa, rent included.

Matale $226
Moratuwa $131

A couple spends around $369 per month in Matale vs $211 in Moratuwa, rent included.

Matale $369
Moratuwa $211

A family of three spends $512 per month in Matale vs $291 in Moratuwa, rent included.

Matale $512
Moratuwa $291

Matale costs about 72% more than Moratuwa, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Matale and Moratuwa are more affordable than the global median – Matale 83% lower, Moratuwa 90% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.83 LKR 608

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$8.76 LKR 2,914

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.39 LKR 1,458

Cappuccino

$1.84 LKR 611

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

$0.45 LKR 151

$0.71 LKR 234

-36.62%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.24 LKR 80.3

$0.15 LKR 49.28

60.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.45 LKR 814

$1.85 LKR 616

32.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.77 LKR 590

$2.46 LKR 816

-28.05%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.46 LKR 484

$1.25 LKR 417

16.80%

White Bread (500g)

$0.42 LKR 141

$0.46 LKR 154

-8.70%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.68 LKR 226

$0.82 LKR 272

-17.07%

Eggs

$1.66 LKR 551

$2.36 LKR 785

-29.66%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.81 LKR 3,262

$12.27 LKR 4,078

-20.05%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.56 LKR 1,182

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.23 LKR 2,405

Banana (1kg)

$0.52 LKR 173

$0.46 LKR 154

13.04%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.94 LKR 311

Potato (1kg)

$0.57 LKR 188

Onion (1kg)

$0.55 LKR 185

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.64 LKR 545

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.23 LKR 75.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.15 LKR 383

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

$3.67 LKR 1,220

$4.44 LKR 1,475

-17.34%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$15.01 LKR 4,989

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.08 LKR 1,024

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$23.96 LKR 7,965

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$6.05 LKR 2,013

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$10.52 LKR 3,496

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$42.99 LKR 14.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$61.1 LKR 20.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$163 LKR 54.1K

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

Last update for Matale: October 25, 2026

Last update for Moratuwa: October 27, 2026

Good to know

🇱🇰 Matale

🇱🇰 Moratuwa

🕒 Local time

06:31 6:31 AM

Same time as Matale

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

40,800

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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Between locations

Matale Moratuwa 110 km

From you

Matale
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

Matale vs Moratuwa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Matale costs about 72% more than Moratuwa, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $338 per month in Matale 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 $226 in Matale and $131 in Moratuwa. That makes Moratuwa about 42% cheaper.

Groceries cost about 67% more in Matale, though the gap depends on what you buy.

$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $226 in Matale and $131 in Moratuwa, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

It depends on your priorities. Moratuwa has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $131 in Moratuwa to $226 in Matale. 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.