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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $72.9 per month in Moratuwa vs $499 in Jaffna, rent included.

A couple spends around $125 per month in Moratuwa vs $699 in Jaffna, rent included.

A family of three spends $177 per month in Moratuwa vs $900 in Jaffna, rent included.

Moratuwa is about 85% cheaper than Jaffna, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Moratuwa and Jaffna are more affordable than the global median – Moratuwa 95% lower, Jaffna 63% lower.

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.93 LKR 1,636

Cappuccino

$3.32 LKR 1,101

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

$0.52 LKR 172

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 LKR 114

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.44 LKR 1,139

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.61 LKR 2,193

Milk (1 liter)

$1.40 LKR 463

White Bread (500g)

$0.49 LKR 161

$0.50 LKR 166

-2.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.92 LKR 306

$0.67 LKR 221

37.31%

Eggs

$2.62 LKR 870

$1.65 LKR 546

58.79%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.62 LKR 4,518

$4.96 LKR 1,646

174.60%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.47 LKR 1,151

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.60 LKR 2,187

Apples (1kg)

$4.12 LKR 1,366

Banana (1kg)

$0.57 LKR 188

Oranges (1kg)

$3.25 LKR 1,078

Tomato (1kg)

$1.70 LKR 563

Potato (1kg)

$1.12 LKR 370

Onion (1kg)

$0.78 LKR 258

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.65 LKR 216

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.41 LKR 135

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.80 LKR 4,245

Wine (Bottle)

$17.84 LKR 5,914

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.86 LKR 948

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.11 LKR 36.05

$0.32 LKR 105

-65.63%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.43 LKR 1,137

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.51 LKR 169

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.01 LKR 336

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

$51.2K LKR 17.0M

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

$50.8 LKR 16.8K

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

$3.37 LKR 1,117

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$6.81 LKR 2,257

Cinema Ticket

$1.95 LKR 647

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$40.42 LKR 13.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$167 LKR 55.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$152 LKR 50.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$254 LKR 84.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$217 LKR 72.1K

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

Last update for Moratuwa: June 1, 2026

Last update for Jaffna: May 31, 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

Moratuwa vs Jaffna: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $72.9 in Moratuwa, $499 in Jaffna – roughly 585% apart. Jaffna costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $109 per month in Moratuwa and $748 in Jaffna. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $72.9 in Moratuwa and $499 in Jaffna. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 136% 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 $72.9 in Moratuwa and $499 in Jaffna, 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.