Cost of Living Comparison Between Moratuwa and Ratnapura Cost of Living Comparison Between Moratuwa and Ratnapura

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $65.7 per month in Moratuwa vs $475 in Ratnapura, rent included.

A couple spends around $114 per month in Moratuwa vs $767 in Ratnapura, rent included.

A family of three spends $163 per month in Moratuwa vs $1,059 in Ratnapura, rent included.

Moratuwa is about 86% cheaper than Ratnapura, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Moratuwa and Ratnapura are more affordable than the global median – Moratuwa 95% lower, Ratnapura 65% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.02 LKR 662

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$8.93 LKR 2,930

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.99 LKR 1,965

Cappuccino

$2.08 LKR 683

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

$0.75 LKR 246

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.44 LKR 144

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.93 LKR 632

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.67 LKR 877

Milk (1 liter)

$1.30 LKR 428

$1.87 LKR 614

-30.48%

White Bread (500g)

$0.45 LKR 148

$0.75 LKR 245

-40.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.84 LKR 275

$0.65 LKR 214

29.23%

Eggs

$2.37 LKR 777

$1.08 LKR 353

119.44%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.29 LKR 4,034

$14.76 LKR 4,842

-16.73%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.35 LKR 2,082

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.97 LKR 5,239

Apples (1kg)

$4.23 LKR 1,389

Banana (1kg)

$0.74 LKR 244

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 LKR 1,368

Tomato (1kg)

$0.95 LKR 312

Potato (1kg)

$1.02 LKR 334

Onion (1kg)

$1.42 LKR 465

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.51 LKR 166

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.48 LKR 156

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.94 LKR 4,244

Wine (Bottle)

$12.84 LKR 4,213

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.12 LKR 695

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.91 LKR 955

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.37 LKR 123

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.37 LKR 122

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.48 LKR 157

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.91 LKR 300

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

$19.6K LKR 6.4M

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

$20.0K LKR 6.6M

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

$2.08 LKR 681

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$7.50 LKR 2,460

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$9.26 LKR 3,037

Cinema Ticket

$2.44 LKR 802

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$10.55 LKR 3,461

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$7.50 LKR 2,460

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.4 LKR 27.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$25.38 LKR 8,326

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$76.7 LKR 25.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$54.7 LKR 17.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$84.6 LKR 27.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$170 LKR 55.8K

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

Last update for Moratuwa: August 30, 2026

Last update for Ratnapura: August 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 Ratnapura: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Ratnapura is pricier by about 624%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $98.5 per month in Moratuwa and $713 in Ratnapura. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $65.7 in Moratuwa and $475 in Ratnapura. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 286% more in Ratnapura, 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 $65.7 in Moratuwa and $475 in Ratnapura, 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, Ratnapura makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.