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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $74.5 per month in Moratuwa vs $517 in Ratnapura, rent included.

A couple spends around $127 per month in Moratuwa vs $833 in Ratnapura, rent included.

A family of three spends $179 per month in Moratuwa vs $1,149 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 94% lower, Ratnapura 61% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.23 LKR 748

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$10.02 LKR 3,367

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.80 LKR 2,284

Cappuccino

$2.35 LKR 791

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

$0.82 LKR 274

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.52 LKR 174

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.23 LKR 749

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.09 LKR 1,038

Milk (1 liter)

$1.38 LKR 464

$2.04 LKR 686

-32.35%

White Bread (500g)

$0.48 LKR 161

$0.81 LKR 271

-40.74%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.96 LKR 321

$0.67 LKR 226

43.28%

Eggs

$2.73 LKR 917

$1.19 LKR 401

129.41%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.43 LKR 4,511

$16.66 LKR 5,598

-19.39%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.14 LKR 2,400

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.18 LKR 5,773

Apples (1kg)

$4.66 LKR 1,564

Banana (1kg)

$0.82 LKR 276

Oranges (1kg)

$4.65 LKR 1,563

Tomato (1kg)

$1.08 LKR 363

Potato (1kg)

$1.17 LKR 392

Onion (1kg)

$1.56 LKR 525

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.56 LKR 189

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.48 LKR 162

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.66 LKR 4,926

Wine (Bottle)

$12.44 LKR 4,180

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.32 LKR 779

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.13 LKR 1,053

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.10 LKR 34.51

$0.42 LKR 141

-76.19%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.38 LKR 129

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.53 LKR 178

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.32 LKR 106

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 LKR 357

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

$21.7K LKR 7.3M

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

$21.4K LKR 7.2M

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

$2.25 LKR 755

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$8.23 LKR 2,767

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$9.99 LKR 3,355

Cinema Ticket

$2.61 LKR 875

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$11.53 LKR 3,873

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$8.41 LKR 2,825

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.5 LKR 32.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$28.66 LKR 9,628

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$82.8 LKR 27.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$61.4 LKR 20.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$92.9 LKR 31.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$165 LKR 55.5K

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

Last update for Moratuwa: July 12, 2026

Last update for Ratnapura: July 14, 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 594%, 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 $112 per month in Moratuwa and $776 in Ratnapura. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $74.5 in Moratuwa and $517 in Ratnapura. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 284% 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 $74.5 in Moratuwa and $517 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.