😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $735 in Weligama versus $718 in Colombo.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $929 in Weligama versus $1,153 in Colombo.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,123 in Weligama versus $1,588 in Colombo.
🌍Living in Weligama is roughly 2% more expensive than in Colombo, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Weligama45% lower, Colombo46% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Weligama
Colombo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.96LKR 1,331
$4.07LKR 1,366
-2.70%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$13.19LKR 4,433
$25.28LKR 8,492
-47.82%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.83LKR 1,960
$8.60LKR 2,891
-32.21%
Cappuccino
$2.67LKR 897
$2.71LKR 909
-1.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74LKR 250
$0.69LKR 232
7.25%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37LKR 125
$0.40LKR 136
-7.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.27LKR 764
$2.27LKR 764
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.40LKR 1,142
$3.27LKR 1,099
3.98%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Weligama
Colombo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.71LKR 573
$1.70LKR 571
0.59%
White Bread(500g)
$0.34LKR 115
$0.55LKR 185
-38.18%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.82LKR 275
$0.88LKR 295
-6.82%
Eggs
$2.14LKR 720
$2.14LKR 721
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.88LKR 4,664
$13.88LKR 4,662
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.58LKR 1,539
$4.78LKR 1,606
-4.18%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.00LKR 2,689
$8.09LKR 2,717
-1.11%
Apples(1kg)
$7.60LKR 2,555
$7.65LKR 2,570
-0.65%
Banana(1kg)
$0.79LKR 266
$1.07LKR 359
-26.17%
Oranges(1kg)
$5.69LKR 1,912
$5.84LKR 1,963
-2.57%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.22LKR 410
$1.25LKR 421
-2.40%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15LKR 387
$1.14LKR 384
0.88%
Onion(1kg)
$0.49LKR 165
$1.36LKR 458
-63.97%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.15LKR 386
$1.20LKR 403
-4.17%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55LKR 186
$0.56LKR 190
-1.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.99LKR 3,358
$9.99LKR 3,358
-
Wine(Bottle)
$12.75LKR 4,283
$12.70LKR 4,266
0.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.08LKR 698
$2.09LKR 702
-0.48%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.96LKR 994
$2.90LKR 974
2.07%
🚌 Getting Around
Weligama
Colombo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.16LKR 54.7
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$4.93LKR 1,657
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.42LKR 140
$0.38LKR 129
10.53%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33LKR 110
$0.35LKR 119
-5.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$0.57LKR 192
$0.62LKR 207
-8.06%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.25LKR 421
$1.19LKR 401
5.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.5KLKR 8.9M
$27.2KLKR 9.1M
-2.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7KLKR 11.7M
$34.3KLKR 11.5M
1.31%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Weligama
Colombo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$60.7LKR 20.4K
$59.6LKR 20.0K
1.76%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.33LKR 1,119
$4.30LKR 1,444
-22.56%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.07LKR 5,064
$15.37LKR 5,165
-1.95%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Weligama
Colombo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$14.83LKR 4,984
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$7.39LKR 2,484
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.32LKR 1,116
$3.28LKR 1,103
1.22%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Weligama
Colombo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$36.44LKR 12.2K
$36.45LKR 12.2K
-0.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$434LKR 145.9K
$442LKR 148.5K
-1.73%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Weligama
Colombo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.43LKR 9,216
$27.73LKR 9,318
-1.08%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.76LKR 6,639
$19.12LKR 6,425
3.35%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$68.7LKR 23.1K
$69.2LKR 23.2K
-0.71%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$38.91LKR 13.1K
$39.30LKR 13.2K
-0.99%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Weligama
Colombo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$368LKR 123.6K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$220LKR 74.0K
$173LKR 58.0K
27.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$971LKR 326.1K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$369LKR 123.9K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,586LKR 1.2M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,156LKR 388.5K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Weligama
Colombo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$251LKR 84.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
16.45
16.45
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Weligama: July 13, 2026
Last update for Colombo: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $13.00 in Weligama vs $25.00 in Colombo for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $250 vs $258 per month, with Weligama cheaper across the board.
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
Weligama vs Colombo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Weligama and in Colombo?
Weligama and Colombo differ by about 2% in total monthly costs ($735 vs $718 including rent). Colombo is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Weligama and in Colombo?
You'd need roughly $1,102 in Weligama and $1,076 in Colombo to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do childcare costs compare in Weligama and in Colombo?
Childcare runs $36.44 in Weligama versus $36.45 in Colombo. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Weligama and in Colombo?
Dining out is cheaper in Colombo – a meal for two runs $25.00 versus $13.00 in Weligama. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $800/month in Weligama or in Colombo?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Colombo gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Weligama or Colombo?
Both work as nomad bases, but Colombo delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $718 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Colombo hard to pass up.
How safe is Weligama compared to Colombo?
Safety-wise, Weligama and Colombo are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Colombo gentler on the wallet – expenses run 2% less than in Weligama. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.