Cost of Living in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $465 (excluding rent), and $536 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,122 (excluding rent), and $1,199 including rent.
Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.9 LKR 1,166
$1.62 LKR 484
$8.12 LKR 2,427
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.63 LKR 7,358
$16.42 LKR 4,905
$49.26 LKR 14.7K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.49 LKR 2,536
$6.11 LKR 1,827
$10.19 LKR 3,045
Cappuccino
$2.74 LKR 820
$1.19 LKR 357
$4.1 LKR 1,225
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.68 LKR 204
$0.48 LKR 143
$1.29 LKR 385
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32 LKR 94.7
$0.29 LKR 86.1
$0.81 LKR 241
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.35 LKR 703
$1.52 LKR 453
$3.37 LKR 1,006
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.28 LKR 981
$2.29 LKR 685
$6.57 LKR 1,962
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.79 LKR 535
$1.55 LKR 464
$1.89 LKR 565
White Bread (500g)
$0.52 LKR 156
$0.45 LKR 136
$1.46 LKR 435
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.81 LKR 241
$0.64 LKR 192
$1.29 LKR 384
Eggs
$2.12 LKR 633
$1.18 LKR 353
$2.55 LKR 762
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.98 LKR 4,178
$4.32 LKR 1,291
$31.26 LKR 9,341
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.78 LKR 1,427
$3.08 LKR 920
$8.91 LKR 2,662
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.12 LKR 2,425
$5.41 LKR 1,617
$11.83 LKR 3,535
Apples (1kg)
$7.55 LKR 2,257
$2.03 LKR 606
$10.15 LKR 3,032
Banana (1kg)
$1.11 LKR 332
$0.68 LKR 204
$2.05 LKR 613
Oranges (1kg)
$5.84 LKR 1,746
$1.69 LKR 504
$10.14 LKR 3,031
Tomato (1kg)
$1.21 LKR 361
$0.49 LKR 147
$2.3 LKR 687
Potato (1kg)
$1.16 LKR 346
$0.41 LKR 123
$1.71 LKR 512
Onion (1kg)
$1.37 LKR 408
$0.76 LKR 226
$2.3 LKR 687
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.18 LKR 353
$0.33 LKR 99.5
$2.03 LKR 606
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56 LKR 168
$0.39 LKR 116
$0.97 LKR 289
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.09 LKR 3,014
$6.73 LKR 2,010
$11.76 LKR 3,515
Wine (Bottle)
$14.34 LKR 4,285
$8.44 LKR 2,521
$23.62 LKR 7,059
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.01 LKR 600
$1.41 LKR 422
$2.81 LKR 840
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.96 LKR 886
$1.7 LKR 508
$5.11 LKR 1,528
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.39 LKR 115
$0.32 LKR 95.2
$0.57 LKR 170
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.33 LKR 97.8
$0.26 LKR 77.6
$0.65 LKR 196
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$0.61 LKR 181
$0.34 LKR 101
$1.24 LKR 371
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.2 LKR 358
$1 LKR 300
$1.39 LKR 417
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.5K LKR 7.9M
$18.2K LKR 5.4M
$33.1K LKR 9.9M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.5K LKR 10.6M
$27.3K LKR 8.2M
$51.2K LKR 15.3M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$60.6 LKR 18.1K
$33.69 LKR 10.1K
$101 LKR 30.2K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.26 LKR 1,272
$2.57 LKR 767
$6.59 LKR 1,969
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.13 LKR 4,521
$8.36 LKR 2,499
$48.52 LKR 14.5K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Cinema Ticket
$3.39 LKR 1,013
$2.54 LKR 759
$5.42 LKR 1,620
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$37.38 LKR 11.2K
$16.99 LKR 5,076
$68 LKR 20.3K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$445 LKR 133K
$253 LKR 75.7K
$1,014 LKR 302.9K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.72 LKR 8,283
$11.79 LKR 3,524
$67.4 LKR 20.1K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.37 LKR 5,788
$6.69 LKR 2,000
$43.49 LKR 13K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$70.6 LKR 21.1K
$34.05 LKR 10.2K
$119 LKR 35.6K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$38.38 LKR 11.5K
$18.25 LKR 5,452
$78 LKR 23.3K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$236 LKR 70.6K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
16.45
12
20
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia a good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads compared with Colombo or other parts of Sri Lanka?
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia offers balanced value: typically more affordable than central Colombo while keeping beach access and decent amenities within easy reach. You’ll find a mix of older apartments, guesthouses, and newer condos with flexible leases for short- or mid-term stays. Groceries and casual meals are affordable when you shop at local markets or street stalls; dining near the coast can push costs higher. The area hosts coworking spaces and cafés with reliable Wi‑Fi and straightforward transport links into Colombo. In terms of Cost of Living in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka, you may find it moderate relative to Colombo. Consider proximity to the coast, traffic, and rental terms when budgeting. Tip: Try a month-long stay in a couple of neighborhoods to gauge value.
What does daily life look like here in terms of housing search, food options, transport, coworking, and errands?
To gauge the Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka living cost, consider how rent, utilities, and food habits balance with your work style. Housing searches tend to reveal a range from budget rooms to mid-range apartments; leases vary from month-to-month to year-long, especially near Mount Lavinia Beach. Food options run from fresh markets and street stalls to cafes and homey restaurants, with value found in local staples. Transport is practical: tuk-tuks for quick hops, buses for longer routes, and some coworking spaces accessible via short commutes into Colombo. Errands are straightforward in well-stocked local markets and malls. Tip: map your weekly routes to minimize trips and save time and money.
What affects quality of life, budgeting framework, and seasonal considerations? How to choose neighborhoods?
Quality of life here blends sea breeze, city access, and a relaxed pace that suits many travelers and remote workers. A practical budgeting framework starts with rent, then allocates for utilities, internet, groceries, and occasional outings; keep a buffer for transport and seasonal travel to beaches or inland towns. Save by cooking at home with fresh produce from markets, using public transit, and choosing neighborhood blocks with quiet evenings. Seasonality matters: the southwest monsoon and variable rainfall can affect outdoor plans, so pick a base with reliable shelter and shade. For neighborhood fit, prioritize proximity to Mount Lavinia Beach for leisure, or easier access to bus and rail lines if you commute. Tip: test a few weekends in different blocks to feel the vibe.
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