Cost of Living in Galle - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $474 (excluding rent), and $519 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,095 (excluding rent), and $1,286 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.03 LKR 933

$1.68 LKR 517

$8.43 LKR 2,593

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.26 LKR 7,774

$16.84 LKR 5,182

$50.5 LKR 15.6K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.77 LKR 2,390

$4.09 LKR 1,260

$11.45 LKR 3,523

Cappuccino

$2.71 LKR 833

$1.18 LKR 363

$4.05 LKR 1,246

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

$0.74 LKR 228

$0.52 LKR 160

$1.4 LKR 430

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.4 LKR 123

$0.31 LKR 95

$0.86 LKR 266

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.29 LKR 705

$1.15 LKR 353

$3.28 LKR 1,010

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.08 LKR 948

$2.4 LKR 737

$6.86 LKR 2,111

Milk (1 liter)

$1.77 LKR 545

$1.54 LKR 473

$1.87 LKR 576

White Bread (500g)

$0.32 LKR 97

$1.44 LKR 444

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.88 LKR 271

$0.7 LKR 216

$1.41 LKR 433

Eggs

$1.91 LKR 589

$1.2 LKR 369

$2.59 LKR 797

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.35 LKR 4,416

$4.43 LKR 1,364

$32.09 LKR 9,873

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.54 LKR 1,396

$2.92 LKR 900

$8.46 LKR 2,603

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.13 LKR 2,501

$5.42 LKR 1,667

$12.86 LKR 3,957

Apples (1kg)

$7.46 LKR 2,295

$2.03 LKR 626

$10.17 LKR 3,129

Banana (1kg)

$0.94 LKR 288

$0.68 LKR 210

$2.05 LKR 630

Oranges (1kg)

$5.77 LKR 1,776

$1.66 LKR 512

$10.02 LKR 3,082

Tomato (1kg)

$1.26 LKR 387

$0.51 LKR 157

$2.39 LKR 737

Potato (1kg)

$1.15 LKR 354

$0.41 LKR 125

$1.87 LKR 576

Onion (1kg)

$1.36 LKR 418

$0.75 LKR 231

$2.28 LKR 703

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.15 LKR 354

$0.32 LKR 99.9

$1.98 LKR 608

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.45 LKR 139

$0.34 LKR 105

$1.03 LKR 317

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.02 LKR 3,083

$6.68 LKR 2,056

$11.69 LKR 3,596

Wine (Bottle)

$12.74 LKR 3,919

$9.79 LKR 3,013

$19.58 LKR 6,025

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.11 LKR 648

$1.48 LKR 455

$2.95 LKR 907

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.98 LKR 917

$1.71 LKR 526

$5.14 LKR 1,581

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.16 LKR 50.2

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.34 LKR 105

$0.61 LKR 189

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.33 LKR 100

$0.26 LKR 79.5

$0.65 LKR 200

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.57 LKR 177

$0.32 LKR 98.8

$1.18 LKR 362

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.2 LKR 369

$0.92 LKR 282

$1.39 LKR 429

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

$27.1K LKR 8.3M

$18.6K LKR 5.7M

$33.8K LKR 10.4M

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

$34.9K LKR 10.7M

$26.9K LKR 8.3M

$50.4K LKR 15.5M

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

$59.7 LKR 18.4K

$33.21 LKR 10.2K

$99.6 LKR 30.7K

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

$4.21 LKR 1,294

$2.54 LKR 780

$8.13 LKR 2,502

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$13.65 LKR 4,202

$8.54 LKR 2,626

$40.97 LKR 12.6K

Cinema Ticket

$3.43 LKR 1,056

$2.57 LKR 791

$5.49 LKR 1,689

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$37.46 LKR 11.5K

$17.03 LKR 5,239

$68.1 LKR 21K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$442 LKR 136K

$252 LKR 77.4K

$1,007 LKR 309.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.28 LKR 8,394

$11.6 LKR 3,571

$66.3 LKR 20.4K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.6 LKR 6,032

$6.77 LKR 2,084

$44.01 LKR 13.5K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$68.4 LKR 21.1K

$32.99 LKR 10.2K

$115 LKR 35.5K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.06 LKR 11.7K

$18.1 LKR 5,569

$77.3 LKR 23.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$191 LKR 58.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$148 LKR 45.7K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

16.45

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

Last update: November 24, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

⛩️ Asia

Cost of Living in Galle - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with major Sri Lankan cities and popular coastal hubs, Galle offers a relaxed pace and sensible value. You will find comfortable guesthouses, long-stay apartments, and home-like rentals that avoid tourist surcharges. For digital nomads and expats, daily costs tend to be predictable if you lean on local eateries, markets, and modestly sized homes near good transport links. The Cost of Living in Galle tends to stay approachable when you balance location with season, avoiding peak holiday spikes. Budget-friendly options in the Fort and nearby lanes are common if you shop around and negotiate longer stays. Tip: test several neighborhoods for a week to gauge vibe and affordability.

Daily life in Galle blends seaside charm with practical routines. For housing, the Fort and nearby lanes give easy access to cafes, markets, and the train, while inland pockets tend to be quieter and a touch more affordable. Food options span vibrant street stalls, fresh markets, and casual cafés, letting you tailor meals to budget and taste. Getting around is easy by tuk tuk, scooter, or on foot; the railway makes occasional trips to Colombo practical. Shopping and errands are straightforward in town, with reliable supermarkets and local shops. The Galle living cost can vary by area and season. Tip: plan a weekly routine around the morning markets and off-peak travel times.

Quality of life in Galle comes from a simple budgeting framework: categorize essentials, flexible spending, and a buffer for rainy days or trips. Start with housing that suits your work rhythm – Fort-area studios for easy access to cafes and coworking, or quieter lanes inland for lower rents. Build a weekly food plan around fresh markets and occasional dine-outs, and set a transport habit – tuk-tuks for short hops, buses for longer trips, occasional rentals for weekend getaways. Seasonal shifts influence mood and crowds at popular spots; use this to time visits and finding quieter weeks. Tip: keep a small savings cushion to cover visa, health, and travel needs.