Cost of Living in Kandy - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $379 (excluding rent), and $538 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $874 (excluding rent), and $1,155 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.82 LKR 873

$1.71 LKR 528

$8.55 LKR 2,648

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$11.95 LKR 3,698

$10.25 LKR 3,171

$51.2 LKR 15.9K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.42 LKR 1,987

$5.93 LKR 1,835

$9.88 LKR 3,058

Cappuccino

$2.61 LKR 807

$0.99 LKR 308

$4.00 LKR 1,238

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

$0.64 LKR 199

$0.41 LKR 128

$1.39 LKR 429

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.30 LKR 92.6

$0.19 LKR 59.8

$0.81 LKR 251

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.16 LKR 670

$1.50 LKR 464

$3.33 LKR 1,030

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.33 LKR 1,030

$2.33 LKR 720

$6.66 LKR 2,061

Milk (1 liter)

$1.40 LKR 434

$0.66 LKR 203

$2.14 LKR 662

White Bread (500g)

$0.52 LKR 160

$0.45 LKR 139

$1.44 LKR 447

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.82 LKR 254

$0.39 LKR 121

$1.31 LKR 405

Eggs

$2.15 LKR 666

$1.22 LKR 377

$2.63 LKR 813

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.64 LKR 2,674

$3.99 LKR 1,234

$31.22 LKR 9,664

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.73 LKR 1,463

$2.03 LKR 629

$8.81 LKR 2,728

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.06 LKR 2,495

$3.36 LKR 1,039

$11.75 LKR 3,637

Apples (1kg)

$4.43 LKR 1,372

$1.97 LKR 610

$9.86 LKR 3,051

Banana (1kg)

$0.97 LKR 301

$0.49 LKR 150

$1.95 LKR 605

Oranges (1kg)

$3.76 LKR 1,164

$1.72 LKR 531

$10.33 LKR 3,196

Tomato (1kg)

$1.22 LKR 377

$0.40 LKR 123

$3.71 LKR 1,149

Potato (1kg)

$1.12 LKR 346

$0.40 LKR 122

$1.99 LKR 615

Onion (1kg)

$1.24 LKR 384

$0.65 LKR 202

$2.61 LKR 809

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 LKR 223

$0.32 LKR 98.3

$1.93 LKR 598

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.59 LKR 183

$0.41 LKR 126

$1.02 LKR 316

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.25 LKR 2,862

$6.17 LKR 1,909

$11.99 LKR 3,710

Wine (Bottle)

$12.49 LKR 3,865

$8.22 LKR 2,543

$19.72 LKR 6,102

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.10 LKR 651

$1.37 LKR 425

$2.94 LKR 911

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.73 LKR 845

$1.63 LKR 506

$4.91 LKR 1,520

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.18 LKR 56.6

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$15.16 LKR 4,691

$5.05 LKR 1,563

$25.25 LKR 7,816

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.39 LKR 120

$0.32 LKR 98.9

$0.57 LKR 177

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.35 LKR 109

$0.28 LKR 86.9

$0.71 LKR 219

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.44 LKR 135

$0.34 LKR 106

$1.25 LKR 388

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 LKR 370

$1.00 LKR 310

$1.39 LKR 431

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

$17.7K LKR 5.5M

$15.5K LKR 4.8M

$33.0K LKR 10.2M

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

$21.3K LKR 6.6M

$17.4K LKR 5.4M

$50.2K LKR 15.5M

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

$39.97 LKR 12.4K

$21.35 LKR 6,609

$98.6 LKR 30.5K

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

$4.30 LKR 1,330

$2.59 LKR 802

$9.31 LKR 2,882

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.38 LKR 4,759

$6.80 LKR 2,106

$40.81 LKR 12.6K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$15.30 LKR 4,735

$11.90 LKR 3,682

$16.99 LKR 5,259

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.85 LKR 1,811

$2.07 LKR 640

$10.34 LKR 3,199

Cinema Ticket

$3.37 LKR 1,042

$2.52 LKR 781

$5.39 LKR 1,667

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

$37.48 LKR 11.6K

$17.04 LKR 5,273

$256 LKR 79.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$328 LKR 101.6K

$204 LKR 63.3K

$1,022 LKR 316.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.86 LKR 8,623

$11.85 LKR 3,668

$67.7 LKR 21.0K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.52 LKR 4,494

$6.81 LKR 2,107

$44.23 LKR 13.7K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$56.6 LKR 17.5K

$33.30 LKR 10.3K

$117 LKR 36.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$29.17 LKR 9,030

$18.17 LKR 5,623

$77.6 LKR 24.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$134 LKR 41.4K

$117 LKR 36.3K

$151 LKR 46.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$84.5 LKR 26.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$220 LKR 68.2K

$153 LKR 47.2K

$339 LKR 105.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$164 LKR 50.7K

$84.7 LKR 26.2K

$288 LKR 89.2K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$438 LKR 135.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$427 LKR 132.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$267 LKR 82.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: January 11, 2026

Kandy Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

⛩️ Asia

Cost of Living in Kandy - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Kandy, Sri Lanka tends to be favorable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who prioritize value over prestige. Mid-range guesthouses, local eateries, and reliable public transport offer a comfortable baseline without the sticker shock you might find in bigger cities. The city's pace and proximity to nature can improve your daily quality of life while keeping daily costs predictable, especially if you favor locally-owned services. If you work remotely, you can stretch a modest housing budget by choosing older apartment blocks with communal facilities rather than luxury flats. Tip: Start with a short-term stay to test neighborhoods.

To navigate daily life in Kandy, start by exploring neighborhoods around the lake and the rail station for easy access to transit and amenities. Housing options range from compact flats to family homes, with prices depending on proximity to the city center or forested hillside areas. For food, you will enjoy affordable, flavorful Sinhala curries at local markets and small eateries; groceries are generally budget-friendly if you shop seasonal produce. Transport is flexible: buses are cheap, tuk-tuks quick, and bicycles a healthy option for short trips. Kandy, Sri Lanka living cost stays moderate, especially outside peak tourist seasons. Tip: Pick up a transit card or local app to compare routes before you set out.

Quality of life in Kandy can feel balanced if you plan around seasonal shifts and personal pace. Budgeting works best with a simple framework: housing, food, transport, and activities; track subscriptions and utilities separately so you do not overspend. Save by cooking at home, buying produce at markets, and choosing guesthouses with inclusive rates. Seasonality affects groceries and travel; the rainy season can dampen outdoor plans, while temples, festivals, and nature outings offer rich, affordable experiences year-round. Neighborhood fit depends on your pace: central areas are walkable and lively, hillside wards offer cooler air and quieter streets. Tip: test a few neighborhoods during different weather days.