Cost of Living in Kandy - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $424 (excluding rent), and $548 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $993 (excluding rent), and $1,176 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.7 LKR 830

$1.63 LKR 502

$8.18 LKR 2,518

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$11.74 LKR 3,614

$10.07 LKR 3,099

$50.3 LKR 15.5K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.7 LKR 2,063

$6.19 LKR 1,905

$10.32 LKR 3,175

Cappuccino

$2.68 LKR 826

$1.02 LKR 315

$4.12 LKR 1,267

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

$0.65 LKR 199

$0.42 LKR 128

$1.4 LKR 430

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.3 LKR 92.3

$0.19 LKR 59.5

$0.81 LKR 250

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.2 LKR 678

$1.53 LKR 470

$3.39 LKR 1,042

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.3 LKR 1,015

$2.3 LKR 709

$6.6 LKR 2,030

Milk (1 liter)

$1.39 LKR 427

$0.65 LKR 200

$2.12 LKR 651

White Bread (500g)

$0.55 LKR 170

$0.48 LKR 148

$1.54 LKR 475

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.83 LKR 255

$0.39 LKR 122

$1.32 LKR 407

Eggs

$2.19 LKR 673

$1.24 LKR 380

$2.67 LKR 821

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.67 LKR 2,669

$4 LKR 1,232

$31.35 LKR 9,646

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.63 LKR 1,424

$1.99 LKR 613

$8.63 LKR 2,655

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.96 LKR 2,450

$3.32 LKR 1,021

$11.61 LKR 3,572

Apples (1kg)

$4.45 LKR 1,369

$1.98 LKR 609

$9.89 LKR 3,044

Banana (1kg)

$1.02 LKR 314

$0.51 LKR 157

$2.05 LKR 630

Oranges (1kg)

$3.62 LKR 1,114

$1.65 LKR 508

$9.94 LKR 3,059

Tomato (1kg)

$1.22 LKR 374

$0.4 LKR 122

$3.71 LKR 1,141

Potato (1kg)

$1.16 LKR 356

$0.41 LKR 126

$2.06 LKR 634

Onion (1kg)

$1.26 LKR 387

$0.66 LKR 204

$2.65 LKR 816

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.78 LKR 239

$0.34 LKR 105

$2.08 LKR 639

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 LKR 170

$0.38 LKR 117

$0.95 LKR 292

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.25 LKR 2,848

$6.17 LKR 1,899

$12 LKR 3,692

Wine (Bottle)

$12.58 LKR 3,870

$8.06 LKR 2,481

$22.57 LKR 6,945

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.99 LKR 613

$1.3 LKR 401

$2.79 LKR 858

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.75 LKR 845

$1.64 LKR 506

$4.94 LKR 1,520

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.18 LKR 55.8

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$14.95 LKR 4,599

$4.98 LKR 1,532

$24.9 LKR 7,663

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.42 LKR 128

$0.34 LKR 106

$0.61 LKR 189

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.36 LKR 109

$0.28 LKR 86.9

$0.71 LKR 219

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.43 LKR 133

$0.34 LKR 104

$1.24 LKR 382

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.21 LKR 373

$1.02 LKR 312

$1.41 LKR 434

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

$18K LKR 5.5M

$15.8K LKR 4.9M

$33.7K LKR 10.4M

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

$20.9K LKR 6.4M

$17.2K LKR 5.3M

$49.5K LKR 15.2M

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

$40.66 LKR 12.5K

$21.72 LKR 6,682

$100 LKR 30.8K

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

$4.43 LKR 1,362

$2.67 LKR 821

$9.59 LKR 2,951

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.03 LKR 4,624

$6.65 LKR 2,046

$39.88 LKR 12.3K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$15.31 LKR 4,711

$11.91 LKR 3,664

$17.01 LKR 5,233

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.77 LKR 1,776

$2.04 LKR 628

$10.2 LKR 3,138

Cinema Ticket

$3.41 LKR 1,048

$2.55 LKR 786

$5.45 LKR 1,677

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

$37.29 LKR 11.5K

$16.95 LKR 5,215

$254 LKR 78.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$320 LKR 98.4K

$199 LKR 61.3K

$996 LKR 306.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.44 LKR 8,444

$11.67 LKR 3,592

$66.7 LKR 20.5K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.08 LKR 4,333

$6.6 LKR 2,032

$42.89 LKR 13.2K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$57.7 LKR 17.8K

$33.95 LKR 10.4K

$119 LKR 36.6K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$29.42 LKR 9,053

$18.32 LKR 5,638

$78.3 LKR 24.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$134 LKR 41.4K

$118 LKR 36.2K

$151 LKR 46.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$85.3 LKR 26.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$219 LKR 67.4K

$152 LKR 46.7K

$337 LKR 103.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$164 LKR 50.5K

$84.9 LKR 26.1K

$289 LKR 88.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$431 LKR 132.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$436 LKR 134.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$371 LKR 114.1K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: November 29, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

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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.