Cost of Living in Kataragama - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $461 (excluding rent), and $541 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,155 (excluding rent), and $1,212 including rent.
Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.08 LKR 1,219
$1.69 LKR 506
$8.49 LKR 2,537
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.8 LKR 7,410
$16.53 LKR 4,940
$49.61 LKR 14.8K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.43 LKR 2,517
$6.07 LKR 1,814
$10.12 LKR 3,023
Cappuccino
$2.73 LKR 815
$1.19 LKR 355
$4.08 LKR 1,219
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69 LKR 206
$0.48 LKR 145
$1.3 LKR 388
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37 LKR 111
$0.29 LKR 85.6
$0.8 LKR 240
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.35 LKR 704
$1.52 LKR 454
$3.37 LKR 1,007
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.26 LKR 973
$2.28 LKR 680
$6.52 LKR 1,947
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.71 LKR 512
$1.49 LKR 445
$1.81 LKR 542
White Bread (500g)
$0.53 LKR 158
$0.46 LKR 138
$1.48 LKR 443
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.8 LKR 239
$0.64 LKR 191
$1.28 LKR 382
Eggs
$2.18 LKR 652
$1.22 LKR 364
$2.63 LKR 785
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.98 LKR 4,176
$4.32 LKR 1,290
$31.25 LKR 9,337
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.58 LKR 1,369
$2.95 LKR 882
$8.54 LKR 2,553
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.14 LKR 2,433
$5.43 LKR 1,622
$11.87 LKR 3,547
Apples (1kg)
$7.6 LKR 2,272
$2.04 LKR 610
$10.21 LKR 3,052
Banana (1kg)
$1.08 LKR 322
$0.66 LKR 198
$1.99 LKR 594
Oranges (1kg)
$5.88 LKR 1,758
$1.7 LKR 507
$10.21 LKR 3,051
Tomato (1kg)
$1.27 LKR 378
$0.51 LKR 154
$2.41 LKR 719
Potato (1kg)
$1.15 LKR 343
$0.41 LKR 121
$1.7 LKR 507
Onion (1kg)
$1.41 LKR 420
$0.78 LKR 233
$2.37 LKR 708
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.15 LKR 343
$0.32 LKR 96.8
$1.97 LKR 590
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.57 LKR 170
$0.39 LKR 117
$0.98 LKR 294
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.21 LKR 3,051
$6.81 LKR 2,034
$11.91 LKR 3,558
Wine (Bottle)
$14.41 LKR 4,307
$8.48 LKR 2,533
$23.74 LKR 7,095
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.02 LKR 603
$1.42 LKR 424
$2.83 LKR 844
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.86 LKR 853
$1.64 LKR 490
$4.93 LKR 1,472
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.39 LKR 116
$0.32 LKR 95.9
$0.57 LKR 172
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.35 LKR 105
$0.28 LKR 83.2
$0.7 LKR 210
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$0.56 LKR 168
$0.31 LKR 94
$1.15 LKR 345
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.2 LKR 358
$1 LKR 300
$1.39 LKR 416
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.8K LKR 8M
$18.5K LKR 5.5M
$33.6K LKR 10M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.2K LKR 10.2M
$26.3K LKR 7.9M
$49.3K LKR 14.7M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$60.2 LKR 18K
$33.47 LKR 10,000
$100 LKR 30K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.39 LKR 1,312
$2.65 LKR 791
$6.79 LKR 2,029
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.98 LKR 4,475
$8.28 LKR 2,474
$39.75 LKR 11.9K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Cinema Ticket
$3.25 LKR 972
$2.44 LKR 728
$5.21 LKR 1,556
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$36.31 LKR 10.8K
$16.5 LKR 4,931
$66 LKR 19.7K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$438 LKR 130.8K
$249 LKR 74.5K
$998 LKR 298K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.92 LKR 8,342
$11.88 LKR 3,549
$67.9 LKR 20.3K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.14 LKR 5,719
$6.61 LKR 1,976
$42.97 LKR 12.8K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$70.4 LKR 21K
$33.92 LKR 10.1K
$119 LKR 35.5K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$38.03 LKR 11.4K
$18.08 LKR 5,402
$77.2 LKR 23.1K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
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 Kataragama - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kataragama good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare to other Sri Lankan towns for everyday living?
Kataragama tends to feel accessible for travelers and remote workers who budget carefully, with lodging and meals that can be adjusted to your schedule. The Cost of Living in Kataragama can vary with the season and how you mix self-catering with local eateries, but you’ll generally find options that are easy to manage without heavy planning. Basic comforts are affordable relative to larger cities, and prices drop outside peak pilgrimage times. Some services run with limited hours, so you plan ahead for transport, groceries, and occasional comforts. Tip: Build a flexible itinerary that balances sacred site visits with downtime.
What are practical daily-life considerations for housing, food, transport, coworking, and errands in Kataragama?
In Kataragama, you’ll find guesthouses and small homestays that offer simple rooms with fan cooling and shared bathrooms, plus occasional kitchen access. For longer stays, negotiate weekly or monthly rates directly with hosts. Local markets and small eateries provide fresh staples if you cook, while street stalls serve quick, flavorful meals on the go. Transport commonly revolves around tuk-tuks or rented scooters, with walking as a pleasant option around the temple complex. Internet access ranges from cafe networks to mobile data; expect variability. Kataragama living cost considerations help you budget for daily errands and lodging. Tip: Have a simple weekly plan and a backup option for connectivity.
What should you know about quality of life, budgeting frameworks, seasonality, and neighborhood fit when choosing where to stay in Kataragama?
The overall quality of life in Kataragama leans toward a slower pace, with easy access to nature, sacred sites, and a tight-knit community. Use a simple budgeting framework: track weekly meals, transport, and lodging as separate buckets, then adjust as you explore. Seasonal rhythms shift crowds and hotel availability, so allow flexibility during festival periods or long weekends. Neighborhood fit often means staying near the temple complex for convenience or choosing quieter lanes a short ride away for restful nights. Practical savings come from cooking when possible and negotiating longer stays; public transport remains affordable and straightforward. Tip: Build your stay around a few reliable routines to keep travel fatigue low.
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