Cost of Living in Kataragama - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $485 (excluding rent), and $538 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,264 (excluding rent), and $1,191 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.04 LKR 1,242

$1.68 LKR 516

$8.41 LKR 2,587

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.55 LKR 7,863

$17.04 LKR 5,242

$51.1 LKR 15.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.21 LKR 2,525

$5.91 LKR 1,819

$9.85 LKR 3,032

Cappuccino

$2.63 LKR 809

$1.14 LKR 352

$3.93 LKR 1,209

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

$0.74 LKR 228

$0.52 LKR 160

$1.4 LKR 429

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.4 LKR 124

$0.31 LKR 95.4

$0.87 LKR 267

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.4 LKR 738

$1.55 LKR 476

$3.43 LKR 1,056

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.34 LKR 1,027

$2.33 LKR 718

$6.68 LKR 2,054

Milk (1 liter)

$1.73 LKR 532

$1.5 LKR 462

$1.83 LKR 563

White Bread (500g)

$0.52 LKR 161

$0.46 LKR 140

$1.46 LKR 450

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.83 LKR 255

$0.66 LKR 203

$1.32 LKR 406

Eggs

$2.2 LKR 678

$1.23 LKR 378

$2.65 LKR 816

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.35 LKR 4,416

$4.43 LKR 1,364

$32.08 LKR 9,872

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.63 LKR 1,426

$2.99 LKR 919

$8.64 LKR 2,660

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.91 LKR 2,435

$5.28 LKR 1,623

$11.54 LKR 3,550

Apples (1kg)

$7.45 LKR 2,291

$2 LKR 616

$10 LKR 3,079

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 LKR 325

$0.65 LKR 200

$1.95 LKR 600

Oranges (1kg)

$5.76 LKR 1,772

$1.66 LKR 511

$9.99 LKR 3,075

Tomato (1kg)

$1.21 LKR 373

$0.49 LKR 152

$2.31 LKR 710

Potato (1kg)

$1.1 LKR 338

$0.39 LKR 120

$1.62 LKR 499

Onion (1kg)

$1.37 LKR 421

$0.76 LKR 233

$2.3 LKR 709

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.2 LKR 370

$0.34 LKR 104

$2.07 LKR 635

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 LKR 173

$0.39 LKR 119

$0.97 LKR 298

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.09 LKR 3,103

$6.72 LKR 2,069

$11.76 LKR 3,619

Wine (Bottle)

$14.47 LKR 4,454

$8.04 LKR 2,475

$22.52 LKR 6,929

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.08 LKR 639

$1.46 LKR 449

$2.91 LKR 894

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.83 LKR 871

$1.62 LKR 500

$4.88 LKR 1,502

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.38 LKR 117

$0.31 LKR 96.8

$0.56 LKR 173

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.33 LKR 100

$0.26 LKR 79.7

$0.65 LKR 201

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.57 LKR 176

$0.32 LKR 98.6

$1.18 LKR 362

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.21 LKR 373

$1.02 LKR 313

$1.41 LKR 434

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

$26.9K LKR 8.3M

$18.5K LKR 5.7M

$33.6K LKR 10.3M

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

$34.8K LKR 10.7M

$26.8K LKR 8.2M

$50.2K LKR 15.4M

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

$60.5 LKR 18.6K

$33.64 LKR 10.4K

$101 LKR 31.1K

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

$4.41 LKR 1,357

$2.66 LKR 818

$6.82 LKR 2,099

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.31 LKR 4,712

$8.47 LKR 2,605

$40.64 LKR 12.5K

Cinema Ticket

$3.3 LKR 1,017

$2.48 LKR 762

$5.29 LKR 1,627

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

$36.24 LKR 11.2K

$16.47 LKR 5,068

$65.9 LKR 20.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$440 LKR 135.3K

$250 LKR 77K

$1,002 LKR 308.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.04 LKR 8,319

$11.5 LKR 3,539

$65.7 LKR 20.2K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.11 LKR 5,880

$6.6 LKR 2,032

$42.9 LKR 13.2K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$68.9 LKR 21.2K

$33.2 LKR 10.2K

$116 LKR 35.8K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.07 LKR 11.7K

$18.1 LKR 5,570

$77.3 LKR 23.8K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

16.45

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

Last update: December 2, 2025

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Cost of Living in Kataragama - Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.