Cost of Living in Kolonnawa - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $449 (excluding rent), and $513 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,116 (excluding rent), and $1,180 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.9 LKR 1,166
$1.62 LKR 484
$8.13 LKR 2,428
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.1 LKR 7,499
$16.73 LKR 5,000
$50.2 LKR 15K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.39 LKR 2,506
$6.04 LKR 1,805
$10.07 LKR 3,009
Cappuccino
$2.67 LKR 798
$1.16 LKR 347
$3.99 LKR 1,193
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74 LKR 221
$0.52 LKR 156
$1.4 LKR 418
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38 LKR 112
$0.29 LKR 86.5
$0.81 LKR 242
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.41 LKR 719
$1.55 LKR 464
$3.45 LKR 1,029
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.32 LKR 991
$2.32 LKR 692
$6.63 LKR 1,982
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.64 LKR 490
$1.48 LKR 443
$1.81 LKR 540
White Bread (500g)
$0.56 LKR 167
$0.49 LKR 145
$1.56 LKR 466
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.71 LKR 213
$0.65 LKR 195
$1.31 LKR 391
Eggs
$2.12 LKR 633
$1.18 LKR 353
$2.55 LKR 762
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.59 LKR 2,565
$4.46 LKR 1,333
$32.29 LKR 9,649
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.63 LKR 1,384
$2.99 LKR 892
$8.64 LKR 2,582
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.21 LKR 2,454
$5.48 LKR 1,636
$13.68 LKR 4,087
Apples (1kg)
$7.46 LKR 2,228
$2 LKR 599
$13.35 LKR 3,989
Banana (1kg)
$1.1 LKR 330
$0.68 LKR 203
$2.04 LKR 609
Oranges (1kg)
$5.69 LKR 1,700
$1.64 LKR 490
$9.88 LKR 2,951
Tomato (1kg)
$1.21 LKR 361
$0.49 LKR 147
$2.3 LKR 687
Potato (1kg)
$1.11 LKR 332
$0.39 LKR 118
$1.64 LKR 491
Onion (1kg)
$1.34 LKR 400
$0.75 LKR 225
$2.29 LKR 684
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.14 LKR 341
$0.32 LKR 96.3
$1.96 LKR 586
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52 LKR 155
$0.41 LKR 124
$1.04 LKR 310
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.21 LKR 3,050
$6.8 LKR 2,033
$11.9 LKR 3,556
Wine (Bottle)
$11.68 LKR 3,491
$8.34 LKR 2,493
$23.37 LKR 6,982
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.05 LKR 612
$1.47 LKR 438
$2.92 LKR 873
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.32 LKR 694
$1.63 LKR 487
$4.9 LKR 1,464
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.42 LKR 125
$0.34 LKR 103
$0.62 LKR 184
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.36 LKR 107
$0.28 LKR 84.6
$0.71 LKR 213
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$0.61 LKR 182
$0.34 LKR 102
$1.25 LKR 374
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.21 LKR 361
$1.01 LKR 303
$1.41 LKR 420
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.9K LKR 8.1M
$18.5K LKR 5.5M
$33.7K LKR 10.1M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.3K LKR 10.6M
$27.2K LKR 8.1M
$50.9K LKR 15.2M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$59.7 LKR 17.8K
$33.21 LKR 9,924
$99.7 LKR 29.8K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.22 LKR 1,260
$2.54 LKR 760
$6.53 LKR 1,950
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.35 LKR 4,587
$8.49 LKR 2,536
$40.74 LKR 12.2K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$10.11 LKR 3,020
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$1.63 LKR 488
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.41 LKR 1,020
$2.56 LKR 764
$5.46 LKR 1,633
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$37.22 LKR 11.1K
$16.92 LKR 5,054
$67.7 LKR 20.2K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$436 LKR 130.1K
$248 LKR 74.1K
$992 LKR 296.5K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.14 LKR 8,110
$11.55 LKR 3,450
$66 LKR 19.7K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.76 LKR 5,905
$6.83 LKR 2,040
$44.37 LKR 13.3K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$69.6 LKR 20.8K
$33.57 LKR 10K
$118 LKR 35.1K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$38.35 LKR 11.5K
$18.23 LKR 5,448
$77.9 LKR 23.3K
💵 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 Kolonnawa - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kolonnawa a good value for long stays or for digital nomads compared with central Colombo or other Sri Lankan cities?
Kolonnawa offers a practical mix of affordability and convenience for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. You’ll find relatively lower rents and everyday costs compared with central Colombo or popular seaside cities, especially for basic housing and meals. Yet you’ll notice trade-offs in speed of services and access to premium coworking spaces. For many, it’s a sweet spot: easy access to main roads, markets, and public transport while keeping daily expenses manageable. When you weigh convenience against pace, Cost of Living in Kolonnawa, Sri Lanka tends to reward those who prioritize location over luxury. Tip: start with a short-term stay to feel the neighborhood rhythm before committing long-term.
What does daily life look like in Kolonnawa, in terms of housing search, food options, transport, and errands?
Daily life in Kolonnawa blends local markets, casual eateries, and straightforward transport. In housing, you’ll typically find compact apartments in low-rise blocks within affordable ranges; use long-term searches to compare neighborhoods. For errands, rely on nearby markets, fruit stalls, and bakeries. Food options range from street snacks to small cafés; supermarkets cover basics. Transport is practical: buses and tuk-tuks are common, with easy access to Colombo for larger coworking spaces. [location] living cost is a handy shorthand when you’re budgeting across weeks, so track rent, transport, and groceries together. Tip: map a few core routes and keep a flexible schedule to avoid peak-hour delays.
What quality of life improvements and budgeting frameworks help you plan for Kolonnawa, Sri Lanka, including seasonality, neighborhood fit, and saving strategies?
Think of your month as four buckets: housing, food, transport, and activities. In Kolonnawa, Sri Lanka, you’ll find practical housing that suits varied routines, with quieter streets near markets and bus lines; pick a place that balances safety, water and power reliability, and internet access for remote work. Seasonal shifts influence market crowds and produce, so adjust meals and shopping days accordingly. A simple budgeting framework is to set a flexible monthly plan, track recurring costs, and build a small buffer for surprises. Neighborhood fit comes from near-term visits: test different blocks, watch commute times, and note noise levels at night. Tip: establish a local contact who can guide you to trusted landlords.
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