Cost of Living in Kurunegala - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $420 (excluding rent), and $452 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,052 (excluding rent), and $1,086 including rent.
Currency
Do you live in Kurunegala? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.97 LKR 588
$1.7 LKR 508
$8.53 LKR 2,548
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.47 LKR 7,610
$16.98 LKR 5,073
$51 LKR 15.2K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.9 LKR 1,464
$4.9 LKR 1,464
$9.81 LKR 2,931
Cappuccino
$2.72 LKR 814
$1.18 LKR 354
$4.07 LKR 1,216
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.4 LKR 120
$0.32 LKR 94.3
$1.28 LKR 383
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.4 LKR 121
$0.31 LKR 92.9
$0.87 LKR 260
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.89 LKR 564
$1.14 LKR 342
$3.27 LKR 978
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.89 LKR 862
$2.3 LKR 688
$6.6 LKR 1,971
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.62 LKR 485
$1.47 LKR 438
$1.79 LKR 534
White Bread (500g)
$0.48 LKR 142
$0.45 LKR 134
$1.44 LKR 429
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.83 LKR 247
$0.66 LKR 197
$1.32 LKR 393
Eggs
$2.23 LKR 668
$1.25 LKR 372
$2.69 LKR 803
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.23 LKR 4,251
$4.4 LKR 1,313
$31.81 LKR 9,504
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.77 LKR 1,424
$3.07 LKR 918
$8.89 LKR 2,656
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.18 LKR 2,443
$5.45 LKR 1,629
$11.92 LKR 3,562
Apples (1kg)
$7.42 LKR 2,216
$1.99 LKR 595
$9.96 LKR 2,977
Banana (1kg)
$1.12 LKR 335
$0.69 LKR 206
$2.06 LKR 617
Oranges (1kg)
$5.88 LKR 1,757
$1.7 LKR 507
$10.21 LKR 3,049
Tomato (1kg)
$1.2 LKR 359
$0.49 LKR 146
$2.29 LKR 684
Potato (1kg)
$1.15 LKR 344
$0.41 LKR 122
$1.7 LKR 509
Onion (1kg)
$1.4 LKR 419
$0.78 LKR 232
$2.36 LKR 705
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.18 LKR 353
$0.33 LKR 99.7
$2.03 LKR 607
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.57 LKR 170
$0.39 LKR 117
$0.98 LKR 292
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.02 LKR 2,995
$6.68 LKR 1,996
$11.69 LKR 3,492
Wine (Bottle)
$14.06 LKR 4,201
$8.27 LKR 2,471
$23.16 LKR 6,919
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2 LKR 598
$1.4 LKR 420
$2.8 LKR 837
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.98 LKR 892
$1.71 LKR 512
$5.15 LKR 1,538
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.34 LKR 103
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.42 LKR 125
$0.34 LKR 103
$0.62 LKR 184
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.33 LKR 97.7
$0.26 LKR 77.6
$0.65 LKR 195
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$0.61 LKR 183
$0.34 LKR 102
$1.26 LKR 376
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.21 LKR 362
$1.01 LKR 303
$1.41 LKR 421
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.4K LKR 7.9M
$18.2K LKR 5.4M
$33.1K LKR 9.9M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.1K LKR 10.5M
$27K LKR 8.1M
$50.7K LKR 15.1M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$26.28 LKR 7,852
$26.28 LKR 7,852
$98.5 LKR 29.4K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.04 LKR 609
$2.04 LKR 609
$6.79 LKR 2,029
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.12 LKR 4,518
$8.4 LKR 2,509
$40.32 LKR 12K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$8.31 LKR 2,484
-
Cinema Ticket
$1.32 LKR 395
$1.32 LKR 395
$5.29 LKR 1,581
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$37.03 LKR 11.1K
$16.83 LKR 5,029
$67.3 LKR 20.1K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$448 LKR 133.8K
$255 LKR 76.2K
$1,020 LKR 304.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$11.57 LKR 3,458
$11.57 LKR 3,458
$66.1 LKR 19.8K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.59 LKR 5,852
$6.77 LKR 2,022
$43.97 LKR 13.1K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$43.18 LKR 12.9K
$33.21 LKR 9,922
$116 LKR 34.7K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$38.31 LKR 11.4K
$18.22 LKR 5,443
$77.8 LKR 23.3K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$99.6 LKR 29.8K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$198 LKR 59.3K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$99.6 LKR 29.8K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
16.45
12
20
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
City tags:
Cost of Living in Kurunegala - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kurunegala a good value for money overall for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Cost of Living in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka tends to be more approachable than in Sri Lanka's larger cities. You’ll notice cheaper rents, affordable street snacks, and a slower-paced daily rhythm that helps budgets stretch. Look for guesthouses or small apartments rather than hotels to maximize value. Central areas let you walk to markets and errands, while quieter neighborhoods reduce commute time. Transportation is typically economical, and services cater to short- and mid-term stays. For longer visits, consider a longer lease or family-run arrangements to save further. Tip: plan your days around local markets to mix practicality with local flavor.
What is daily life like in Kurunegala in terms of housing, food, transport, and errands?
Kurunegala, Sri Lanka living cost sits in the middle for many visitors, making everyday life feel balanced. Housing options range from compact apartments to simple guesthouses, with a focus on practical terms rather than luxury. Food is plentiful and inexpensive, from local curries to fresh produce at markets. Getting around is straightforward: tuk-tuks, buses, or bicycles cover most needs. For errands, expect reliable shops, banks, and pharmacies within reach of the town center. If you work remotely, seek cafes or co-working spaces with steady Wi-Fi. Tip: keep a flexible schedule to catch tailors or market sellers at their best times.
How can you optimize your budget and choose a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle in Kurunegala?
Quality of life in Kurunegala blends easy access to services with a relaxed, small-town rhythm. A practical budgeting approach is to separate essential housing and transport from discretionary spends, then adapt as you gauge local prices over a couple of weeks. Save by cooking at home, shopping at the daily markets, and choosing casual eateries over tourist spots. Neighborhood fit depends on your routine: central areas keep errands efficient, while outlying residential lanes offer more space and quieter mornings. Seasonality affects outdoor plans – drier periods are better for longer walks or day trips. Tip: test a few different districts during a weekend to compare noise, safety, and convenience.
Join the CityCost newsletter – low traffic, no spam, and easy to unsubscribe. Your email stays private.