Cost of Living in Matara - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $424 (excluding rent), and $574 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,073 (excluding rent), and $1,269 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.56 LKR 792

$1.70 LKR 527

$8.53 LKR 2,641

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.30 LKR 7,829

$16.86 LKR 5,220

$50.6 LKR 15.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.49 LKR 2,627

$6.11 LKR 1,893

$10.19 LKR 3,154

Cappuccino

$2.73 LKR 844

$1.19 LKR 367

$4.07 LKR 1,261

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

$0.69 LKR 214

$0.49 LKR 150

$1.30 LKR 403

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.40 LKR 125

$0.31 LKR 96.2

$0.87 LKR 269

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.29 LKR 708

$1.48 LKR 457

$3.27 LKR 1,013

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.30 LKR 1,020

$2.30 LKR 713

$6.59 LKR 2,040

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 LKR 529

$1.50 LKR 464

$1.83 LKR 566

White Bread (500g)

$0.53 LKR 163

$0.46 LKR 142

$1.47 LKR 457

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.87 LKR 268

$0.69 LKR 214

$1.60 LKR 494

Eggs

$2.12 LKR 657

$1.18 LKR 366

$2.55 LKR 790

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.01 LKR 4,337

$4.33 LKR 1,340

$31.33 LKR 9,697

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.61 LKR 1,427

$2.97 LKR 920

$9.26 LKR 2,867

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.14 LKR 2,521

$5.43 LKR 1,681

$11.87 LKR 3,675

Apples (1kg)

$7.43 LKR 2,298

$2.00 LKR 618

$9.98 LKR 3,088

Banana (1kg)

$0.56 LKR 174

$0.42 LKR 129

$2.09 LKR 646

Oranges (1kg)

$5.93 LKR 1,834

$1.71 LKR 529

$10.29 LKR 3,184

Tomato (1kg)

$0.64 LKR 199

$0.48 LKR 148

$2.24 LKR 693

Potato (1kg)

$0.84 LKR 260

$0.39 LKR 122

$1.65 LKR 510

Onion (1kg)

$0.49 LKR 153

$0.39 LKR 120

$2.27 LKR 703

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.15 LKR 355

$0.32 LKR 100.0

$1.97 LKR 609

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.60 LKR 185

$0.41 LKR 127

$1.03 LKR 318

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.12 LKR 3,133

$6.75 LKR 2,089

$11.80 LKR 3,654

Wine (Bottle)

$13.69 LKR 4,236

$8.05 LKR 2,491

$19.32 LKR 5,978

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.00 LKR 618

$1.40 LKR 434

$2.79 LKR 865

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.93 LKR 907

$1.68 LKR 520

$5.05 LKR 1,564

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.16 LKR 50.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.41 LKR 128

$0.34 LKR 105

$0.61 LKR 188

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.33 LKR 102

$0.26 LKR 80.6

$0.66 LKR 203

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.57 LKR 177

$0.32 LKR 99.1

$1.17 LKR 363

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.21 LKR 375

$1.01 LKR 314

$1.41 LKR 436

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

$26.4K LKR 8.2M

$18.2K LKR 5.6M

$33.1K LKR 10.2M

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

$35.2K LKR 10.9M

$27.0K LKR 8.4M

$50.7K LKR 15.7M

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

$25.86 LKR 8,004

$18.23 LKR 5,644

$101 LKR 31.4K

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

$4.31 LKR 1,333

$2.02 LKR 626

$6.74 LKR 2,086

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$4.96 LKR 1,536

$39.73 LKR 12.3K

Cinema Ticket

$3.28 LKR 1,016

$2.46 LKR 761

$5.25 LKR 1,625

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

$36.36 LKR 11.3K

$16.52 LKR 5,115

$66.1 LKR 20.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$438 LKR 135.5K

$249 LKR 77.2K

$997 LKR 308.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.26 LKR 8,439

$11.60 LKR 3,590

$66.3 LKR 20.5K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.17 LKR 5,933

$6.62 LKR 2,050

$43.03 LKR 13.3K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$68.9 LKR 21.3K

$33.21 LKR 10.3K

$116 LKR 36.0K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.54 LKR 11.9K

$18.33 LKR 5,672

$78.3 LKR 24.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$166 LKR 51.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$119 LKR 36.9K

$102 LKR 31.6K

$136 LKR 42.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$512 LKR 158.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$165 LKR 51.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$97.9 LKR 30.3K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

16.45

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

Last update: January 11, 2026

Matara Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

⛩️ Asia

Cost of Living in Matara - Frequently Asked Questions

Matara can feel like a welcoming blend of comfort and value for longer stays. The Cost of Living in Matara, Sri Lanka tends to be gentler than big cities, thanks to a wide range of housing options from older apartments to homestays, plus nearby markets and casual eateries that keep meals affordable. You will find that casual guesthouses and mid-range rentals often include flexible terms, which helps when you are not sure how long you will stay. Seasonal fluctuations are milder than inland areas, but you will still notice busy tourist periods in coastal months. Tip: anchor your budget around housing and weekly groceries, then allow a small cushion for occasional outings.

Your housing hunt in Matara usually begins with local listings and a stroll through neighborhoods such as the coastal belt or inland lanes for price-to-value balance. Food options range from busy markets with fresh produce to casual eateries and seafood places along the promenade. For transport, tuk-tuks and coastal buses are common, while walking or cycling is feasible in the compact center. Errands like groceries, banks, and clinics cluster in central zones, while beaches and parks offer easy weekend downtime. Matara living cost considerations apply here: plan a weekly food plan and map a few budget-friendly suppliers. Tip: set a routine for errands to minimize back-and-forth and save time.

Quality of life in Matara hinges on pace, access to the coast, and practicality. Build a budgeting framework around housing, utilities, groceries, transport, and leisure, so you can adapt as needs shift. Seasonality affects crowds and rental terms, so consider shoulder-season stays for longer leases or flexible options. Neighborhood fit matters: pick areas with easy beach access if you want mornings by the water, or choose quieter inland streets for calmer evenings and lower noise. Practical tips include shopping where locals shop, trying coworking spaces if you work remotely, and taking short trips to nearby towns to stretch time and money. Tip: keep a small emergency fund to cover unexpected changes in plans.