Cost of Living in Polonnaruwa - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $476 (excluding rent), and $531 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,242 (excluding rent), and $1,173 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.92 LKR 1,211

$1.63 LKR 503

$8.16 LKR 2,522

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.43 LKR 7,860

$16.95 LKR 5,240

$50.9 LKR 15.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.55 LKR 2,642

$6.16 LKR 1,903

$10.27 LKR 3,172

Cappuccino

$2.64 LKR 815

$1.15 LKR 354

$3.94 LKR 1,218

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

$0.74 LKR 230

$0.52 LKR 162

$1.41 LKR 434

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.40 LKR 125

$0.31 LKR 95.8

$0.87 LKR 268

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.33 LKR 719

$1.50 LKR 464

$3.33 LKR 1,030

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.25 LKR 1,005

$2.27 LKR 702

$6.50 LKR 2,010

Milk (1 liter)

$1.70 LKR 527

$1.48 LKR 457

$1.80 LKR 557

White Bread (500g)

$0.52 LKR 160

$0.45 LKR 139

$1.44 LKR 447

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.85 LKR 264

$0.68 LKR 211

$1.36 LKR 421

Eggs

$2.19 LKR 678

$1.22 LKR 378

$2.64 LKR 816

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.22 LKR 4,394

$4.39 LKR 1,358

$31.79 LKR 9,825

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.74 LKR 1,464

$3.05 LKR 943

$8.83 LKR 2,730

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.19 LKR 2,530

$5.46 LKR 1,687

$11.93 LKR 3,688

Apples (1kg)

$7.55 LKR 2,332

$2.03 LKR 627

$10.14 LKR 3,133

Banana (1kg)

$1.11 LKR 344

$0.68 LKR 212

$2.05 LKR 635

Oranges (1kg)

$5.69 LKR 1,759

$1.64 LKR 507

$9.88 LKR 3,053

Tomato (1kg)

$1.24 LKR 384

$0.50 LKR 156

$2.36 LKR 730

Potato (1kg)

$1.12 LKR 345

$0.39 LKR 122

$1.65 LKR 509

Onion (1kg)

$1.41 LKR 435

$0.78 LKR 241

$2.37 LKR 732

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.14 LKR 351

$0.32 LKR 99.0

$1.95 LKR 603

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.60 LKR 184

$0.41 LKR 127

$1.03 LKR 317

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.94 LKR 3,073

$6.63 LKR 2,048

$11.59 LKR 3,583

Wine (Bottle)

$12.90 LKR 3,988

$8.07 LKR 2,494

$19.36 LKR 5,984

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.99 LKR 615

$1.40 LKR 432

$2.79 LKR 861

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.83 LKR 876

$1.63 LKR 503

$4.89 LKR 1,511

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.42 LKR 129

$0.34 LKR 106

$0.61 LKR 190

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.33 LKR 101

$0.26 LKR 80.2

$0.65 LKR 202

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.61 LKR 189

$0.34 LKR 106

$1.25 LKR 388

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 LKR 385

$1.04 LKR 323

$1.45 LKR 448

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

$26.6K LKR 8.2M

$18.3K LKR 5.6M

$33.2K LKR 10.3M

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

$35.4K LKR 10.9M

$27.2K LKR 8.4M

$51.0K LKR 15.8M

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

$60.0 LKR 18.5K

$33.36 LKR 10.3K

$100 LKR 30.9K

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

$4.34 LKR 1,342

$2.62 LKR 809

$6.72 LKR 2,076

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$14.86 LKR 4,594

$8.22 LKR 2,540

$39.45 LKR 12.2K

Cinema Ticket

$3.40 LKR 1,051

$2.55 LKR 787

$5.44 LKR 1,682

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

$36.53 LKR 11.3K

$16.60 LKR 5,131

$66.4 LKR 20.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$437 LKR 135.1K

$249 LKR 76.9K

$996 LKR 307.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.35 LKR 8,453

$11.64 LKR 3,596

$66.5 LKR 20.5K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.18 LKR 5,927

$6.63 LKR 2,048

$43.06 LKR 13.3K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$69.4 LKR 21.4K

$33.46 LKR 10.3K

$117 LKR 36.2K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.14 LKR 11.8K

$18.13 LKR 5,604

$77.5 LKR 23.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

16.45

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

Last update: March 2, 2026

Polonnaruwa 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 Polonnaruwa - Frequently Asked Questions

Polonnaruwa offers a gentle scale of affordability, especially for travelers, retirees, or digital nomads who value a slower pace and fewer crowds. The city’s everyday costs tilt toward modest, local options for meals, transport, and services, while imported goods and tourism-focused amenities push prices slightly higher in peak season. Overall, Cost of Living in Polonnaruwa tends to be friendlier than major urban hubs, with more room to stretch a budget when you rely on local markets, guesthouses, and public transport. Stay mindful of seasonal fluctuations around holidays and temple visits, and you’ll find value without sacrificing comfort. Tip: Consider a longer-term stay to negotiate better rates.

Daily life in Polonnaruwa centers on simple comforts, walkable neighborhoods, and easy access to historic sites. For housing, look for guesthouses or small hotels around the city center; weekly discounts are common if you stay longer. Food options range from street stalls to moderate restaurants serving Sri Lankan staples, often at very reasonable prices. Local transport is straightforward: tuk-tuks or bicycles for short hops, buses for longer trips. If you’re coworking, seek cafés with reliable Wi-Fi or a community space nearby. Polonnaruwa living cost remains approachable for most budgets when you prioritize local options. Tip: carry cash in small denominations for markets and taxis.

Quality of life in Polonnaruwa hinges on pace, access to nature, and community feel. Build a simple budgeting framework: set aside needs, plan monthly for food, transport, and housing, and keep a small buffer for spontaneous trips. Save by cooking at your guesthouse, shopping at markets, and sharing rides with others. Seasonality matters: the dry season brings clearer days for temple visits and cycling, while the monsoon can affect travel and outdoor plans. A good neighborhood mix pairs proximity to ruins with quiet residential streets and safe walking routes. Tip: set a weekly plan for errands to avoid back-and-forth trips.