Cost of Living in Polonnaruwa - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $503 (excluding rent), and $521 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,150 (excluding rent), and $1,206 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.92 LKR 1,208

$1.63 LKR 502

$8.17 LKR 2,514

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.45 LKR 7,831

$16.97 LKR 5,221

$50.9 LKR 15.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.28 LKR 2,549

$5.97 LKR 1,837

$9.95 LKR 3,061

Cappuccino

$2.77 LKR 851

$1.2 LKR 370

$4.14 LKR 1,272

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

$0.69 LKR 214

$0.49 LKR 151

$1.31 LKR 403

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 LKR 115

$0.29 LKR 88.8

$0.81 LKR 249

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.32 LKR 714

$1.5 LKR 461

$3.32 LKR 1,022

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.37 LKR 1,037

$2.35 LKR 724

$6.74 LKR 2,074

Milk (1 liter)

$1.78 LKR 548

$1.55 LKR 476

$1.88 LKR 579

White Bread (500g)

$0.56 LKR 174

$0.49 LKR 151

$1.58 LKR 486

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.83 LKR 255

$0.66 LKR 204

$1.32 LKR 407

Eggs

$2.13 LKR 654

$1.19 LKR 365

$2.56 LKR 787

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.89 LKR 4,273

$4.29 LKR 1,320

$31.05 LKR 9,553

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.55 LKR 1,401

$2.94 LKR 903

$8.49 LKR 2,613

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.23 LKR 2,533

$5.49 LKR 1,689

$12 LKR 3,693

Apples (1kg)

$7.65 LKR 2,354

$2.06 LKR 633

$10.28 LKR 3,163

Banana (1kg)

$1.11 LKR 340

$0.68 LKR 209

$2.04 LKR 628

Oranges (1kg)

$5.72 LKR 1,759

$1.65 LKR 507

$9.92 LKR 3,053

Tomato (1kg)

$1.19 LKR 368

$0.49 LKR 149

$2.27 LKR 699

Potato (1kg)

$1.11 LKR 343

$0.39 LKR 121

$1.65 LKR 507

Onion (1kg)

$1.38 LKR 424

$0.76 LKR 235

$2.32 LKR 713

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.15 LKR 354

$0.32 LKR 99.7

$1.97 LKR 608

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.6 LKR 184

$0.41 LKR 127

$1.03 LKR 318

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.24 LKR 3,151

$6.83 LKR 2,101

$11.94 LKR 3,675

Wine (Bottle)

$14.38 LKR 4,426

$7.99 LKR 2,459

$22.37 LKR 6,885

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.07 LKR 638

$1.46 LKR 448

$2.9 LKR 894

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.89 LKR 890

$1.66 LKR 511

$4.99 LKR 1,536

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.41 LKR 127

$0.34 LKR 105

$0.61 LKR 188

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.32 LKR 99.9

$0.26 LKR 79.4

$0.65 LKR 200

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.58 LKR 178

$0.32 LKR 99.8

$1.19 LKR 366

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.2 LKR 368

$1 LKR 308

$1.39 LKR 428

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

$26.8K LKR 8.3M

$18.4K LKR 5.7M

$33.5K 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 15.5M

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

$61.1 LKR 18.8K

$33.99 LKR 10.5K

$102 LKR 31.4K

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)

$15.38 LKR 4,732

$8.5 LKR 2,616

$40.81 LKR 12.6K

Cinema Ticket

$3.27 LKR 1,006

$2.45 LKR 754

$5.23 LKR 1,610

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

$37.51 LKR 11.5K

$17.05 LKR 5,247

$68.2 LKR 21K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$437 LKR 134.6K

$249 LKR 76.7K

$996 LKR 306.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.46 LKR 8,449

$11.68 LKR 3,594

$66.7 LKR 20.5K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.35 LKR 5,955

$6.69 LKR 2,058

$43.45 LKR 13.4K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$68.7 LKR 21.2K

$33.14 LKR 10.2K

$116 LKR 35.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$39.48 LKR 12.1K

$18.77 LKR 5,776

$80.2 LKR 24.7K

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

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.