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Cost of Living in Polonnaruwa - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $451 (excluding rent), and $535 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,153 (excluding rent), and $1,213 including rent.
Currency
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๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.98 LKRย 1,231
$1.65 LKRย 512
$8.28 LKRย 2,564
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.22 LKRย 7,807
$16.82 LKRย 5,205
$50.5 LKRย 15.6K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.19 LKRย 2,534
$5.90 LKRย 1,825
$9.83 LKRย 3,042
Cappuccino
$2.67 LKRย 828
$1.16 LKRย 360
$4.00 LKRย 1,237
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73 LKRย 226
$0.51 LKRย 159
$1.38 LKRย 427
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40 LKRย 125
$0.31 LKRย 95.8
$0.87 LKRย 268
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.30 LKRย 713
$1.49 LKRย 460
$3.30 LKRย 1,020
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.29 LKRย 1,018
$2.30 LKRย 711
$6.57 LKRย 2,035
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.79 LKRย 554
$1.55 LKRย 481
$1.89 LKRย 586
White Bread (500g)
$0.51 LKRย 159
$0.45 LKRย 138
$1.44 LKRย 444
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.86 LKRย 265
$0.68 LKRย 211
$1.36 LKRย 422
Eggs
$2.14 LKRย 662
$1.19 LKRย 369
$2.57 LKRย 796
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.13 LKRย 4,374
$4.37 LKRย 1,351
$31.59 LKRย 9,779
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.73 LKRย 1,465
$3.05 LKRย 944
$8.83 LKRย 2,733
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.23 LKRย 2,548
$5.49 LKRย 1,699
$12.00 LKRย 3,715
Apples (1kg)
$7.50 LKRย 2,320
$2.01 LKRย 623
$10.07 LKRย 3,117
Banana (1kg)
$1.07 LKRย 330
$0.66 LKRย 203
$1.97 LKRย 608
Oranges (1kg)
$5.77 LKRย 1,785
$1.66 LKRย 515
$10.01 LKRย 3,098
Tomato (1kg)
$1.19 LKRย 369
$0.49 LKRย 150
$2.27 LKRย 703
Potato (1kg)
$1.10 LKRย 342
$0.39 LKRย 121
$1.63 LKRย 505
Onion (1kg)
$1.40 LKRย 435
$0.78 LKRย 241
$2.36 LKRย 732
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.15 LKRย 357
$0.32 LKRย 101
$1.98 LKRย 613
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.60 LKRย 185
$0.41 LKRย 128
$1.03 LKRย 319
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.94 LKRย 3,078
$6.63 LKRย 2,052
$11.60 LKRย 3,590
Wine (Bottle)
$13.56 LKRย 4,197
$7.97 LKRย 2,468
$19.13 LKRย 5,922
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.07 LKRย 640
$1.45 LKRย 450
$2.90 LKRย 896
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87 LKRย 889
$1.65 LKRย 510
$4.96 LKRย 1,534
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Cost
Range
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.38 LKRย 118
$0.31 LKRย 97.2
$0.56 LKRย 174
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.36 LKRย 110
$0.28 LKRย 87.4
$0.71 LKRย 220
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$0.61 LKRย 188
$0.34 LKRย 105
$1.24 LKRย 385
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.20 LKRย 372
$1.01 LKRย 312
$1.40 LKRย 433
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.3K LKRย 8.4M
$18.7K LKRย 5.8M
$34.1K LKRย 10.5M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7K LKRย 10.7M
$26.7K LKRย 8.3M
$50.0K LKRย 15.5M
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$59.6 LKRย 18.4K
$33.15 LKRย 10.3K
$99.5 LKRย 30.8K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.44 LKRย 1,376
$2.68 LKRย 829
$6.88 LKRย 2,129
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.28 LKRย 4,729
$8.45 LKRย 2,614
$40.55 LKRย 12.6K
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Cinema Ticket
$3.45 LKRย 1,067
$2.58 LKRย 799
$5.51 LKRย 1,707
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$36.43 LKRย 11.3K
$16.56 LKRย 5,125
$66.2 LKRย 20.5K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$436 LKRย 135.0K
$248 LKRย 76.9K
$994 LKRย 307.6K
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.85 LKRย 8,619
$11.85 LKRย 3,667
$67.7 LKRย 21.0K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.62 LKRย 6,074
$6.78 LKRย 2,099
$44.05 LKRย 13.6K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$70.4 LKRย 21.8K
$33.94 LKRย 10.5K
$119 LKRย 36.8K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$38.71 LKRย 12.0K
$18.40 LKRย 5,697
$78.6 LKRย 24.3K
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
16.45
12
20

CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: January 12, 2026

Polonnaruwa Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Download
82
Mbps
Upload
18
Mbps
Latency
33
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
28
Mbps
Upload
8
Mbps
Latency
28
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
City tags:
Cost of Living in Polonnaruwa - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Polonnaruwa stack up for overall affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Polonnaruwa offers a gentle scale of affordability, especially for travelers, retirees, or digital nomads who value a slower pace and fewer crowds. The cityโ€™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 youโ€™ll find value without sacrificing comfort. Tip: Consider a longer-term stay to negotiate better rates.
What should I expect day to day in terms of housing, food options, transport, and errands when living in Polonnaruwa?
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 youโ€™re coworking, seek cafรฉs 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.
What factors influence quality of life and budgeting in Polonnaruwa, and how can you fine-tune a stay to fit your lifestyle?
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.
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