Cost of Living in Polonnaruwa - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $476 (excluding rent), and $535 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,157 (excluding rent), and $1,213 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.91 LKR 1,168

$1.62 LKR 485

$8.14 LKR 2,432

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$24.79 LKR 7,408

$16.53 LKR 4,939

$49.6 LKR 14.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.35 LKR 2,494

$6.01 LKR 1,797

$10.02 LKR 2,995

Cappuccino

$2.7 LKR 807

$1.18 LKR 351

$4.04 LKR 1,207

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

$0.68 LKR 204

$0.48 LKR 144

$1.29 LKR 385

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.41 LKR 121

$0.31 LKR 93.4

$0.88 LKR 261

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.37 LKR 709

$1.53 LKR 457

$3.4 LKR 1,015

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.3 LKR 986

$2.3 LKR 689

$6.6 LKR 1,971

Milk (1 liter)

$1.72 LKR 515

$1.5 LKR 447

$1.82 LKR 544

White Bread (500g)

$0.56 LKR 167

$0.49 LKR 145

$1.56 LKR 466

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.87 LKR 259

$0.69 LKR 206

$1.38 LKR 413

Eggs

$2.22 LKR 662

$1.24 LKR 369

$2.66 LKR 796

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.17 LKR 4,233

$4.38 LKR 1,308

$31.67 LKR 9,464

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.57 LKR 1,366

$2.95 LKR 881

$8.53 LKR 2,548

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.99 LKR 2,387

$5.33 LKR 1,592

$11.65 LKR 3,480

Apples (1kg)

$7.58 LKR 2,263

$2.04 LKR 608

$10.18 LKR 3,041

Banana (1kg)

$1.12 LKR 334

$0.69 LKR 205

$2.06 LKR 616

Oranges (1kg)

$5.94 LKR 1,774

$1.71 LKR 512

$10.3 LKR 3,078

Tomato (1kg)

$1.24 LKR 371

$0.51 LKR 151

$2.36 LKR 706

Potato (1kg)

$1.1 LKR 328

$0.39 LKR 116

$1.62 LKR 485

Onion (1kg)

$1.37 LKR 408

$0.76 LKR 226

$2.3 LKR 688

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.15 LKR 342

$0.32 LKR 96.6

$1.97 LKR 588

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 LKR 165

$0.38 LKR 114

$0.95 LKR 285

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.92 LKR 2,965

$6.62 LKR 1,977

$11.57 LKR 3,458

Wine (Bottle)

$14.38 LKR 4,297

$8.46 LKR 2,528

$23.69 LKR 7,079

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2 LKR 598

$1.41 LKR 420

$2.8 LKR 838

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.93 LKR 876

$1.68 LKR 503

$5.06 LKR 1,511

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.38 LKR 114

$0.31 LKR 93.8

$0.56 LKR 168

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.35 LKR 106

$0.28 LKR 84

$0.71 LKR 212

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.61 LKR 183

$0.34 LKR 102

$1.26 LKR 376

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 LKR 364

$1.02 LKR 305

$1.42 LKR 423

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

$27.1K LKR 8.1M

$18.6K LKR 5.6M

$33.9K LKR 10.1M

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

$34.9K LKR 10.4M

$26.8K LKR 8M

$50.3K LKR 15M

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

$60.4 LKR 18K

$33.59 LKR 10K

$101 LKR 30.1K

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

$4.41 LKR 1,318

$2.66 LKR 794

$6.82 LKR 2,039

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$14.96 LKR 4,471

$8.27 LKR 2,472

$39.71 LKR 11.9K

Cinema Ticket

$3.34 LKR 997

$2.5 LKR 747

$5.34 LKR 1,596

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

$36.76 LKR 11K

$16.71 LKR 4,992

$66.8 LKR 20K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$434 LKR 129.7K

$247 LKR 73.9K

$989 LKR 295.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.9 LKR 8,336

$11.87 LKR 3,546

$67.8 LKR 20.3K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.32 LKR 5,772

$6.68 LKR 1,995

$43.37 LKR 13K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$70 LKR 20.9K

$33.77 LKR 10.1K

$118 LKR 35.3K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.58 LKR 11.5K

$18.35 LKR 5,482

$78.4 LKR 23.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

16.45

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

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.