Cost of Living in Sri Lanka - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Sri Lanka
Address: LK

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $472 (excluding rent), and $652 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,118 (excluding rent), and $1,423 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.39 LKR 1,042

$1.69 LKR 519

$6.77 LKR 2,083

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$23.83 LKR 7,333

$13.61 LKR 4,189

$51.1 LKR 15.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.74 LKR 2,073

$5.39 LKR 1,658

$10.11 LKR 3,109

Cappuccino

$2.62 LKR 806

$1 LKR 306

$4 LKR 1,231

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

$0.73 LKR 224

$0.51 LKR 158

$1.2 LKR 370

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.4 LKR 122

$0.31 LKR 96.2

$0.7 LKR 215

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.39 LKR 735

$1.54 LKR 474

$3.42 LKR 1,052

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.41 LKR 1,049

$2.38 LKR 733

$6.82 LKR 2,098

Milk (1 liter)

$1.73 LKR 534

$1.34 LKR 411

$1.88 LKR 578

White Bread (500g)

$0.54 LKR 166

$0.45 LKR 140

$1.29 LKR 398

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.8 LKR 245

$0.65 LKR 200

$1.14 LKR 349

Eggs

$2.23 LKR 686

$1.23 LKR 379

$2.66 LKR 817

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.86 LKR 3,957

$4.26 LKR 1,312

$29.54 LKR 9,090

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.76 LKR 1,463

$3.12 LKR 959

$6.89 LKR 2,121

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.01 LKR 2,466

$5.17 LKR 1,591

$12.07 LKR 3,714

Apples (1kg)

$7.18 LKR 2,209

$2.05 LKR 630

$10.24 LKR 3,150

Banana (1kg)

$1.02 LKR 314

$0.51 LKR 157

$2.05 LKR 632

Oranges (1kg)

$5.83 LKR 1,794

$1.72 LKR 528

$10.33 LKR 3,179

Tomato (1kg)

$1.38 LKR 425

$0.55 LKR 170

$2.74 LKR 843

Potato (1kg)

$1.1 LKR 339

$0.59 LKR 181

$1.64 LKR 505

Onion (1kg)

$1.16 LKR 358

$0.53 LKR 164

$1.98 LKR 610

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.14 LKR 350

$0.33 LKR 100

$2.65 LKR 815

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 LKR 176

$0.41 LKR 126

$0.68 LKR 210

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10 LKR 3,078

$8.33 LKR 2,564

$11.67 LKR 3,590

Wine (Bottle)

$12.76 LKR 3,926

$7.98 LKR 2,454

$19.13 LKR 5,887

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.13 LKR 656

$1.36 LKR 418

$2.72 LKR 837

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.82 LKR 867

$1.78 LKR 549

$3.96 LKR 1,219

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 LKR 73.9

$0.14 LKR 41.76

$0.34 LKR 106

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$5.1 LKR 1,570

$3.4 LKR 1,048

$10.21 LKR 3,143

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.42 LKR 129

$0.35 LKR 106

$0.63 LKR 193

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.33 LKR 101

$0.26 LKR 80

$0.59 LKR 181

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.48 LKR 147

$0.32 LKR 97.3

$0.96 LKR 295

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 LKR 384

$1.01 LKR 312

$1.39 LKR 429

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

$26.5K LKR 8.1M

$19.9K LKR 6.1M

$34.4K LKR 10.6M

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

$37.5K LKR 11.5M

$24.8K LKR 7.6M

$49.6K LKR 15.3M

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

$48.12 LKR 14.8K

$27.21 LKR 8,372

$85 LKR 26.2K

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

$4.63 LKR 1,423

$2.06 LKR 634

$8.58 LKR 2,642

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.15 LKR 4,661

$7.97 LKR 2,452

$33.19 LKR 10.2K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$13.12 LKR 4,037

$6.79 LKR 2,090

$22.06 LKR 6,788

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.25 LKR 1,922

$3.44 LKR 1,057

$10.31 LKR 3,172

Cinema Ticket

$3.29 LKR 1,013

$2.3 LKR 708

$4.93 LKR 1,518

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

$37.49 LKR 11.5K

$16.94 LKR 5,211

$84.7 LKR 26.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$451 LKR 138.9K

$204 LKR 62.8K

$1,020 LKR 313.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.98 LKR 8,302

$11.6 LKR 3,571

$66.3 LKR 20.4K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$18.99 LKR 5,845

$7.77 LKR 2,390

$43.91 LKR 13.5K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$64.5 LKR 19.9K

$33.54 LKR 10.3K

$117 LKR 36.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$36.57 LKR 11.3K

$19.81 LKR 6,095

$66 LKR 20.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$269 LKR 82.8K

$118 LKR 36.2K

$605 LKR 186.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$141 LKR 43.4K

$67.2 LKR 20.7K

$336 LKR 103.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$621 LKR 191K

$196 LKR 60.4K

$1,524 LKR 468.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$266 LKR 82K

$116 LKR 35.8K

$498 LKR 153.3K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,745 LKR 537K

$723 LKR 222.4K

$2,593 LKR 797.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,005 LKR 309.2K

$562 LKR 172.8K

$1,382 LKR 425.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$223 LKR 68.6K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

16.21

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

Last update: November 23, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Sri Lanka - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Sri Lanka is typically favorable for long stays, with a noticeable gap between budget-friendly options and tourist-forward services. You’ll find value in local eateries, bus and train travel, and simple guesthouses that keep daily costs gentle, while Western-style accommodations or premium experiences raise the ceiling. The country’s mix of Colombo’s bustle, coast towns, and hill country allows you to tailor your lifestyle to your budget. Seasonality matters, too: shoulder seasons can soften prices on stays and activities. Tip: choose neighborhoods by daily routines and access to markets, not just price, to maximize comfort.

Daily life centers on accessible services and neighborhood flavor. For housing, start with local rental listings, then walk a few blocks to gauge noise, security, and daily routes to markets. Food options range from vibrant street stalls to family-owned eateries; cooking at home helps control costs while still enjoying fresh produce at markets. Public transport is generally affordable, with trains and buses offering comfortable routes between towns; ride-hailing apps are expanding but still inexpensive. Co-working spaces exist in major towns, making remote work practical. Sri Lanka living cost remains friendly if you favor local services and longer stays. Tip: explore several neighborhoods on short stays to gauge the vibe before committing.

Quality of life comes from balance and pace. Build a simple budget using three buckets: essentials, flexible spending, and a small buffer for occasional travel. Seasonality matters: monsoon shifts impact beach access and traffic, while dry periods bring more sunny days but higher crowds in popular spots. To choose a neighborhood, align with your daily needs: proximity to markets or coworking, reliable internet, safety, and a vibe that suits your pace – Colombo suburbs for urban convenience, coastal towns for slower rhythms, or highland towns for cool weather. Tap locally: try short-term stays in several areas before committing. Tip: keep a flexible schedule and revisit your cost anchors as you settle in.