Cost of Living in Sri Lanka - Updated Prices & Insights

32.66

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $467 (excluding rent), and $649 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,118 (excluding rent), and $1,444 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.4 LKR 1,015

$1.69 LKR 506

$6.8 LKR 2,031

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$23.32 LKR 6,969

$13.32 LKR 3,981

$49.98 LKR 14.9K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.86 LKR 2,049

$5.49 LKR 1,639

$10.29 LKR 3,074

Cappuccino

$2.67 LKR 797

$1.01 LKR 303

$4.08 LKR 1,218

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

$0.73 LKR 217

$0.51 LKR 153

$1.2 LKR 358

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 LKR 108

$0.29 LKR 85.5

$0.64 LKR 191

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.33 LKR 695

$1.5 LKR 449

$3.33 LKR 996

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.28 LKR 980

$2.29 LKR 684

$6.56 LKR 1,959

Milk (1 liter)

$1.69 LKR 504

$1.3 LKR 389

$1.83 LKR 546

White Bread (500g)

$0.58 LKR 174

$0.49 LKR 146

$1.39 LKR 417

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.86 LKR 256

$0.7 LKR 209

$1.22 LKR 366

Eggs

$2.21 LKR 659

$1.22 LKR 364

$2.63 LKR 785

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.05 LKR 3,899

$4.33 LKR 1,293

$29.98 LKR 8,957

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.78 LKR 1,429

$3.14 LKR 937

$6.93 LKR 2,071

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.62 LKR 2,277

$4.92 LKR 1,469

$11.48 LKR 3,431

Apples (1kg)

$7.2 LKR 2,150

$2.05 LKR 613

$10.26 LKR 3,066

Banana (1kg)

$1.02 LKR 305

$0.51 LKR 153

$2.05 LKR 613

Oranges (1kg)

$5.74 LKR 1,716

$1.69 LKR 505

$10.18 LKR 3,042

Tomato (1kg)

$1.33 LKR 398

$0.53 LKR 159

$2.65 LKR 791

Potato (1kg)

$1.11 LKR 331

$0.59 LKR 177

$1.65 LKR 493

Onion (1kg)

$1.16 LKR 346

$0.53 LKR 158

$1.97 LKR 589

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.12 LKR 336

$0.32 LKR 96.3

$2.62 LKR 782

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.54 LKR 161

$0.39 LKR 115

$0.65 LKR 193

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.96 LKR 2,976

$8.3 LKR 2,479

$11.62 LKR 3,471

Wine (Bottle)

$13.5 LKR 4,033

$8.44 LKR 2,521

$20.25 LKR 6,051

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.09 LKR 623

$1.33 LKR 398

$2.66 LKR 795

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.93 LKR 877

$1.86 LKR 555

$4.13 LKR 1,233

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.22 LKR 65.4

$0.12 LKR 36.95

$0.31 LKR 93.8

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$5.11 LKR 1,526

$3.41 LKR 1,018

$10.22 LKR 3,054

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.42 LKR 125

$0.35 LKR 103

$0.63 LKR 188

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.32 LKR 96.6

$0.26 LKR 76.7

$0.58 LKR 173

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.48 LKR 144

$0.32 LKR 95.3

$0.97 LKR 289

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 LKR 374

$1.02 LKR 304

$1.4 LKR 418

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

$27.1K LKR 8.1M

$20.3K LKR 6.1M

$35.2K LKR 10.5M

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

$37.6K LKR 11.2M

$24.9K LKR 7.4M

$49.7K LKR 14.9M

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

$46.6 LKR 13.9K

$26.35 LKR 7,873

$82.3 LKR 24.6K

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

$4.4 LKR 1,314

$1.96 LKR 586

$8.16 LKR 2,438

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.23 LKR 4,551

$8.01 LKR 2,395

$33.38 LKR 9,972

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$12.99 LKR 3,882

$6.73 LKR 2,010

$21.85 LKR 6,528

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.27 LKR 1,873

$3.45 LKR 1,031

$10.35 LKR 3,092

Cinema Ticket

$3.4 LKR 1,015

$2.37 LKR 709

$5.09 LKR 1,521

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

$36.54 LKR 10.9K

$16.5 LKR 4,931

$82.5 LKR 24.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$443 LKR 132.4K

$200 LKR 59.9K

$1,002 LKR 299.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.11 LKR 8,101

$11.66 LKR 3,484

$66.6 LKR 19.9K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$18.73 LKR 5,596

$7.66 LKR 2,288

$43.3 LKR 12.9K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$64.7 LKR 19.3K

$33.63 LKR 10K

$118 LKR 35.2K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$36.75 LKR 11K

$19.91 LKR 5,948

$66.4 LKR 19.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$272 LKR 81.2K

$119 LKR 35.5K

$612 LKR 182.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$143 LKR 42.7K

$68 LKR 20.3K

$340 LKR 101.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$616 LKR 184K

$195 LKR 58.2K

$1,512 LKR 451.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$272 LKR 81.2K

$119 LKR 35.4K

$508 LKR 151.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,762 LKR 526.5K

$740 LKR 221K

$2,630 LKR 785.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,225 LKR 366.1K

$662 LKR 197.8K

$1,781 LKR 532.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$210 LKR 62.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

16.21

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

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.