Cost of Living in Sri Lanka - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Sri Lanka
Address: LK

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $466 (excluding rent), and $646 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,107 (excluding rent), and $1,434 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.45 LKR 1,068

$1.72 LKR 532

$6.90 LKR 2,135

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$23.34 LKR 7,224

$13.33 LKR 4,126

$50.0 LKR 15.5K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.71 LKR 2,078

$5.37 LKR 1,662

$10.07 LKR 3,117

Cappuccino

$2.57 LKR 795

$0.98 LKR 302

$3.92 LKR 1,214

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

$0.74 LKR 229

$0.52 LKR 161

$1.22 LKR 377

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.39 LKR 122

$0.31 LKR 96.5

$0.70 LKR 216

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.33 LKR 721

$1.50 LKR 465

$3.33 LKR 1,032

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.25 LKR 1,007

$2.27 LKR 704

$6.51 LKR 2,014

Milk (1 liter)

$1.72 LKR 532

$1.33 LKR 410

$1.86 LKR 576

White Bread (500g)

$0.54 LKR 167

$0.45 LKR 140

$1.29 LKR 400

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.85 LKR 262

$0.69 LKR 214

$1.21 LKR 374

Eggs

$2.22 LKR 686

$1.22 LKR 379

$2.64 LKR 818

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.07 LKR 4,044

$4.33 LKR 1,341

$30.02 LKR 9,291

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.74 LKR 1,467

$3.11 LKR 962

$6.87 LKR 2,126

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.96 LKR 2,463

$5.13 LKR 1,589

$11.99 LKR 3,710

Apples (1kg)

$7.01 LKR 2,169

$2.00 LKR 619

$9.99 LKR 3,093

Banana (1kg)

$1.02 LKR 315

$0.51 LKR 157

$2.04 LKR 633

Oranges (1kg)

$5.51 LKR 1,704

$1.62 LKR 502

$9.76 LKR 3,020

Tomato (1kg)

$1.31 LKR 407

$0.53 LKR 163

$2.61 LKR 808

Potato (1kg)

$1.09 LKR 337

$0.58 LKR 181

$1.63 LKR 503

Onion (1kg)

$1.20 LKR 373

$0.55 LKR 171

$2.05 LKR 635

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.13 LKR 351

$0.33 LKR 101

$2.64 LKR 818

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.54 LKR 166

$0.38 LKR 119

$0.64 LKR 199

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.18 LKR 3,152

$8.48 LKR 2,625

$11.88 LKR 3,676

Wine (Bottle)

$12.70 LKR 3,932

$7.94 LKR 2,457

$19.05 LKR 5,897

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.12 LKR 656

$1.35 LKR 418

$2.70 LKR 837

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.88 LKR 891

$1.82 LKR 564

$4.05 LKR 1,252

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.22 LKR 68.0

$0.12 LKR 38.41

$0.32 LKR 97.5

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$4.89 LKR 1,513

$3.26 LKR 1,010

$9.79 LKR 3,029

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.38 LKR 118

$0.31 LKR 97.3

$0.57 LKR 177

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.32 LKR 100

$0.26 LKR 79.6

$0.58 LKR 180

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.52 LKR 160

$0.34 LKR 106

$1.04 LKR 321

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 LKR 399

$1.05 LKR 325

$1.44 LKR 446

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

$27.3K LKR 8.5M

$20.5K LKR 6.3M

$35.5K LKR 11.0M

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

$37.8K LKR 11.7M

$25.0K LKR 7.7M

$50.0K LKR 15.5M

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

$47.73 LKR 14.8K

$26.99 LKR 8,353

$84.3 LKR 26.1K

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

$4.39 LKR 1,357

$1.95 LKR 605

$8.14 LKR 2,519

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$14.98 LKR 4,638

$7.88 LKR 2,440

$32.83 LKR 10.2K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$12.87 LKR 3,985

$6.67 LKR 2,063

$21.65 LKR 6,701

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.96 LKR 1,844

$3.28 LKR 1,014

$9.83 LKR 3,043

Cinema Ticket

$3.40 LKR 1,051

$2.37 LKR 734

$5.09 LKR 1,575

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

$36.42 LKR 11.3K

$16.45 LKR 5,092

$82.3 LKR 25.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$451 LKR 139.5K

$204 LKR 63.0K

$1,018 LKR 315.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.65 LKR 8,560

$11.89 LKR 3,681

$68.0 LKR 21.0K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$18.79 LKR 5,814

$7.68 LKR 2,378

$43.43 LKR 13.4K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$65.2 LKR 20.2K

$33.88 LKR 10.5K

$119 LKR 36.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$36.94 LKR 11.4K

$20.01 LKR 6,193

$66.7 LKR 20.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$271 LKR 83.8K

$119 LKR 36.7K

$610 LKR 188.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$138 LKR 42.8K

$65.8 LKR 20.4K

$329 LKR 101.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$603 LKR 186.6K

$191 LKR 59.1K

$1,480 LKR 458.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$267 LKR 82.7K

$117 LKR 36.1K

$500 LKR 154.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,647 LKR 1.1M

$2,457 LKR 760.5K

$4,370 LKR 1.4M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,136 LKR 351.8K

$637 LKR 197.1K

$1,371 LKR 424.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$217 LKR 67.1K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

16.21

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

Last update: January 13, 2026

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.