Cost of Living in Sri Lanka - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Sri Lanka
Address: LK

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $458 (excluding rent), and $652 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,126 (excluding rent), and $1,434 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.39 LKR 1,048

$1.69 LKR 523

$6.77 LKR 2,096

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$23.34 LKR 7,223

$13.33 LKR 4,126

$50.0 LKR 15.5K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.80 LKR 2,103

$5.44 LKR 1,682

$10.19 LKR 3,154

Cappuccino

$2.56 LKR 793

$0.97 LKR 302

$3.92 LKR 1,212

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

$0.68 LKR 211

$0.48 LKR 148

$1.12 LKR 347

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.39 LKR 121

$0.31 LKR 95.5

$0.69 LKR 213

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.30 LKR 713

$1.49 LKR 460

$3.30 LKR 1,020

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.41 LKR 1,054

$2.38 LKR 736

$6.81 LKR 2,107

Milk (1 liter)

$1.66 LKR 513

$1.28 LKR 396

$1.80 LKR 556

White Bread (500g)

$0.55 LKR 169

$0.46 LKR 142

$1.31 LKR 405

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.84 LKR 259

$0.68 LKR 211

$1.19 LKR 369

Eggs

$2.14 LKR 663

$1.18 LKR 366

$2.55 LKR 790

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.36 LKR 4,133

$4.43 LKR 1,370

$30.69 LKR 9,495

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.96 LKR 1,536

$3.25 LKR 1,007

$7.20 LKR 2,227

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.72 LKR 2,388

$4.98 LKR 1,541

$11.63 LKR 3,598

Apples (1kg)

$6.96 LKR 2,152

$1.98 LKR 614

$9.92 LKR 3,068

Banana (1kg)

$0.98 LKR 303

$0.49 LKR 152

$1.97 LKR 610

Oranges (1kg)

$5.79 LKR 1,793

$1.71 LKR 528

$10.27 LKR 3,178

Tomato (1kg)

$1.33 LKR 410

$0.53 LKR 164

$2.63 LKR 814

Potato (1kg)

$1.10 LKR 340

$0.59 LKR 182

$1.64 LKR 507

Onion (1kg)

$1.21 LKR 374

$0.55 LKR 171

$2.06 LKR 636

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.18 LKR 366

$0.34 LKR 105

$2.76 LKR 853

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.58 LKR 180

$0.42 LKR 129

$0.70 LKR 216

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.03 LKR 3,103

$8.35 LKR 2,584

$11.69 LKR 3,618

Wine (Bottle)

$12.75 LKR 3,945

$7.97 LKR 2,465

$19.13 LKR 5,919

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.14 LKR 663

$1.37 LKR 423

$2.73 LKR 846

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.94 LKR 911

$1.86 LKR 576

$4.14 LKR 1,280

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.22 LKR 67.9

$0.12 LKR 38.36

$0.31 LKR 97.4

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$5.11 LKR 1,581

$3.41 LKR 1,055

$10.23 LKR 3,164

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.41 LKR 128

$0.34 LKR 105

$0.62 LKR 192

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.33 LKR 101

$0.26 LKR 80.2

$0.59 LKR 181

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.48 LKR 147

$0.31 LKR 97.2

$0.95 LKR 295

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 LKR 385

$1.01 LKR 313

$1.39 LKR 430

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

$27.2K LKR 8.4M

$20.4K LKR 6.3M

$35.3K LKR 10.9M

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)

$48.27 LKR 14.9K

$27.29 LKR 8,445

$85.3 LKR 26.4K

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

$4.49 LKR 1,389

$2.00 LKR 619

$8.33 LKR 2,578

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.35 LKR 4,750

$8.08 LKR 2,499

$33.63 LKR 10.4K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$12.89 LKR 3,988

$6.67 LKR 2,065

$21.67 LKR 6,707

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.10 LKR 1,888

$3.36 LKR 1,039

$10.07 LKR 3,116

Cinema Ticket

$3.34 LKR 1,033

$2.33 LKR 721

$5.00 LKR 1,548

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

$36.94 LKR 11.4K

$16.69 LKR 5,164

$83.5 LKR 25.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$437 LKR 135.3K

$198 LKR 61.1K

$988 LKR 305.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.41 LKR 8,482

$11.79 LKR 3,648

$67.4 LKR 20.8K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$18.46 LKR 5,711

$7.55 LKR 2,335

$42.66 LKR 13.2K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$65.3 LKR 20.2K

$33.91 LKR 10.5K

$119 LKR 36.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$36.99 LKR 11.4K

$20.03 LKR 6,200

$66.8 LKR 20.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$264 LKR 81.8K

$116 LKR 35.8K

$595 LKR 184.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$138 LKR 42.8K

$65.9 LKR 20.4K

$329 LKR 101.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$611 LKR 189.1K

$193 LKR 59.8K

$1,500 LKR 464.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$267 LKR 82.6K

$116 LKR 36.0K

$499 LKR 154.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,672 LKR 1.1M

$2,474 LKR 765.5K

$4,400 LKR 1.4M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,174 LKR 363.4K

$658 LKR 203.6K

$1,416 LKR 438.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$211 LKR 65.3K

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 18, 2026

By City in Sri Lanka

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Amparai	110000	26	$503	$531	$1,087	$1,189	150.48	21.58
2	Anuradhapura	63200	25	$524	$496	$1,241	$1,174	93.74	21.06
3	Arugam Bay	5000						43.17	20.12
4	Badulla	110000	26	$427	$535	$1,256	$1,208	53.92	18.76
5	Bandarawela	8000	29	$510	$586	$1,289	$1,257	41.11	18.33
6	Battaramulla	20000	27	$403	$537	$1,009	$1,214	62.43	69.11
7	Bentota	37000	33	$459	$664	$1,073	$1,105	147.64	23.51
8	Beruwala	35300	27	$532	$528	$983	$1,210	30.53	44.49
9	Chavakachcheri	41400						80.39	28.43
10	Colombo	753000	36	$487	$725	$1,204	$1,599	301.72	80.81
11	Dambulla	68800	27	$434	$531	$974	$1,203	158.95	18.74
12	Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia	-	27	$400	$533	$967	$1,179	-	-
13	Eravur	-	27	$456	$531	$1,185	$1,199	148.43	26.02
14	Galle	100000	25	$403	$501	$1,173	$1,299	27.71	38.27
15	Gampaha	20000	25	$421	$510	$1,077	$1,254	237.88	44.86
16	Hatton	16200	27	$414	$534	$1,190	$1,185	62.13	18.99
17	Hikkaduwa	101342	30	$495	$605	$1,184	$1,653	62.93	23.51
18	Homagama	25000	26	$377	$506	$1,172	$1,097	17.59	66.88
19	Horana	15000	26	$471	$524	$985	$1,187	266.94	39.96
20	Jaffna	600000		$279	$498	$632	$885	103.04	28.43
21	Kalmunai	25000	33	$451	$652	$1,155	$1,447	19.39	20.12
22	Kalutara	39600	27	$462	$538	$991	$1,222	61.87	42.21
23	Kandana	15000	27	$403	$523	$1,166	$1,215	39.96	44.86
24	Kandy	125000	27	$396	$538	$937	$1,160	23.47	21.4
25	Kataragama	20000	27	$444	$539	$1,206	$1,183	51.92	17.46
26	Katunayaka	-	27	$538	$529	$1,117	$1,210	-	-
27	Kegalle	17900	27	$516	$526	$1,104	$1,213	244.46	18.87
28	Kolonnawa	64800	26	$503	$517	$977	$1,181	45.22	69.11
29	Kurunegala	30300	23	$448	$457	$1,069	$1,051	299.52	55.74
30	Maharagama	196400		$394	$455	$986	$1,112	148.61	66.88
31	Matale	40800		$188	$231	$398	$514	113.51	19.84
32	Matara	100000	29	$378	$588	$1,145	$1,288	34.8	74.6
33	Mirissa	15000	34	$493	$659	$1,257	$1,177	78.86	21.55
34	Moratuwa	207000		$79.3	$73.3	$156	$180	192.84	69.7
35	Negombo	142449	21	$359	$417	$880	$964	98.73	37.29
36	Nuwara Eliya	27500	27	$474	$520	$1,261	$1,178	27.32	18.23
37	Panadura	-	27	$496	$521	$1,158	$1,207	28.26	58.76
38	Piliyandala	-	26	$451	$531	$961	$1,120	127.83	65.25
39	Point Pedro	20000						217.42	27.03
40	Polonnaruwa	15000	27	$523	$536	$1,276	$1,200	82.19	28.25
41	Puttalam	45400		$102	$89.0	$186	$167	155.32	20.3
42	Ragama	15000	26	$473	$528	$993	$1,198	67.89	44.86
43	Ratnapura	52100	26	$443	$521	$1,044	$1,160	153.45	21.49
44	Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte	115826	38	$454	$743	$956	$1,567	106.51	66.88
45	Trincomalee	99100	27	$467	$521	$1,276	$1,209	92.72	36.45
46	Vavuniya	99600	26	$507	$528	$965	$1,135	92.38	24.35
47	Wattala	30200	27	$433	$540	$1,030	$1,210	106.09	44.86
48	Weligama	20000	37	$481	$740	$891	$1,109	168.25	70

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.