Cost of Living in Trincomalee - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $430 (excluding rent), and $534 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,156 (excluding rent), and $1,221 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.13 LKR 1,278

$1.72 LKR 531

$8.60 LKR 2,661

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.32 LKR 7,838

$16.88 LKR 5,225

$50.7 LKR 15.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.45 LKR 2,615

$6.09 LKR 1,884

$10.14 LKR 3,140

Cappuccino

$2.77 LKR 856

$1.20 LKR 372

$4.13 LKR 1,279

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

$0.74 LKR 231

$0.52 LKR 162

$1.41 LKR 435

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.41 LKR 126

$0.31 LKR 96.6

$0.87 LKR 270

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.28 LKR 707

$1.47 LKR 456

$3.27 LKR 1,012

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.29 LKR 1,018

$2.30 LKR 711

$6.58 LKR 2,035

Milk (1 liter)

$1.76 LKR 546

$1.53 LKR 474

$1.86 LKR 577

White Bread (500g)

$0.56 LKR 174

$0.49 LKR 151

$1.57 LKR 485

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.86 LKR 265

$0.68 LKR 211

$1.37 LKR 423

Eggs

$2.23 LKR 689

$1.24 LKR 384

$2.68 LKR 829

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.32 LKR 4,431

$4.42 LKR 1,369

$32.01 LKR 9,907

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.70 LKR 1,456

$3.03 LKR 938

$8.77 LKR 2,715

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.87 LKR 2,435

$5.24 LKR 1,623

$11.47 LKR 3,550

Apples (1kg)

$7.33 LKR 2,270

$1.97 LKR 610

$9.85 LKR 3,050

Banana (1kg)

$1.07 LKR 330

$0.66 LKR 203

$1.97 LKR 609

Oranges (1kg)

$5.71 LKR 1,767

$1.65 LKR 510

$9.91 LKR 3,066

Tomato (1kg)

$1.25 LKR 388

$0.51 LKR 158

$2.39 LKR 739

Potato (1kg)

$1.10 LKR 340

$0.39 LKR 120

$1.62 LKR 502

Onion (1kg)

$1.38 LKR 426

$0.76 LKR 236

$2.32 LKR 717

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.15 LKR 355

$0.32 LKR 100

$1.97 LKR 610

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 LKR 172

$0.38 LKR 119

$0.96 LKR 297

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.17 LKR 3,148

$6.78 LKR 2,099

$11.86 LKR 3,671

Wine (Bottle)

$13.80 LKR 4,270

$8.11 LKR 2,511

$19.47 LKR 6,026

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.00 LKR 620

$1.41 LKR 435

$2.80 LKR 868

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.86 LKR 886

$1.64 LKR 508

$4.94 LKR 1,528

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.42 LKR 129

$0.34 LKR 107

$0.62 LKR 190

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.36 LKR 110

$0.28 LKR 87.3

$0.71 LKR 220

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.58 LKR 179

$0.32 LKR 99.9

$1.18 LKR 366

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 LKR 388

$1.05 LKR 325

$1.46 LKR 451

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

$26.6K LKR 8.2M

$18.3K LKR 5.7M

$33.2K LKR 10.3M

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

$35.5K LKR 11.0M

$27.3K LKR 8.5M

$51.2K LKR 15.8M

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

$60.3 LKR 18.7K

$33.53 LKR 10.4K

$101 LKR 31.1K

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

$4.30 LKR 1,331

$2.59 LKR 802

$6.66 LKR 2,060

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.12 LKR 4,679

$8.36 LKR 2,587

$40.12 LKR 12.4K

Cinema Ticket

$3.25 LKR 1,007

$2.44 LKR 755

$5.21 LKR 1,612

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

$36.85 LKR 11.4K

$16.75 LKR 5,185

$67.0 LKR 20.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$446 LKR 138.1K

$254 LKR 78.7K

$1,017 LKR 314.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.52 LKR 8,518

$11.71 LKR 3,624

$66.9 LKR 20.7K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.68 LKR 6,091

$6.80 LKR 2,105

$44.18 LKR 13.7K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$69.1 LKR 21.4K

$33.29 LKR 10.3K

$117 LKR 36.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$39.01 LKR 12.1K

$18.55 LKR 5,741

$79.2 LKR 24.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

16.45

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

Last update: January 12, 2026

Trincomalee Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

⛩️ Asia

Cost of Living in Trincomalee - Frequently Asked Questions

Trincomalee offers a relaxed coastal value that many travelers and slow-paced expats appreciate. Cost of Living in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka is generally approachable for coastal stays, simple meals, and modest accommodations, especially when you mix guesthouses with longer, off-season visits. You’ll find a range of budget-friendly options for short-term stays, plus room to negotiate longer leases in quieter parts of town. Seasonal shifts affect pockets near tourist spots, but groceries and local services stay comparatively affordable. Neighborhoods near the harbor balance scenery and accessibility, while quieter lanes offer more space. Tip: start with a short-term rental near the market to test daily life.

Daily life blends flexibility with coastal charm. Look for guesthouses, small apartments, or homestays in central town or along Uppuveli for beach proximity. Food options range from fresh seafood at the harbor to traditional curries at family-run eateries and casual stalls. Transport is simple: tuk-tuks for short hops, scooters for longer explorations, and buses along the coast. Errands are doable at local markets and shops with friendly stallholders. For work or casual browsing, cafes with reliable Wi‑Fi exist but vary by week. Trincomalee, Sri Lanka living cost is noticeable in daily purchases, so budget around groceries and meals accordingly. Tip: test wifi before committing to a workspace.

Shape your stay around a practical budgeting framework that respects seasonality and neighborhood vibe. Consider housing near markets or transport routes to cut travel time and costs, and favor spaces with good ventilation to reduce cooling needs. You can balance modest meals with occasional treats at seafood stalls and sunset cafes. Build a simple split: housing, groceries, transport, and activities, then track what changes with the monsoon and busy tourist periods. Seek communities or coworking spaces that match your work style, whether quiet corners or collaborative hubs. Tip: test a few neighborhoods for a week each to feel the pace and safety before longer commitments.