Cost of Living in Trincomalee - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $501 (excluding rent), and $536 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,018 (excluding rent), and $1,213 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.09 LKR 1,258

$1.7 LKR 523

$8.52 LKR 2,620

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.01 LKR 7,691

$16.67 LKR 5,127

$50 LKR 15.4K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.49 LKR 2,611

$6.12 LKR 1,881

$10.2 LKR 3,136

Cappuccino

$2.66 LKR 819

$1.16 LKR 356

$3.98 LKR 1,224

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

$0.73 LKR 225

$0.52 LKR 158

$1.38 LKR 425

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.41 LKR 125

$0.31 LKR 96.5

$0.88 LKR 270

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.37 LKR 729

$1.53 LKR 470

$3.39 LKR 1,044

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.39 LKR 1,044

$2.37 LKR 729

$6.79 LKR 2,088

Milk (1 liter)

$1.79 LKR 549

$1.55 LKR 477

$1.89 LKR 581

White Bread (500g)

$0.51 LKR 158

$0.45 LKR 138

$1.44 LKR 443

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.8 LKR 247

$0.64 LKR 197

$1.28 LKR 395

Eggs

$2.23 LKR 686

$1.24 LKR 383

$2.68 LKR 826

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.12 LKR 4,344

$4.36 LKR 1,342

$31.58 LKR 9,712

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.62 LKR 1,422

$2.98 LKR 916

$8.62 LKR 2,651

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.87 LKR 2,420

$5.25 LKR 1,613

$11.47 LKR 3,528

Apples (1kg)

$7.59 LKR 2,335

$2.04 LKR 628

$10.2 LKR 3,138

Banana (1kg)

$1.1 LKR 339

$0.68 LKR 208

$2.03 LKR 625

Oranges (1kg)

$5.7 LKR 1,754

$1.64 LKR 506

$9.9 LKR 3,044

Tomato (1kg)

$1.25 LKR 384

$0.51 LKR 156

$2.38 LKR 731

Potato (1kg)

$1.15 LKR 355

$0.41 LKR 126

$1.71 LKR 525

Onion (1kg)

$1.37 LKR 420

$0.76 LKR 233

$2.3 LKR 707

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.19 LKR 365

$0.34 LKR 103

$2.04 LKR 628

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.6 LKR 183

$0.41 LKR 126

$1.03 LKR 316

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.94 LKR 3,056

$6.62 LKR 2,037

$11.59 LKR 3,564

Wine (Bottle)

$14.48 LKR 4,453

$8.05 LKR 2,475

$22.53 LKR 6,928

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.04 LKR 627

$1.43 LKR 440

$2.85 LKR 878

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.86 LKR 878

$1.64 LKR 504

$4.93 LKR 1,515

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.42 LKR 129

$0.35 LKR 106

$0.62 LKR 190

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.32 LKR 99.7

$0.26 LKR 79.2

$0.65 LKR 199

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.57 LKR 175

$0.32 LKR 97.7

$1.16 LKR 358

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 LKR 367

$1 LKR 308

$1.39 LKR 427

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

$27K LKR 8.3M

$18.6K LKR 5.7M

$33.8K LKR 10.4M

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

$35.5K LKR 10.9M

$27.3K LKR 8.4M

$51.2K LKR 15.7M

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

$60.7 LKR 18.7K

$33.76 LKR 10.4K

$101 LKR 31.2K

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

$4.25 LKR 1,309

$2.56 LKR 789

$6.58 LKR 2,025

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.09 LKR 4,640

$8.34 LKR 2,565

$40.04 LKR 12.3K

Cinema Ticket

$3.27 LKR 1,006

$2.45 LKR 754

$5.24 LKR 1,610

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

$36.15 LKR 11.1K

$16.43 LKR 5,053

$65.7 LKR 20.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$435 LKR 133.7K

$248 LKR 76.2K

$990 LKR 304.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.81 LKR 8,554

$11.83 LKR 3,639

$67.6 LKR 20.8K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.53 LKR 6,007

$6.75 LKR 2,076

$43.85 LKR 13.5K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$68.7 LKR 21.1K

$33.1 LKR 10.2K

$116 LKR 35.6K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$39.33 LKR 12.1K

$18.7 LKR 5,751

$79.9 LKR 24.6K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

16.45

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

Last update: November 25, 2025

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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.