Cost of living in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Summary of cost of living in Colombo

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: 827,392 ₨
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: 331,489 ₨
    • WARNING!  These estimates are based on only a few data points. At the moment, you should treat them only as a best guess.

List of prices in Colombo
Current as of May 2023.

Change the currency:
Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district 1,045 ₨
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) 1,212 ₨
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast 788 ₨
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk 450 ₨
12 eggs, large 1,095 ₨
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes 432 ₨
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese 3,539 ₨
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples 2,046 ₨
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes 302 ₨
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket 596 ₨
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality 6,315 ₨
2 liters of coca-cola 480 ₨
Bread for 2 people for 1 day 164 ₨
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
We need your help! Tell us about prices in Colombo.
Page-elements
Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area 232,349 ₨
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area 113,059 ₨
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat 38,118 ₨
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area 150,008 ₨
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area 75,160 ₨
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio 22,756 ₨
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) 3,750 ₨
40” flat screen tv 205,570 ₨
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) 51,786 ₨
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) 3,830 ₨
Hourly rate for cleaning help 1,000 ₨
Clothes Update prices
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) 19,184 ₨
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) 9,773 ₨
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) 25,919 ₨
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes 22,399 ₨
Transportation Update prices
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new 18,077,000 ₨
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas 400 ₨
Monthly ticket public transport 6,254 ₨
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) 1,603 ₨
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
We need your help! Tell us about prices in Colombo.
Page-elements
Personal Care Update prices
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) 335 ₨
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) 1,657 ₨
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) 3,009 ₨
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) 1,292 ₨
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) 1,163 ₨
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) 1,097 ₨
4 rolls of toilet paper 998 ₨
Tube of toothpaste 294 ₨
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city 1,511 ₨
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub 10,877 ₨
2 tickets to the movies 2,334 ₨
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) 5,859 ₨
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert 21,644 ₨
1 cocktail drink in downtown club 8,885 ₨
Cappuccino in expat area of the city 870 ₨
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) 1,088 ₨
Ipad wi-fi 128gb 253,140 ₨
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) 17 ₨
1 month of gym membership in business district 10,080 ₨
1 package of marlboro cigarettes 3,165 ₨
WARNING!  These prices are based on only a few data points. At this point they are mostly a guess. They are based on 462 prices entered by 48 different people.
Latest price update: May 31, 2023

Did you know that ...

Do you live in Colombo? We need your help!

What is the price of

Furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area

in Colombo?

₨

International Cost of Living Index

loading...

Prices recently added

  • 1 kg of tomatoes in Montreal costs C$1.00 (less than a minute ago)
  • 500 g of boneless chicken breast in Oporto costs €2.50 (3 minutes ago)
  • Public transport in Santiago, Chile costs CH$48,000 (4 minutes ago)
  • 1 liter of gasoline in Juiz de Fora costs R$ 5.40 (about 1 hour ago)
  • 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Ljubljana costs €5.10 (about 1 hour ago)
  • 1 kg of potatoes in Manila costs Php60 (about 2 hours ago)

Make a different comparison:

Compare cost of living between cities:
vs