Cost of living in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Summary of cost of living in Colombo

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: 784,203 ₨
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: 319,432 ₨
    • WARNING!  These estimates are currently based on just a small amount of data. They provide a decent starting assumption, but they are not yet completely reliable.

List of prices in Colombo
Current as of Apr 2025.

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Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district 1,531 ₨
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) 1,916 ₨
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast 937 ₨
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk 533 ₨
12 eggs, large 700 ₨
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes 390 ₨
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese 2,771 ₨
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples 1,983 ₨
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes 387 ₨
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket 602 ₨
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality 4,485 ₨
2 liters of coca-cola 456 ₨
Bread for 2 people for 1 day 194 ₨
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
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Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area 231,749 ₨
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area 115,917 ₨
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat 35,862 ₨
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area 121,224 ₨
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area 65,248 ₨
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio 16,099 ₨
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) 4,258 ₨
40” flat screen tv 164,840 ₨
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) 52,976 ₨
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) 3,439 ₨
Hourly rate for cleaning help 1,238 ₨
Clothes Update prices
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) 13,791 ₨
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) 11,351 ₨
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) 26,954 ₨
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes 14,659 ₨
Transportation Update prices
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new 16,366,200 ₨
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas 365 ₨
Monthly ticket public transport 4,510 ₨
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) 1,742 ₨
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
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Personal Care Update prices
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) 628 ₨
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) 1,471 ₨
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) 4,262 ₨
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) 1,568 ₨
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) 883 ₨
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) 814 ₨
4 rolls of toilet paper 799 ₨
Tube of toothpaste 310 ₨
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city 1,729 ₨
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub 6,664 ₨
2 tickets to the movies 1,811 ₨
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) 5,750 ₨
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert 10,622 ₨
1 cocktail drink in downtown club 2,783 ₨
Cappuccino in expat area of the city 923 ₨
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) 763 ₨
Ipad wi-fi 128gb 179,004 ₨
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) 78 ₨
1 month of gym membership in business district 8,356 ₨
1 package of marlboro cigarettes 4,309 ₨
These prices are lacking data. It provides a decent estimate, but they are not yet reliable. They are based on 187 prices entered by 19 different people.
Latest price update: April 17, 2025

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