Cost of living in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 37% more expensive than in Arequipa (Peru)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 283 prices entered by 36 different people.
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| Food | + 28% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 28% more expensive than in Arequipa (Peru) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Arequipa | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 1,531 ₨ (S/. 19) | S/. 20 | - 2% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 1,916 ₨ (S/. 24) | S/. 20 | + 21% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 937 ₨ (S/. 12) | S/. 8 | + 51% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 533 ₨ (S/. 7) | S/. 5.70 | + 18% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 700 ₨ (S/. 9) | S/. 9 | + 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 390 ₨ (S/. 4.91) | S/. 3.91 | + 25% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 2,771 ₨ (S/. 35) | S/. 11 | + 228% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,983 ₨ (S/. 25) | S/. 4.94 | + 406% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 387 ₨ (S/. 4.87) | S/. 3.02 | + 61% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 602 ₨ (S/. 8) | S/. 7 | + 7% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 4,485 ₨ (S/. 56) | S/. 39 | + 44% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 456 ₨ (S/. 5.73) | S/. 9 | - 33% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 194 ₨ (S/. 2.44) | S/. 2.28 | + 7% | |
| Housing | + 45% | |||
| Housing in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 45% more expensive than in Arequipa (Peru) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Arequipa | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 231,749 ₨ (S/. 2,917) | S/. 1,714 | + 70% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 115,917 ₨ (S/. 1,459) | S/. 930 | + 57% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 35,862 ₨ (S/. 451) | S/. 138 | + 227% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 121,224 ₨ (S/. 1,526) | S/. 1,109 | + 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 65,248 ₨ (S/. 821) | S/. 727 | + 13% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 16,099 ₨ (S/. 203) | S/. 104 | + 96% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 4,258 ₨ (S/. 54) | S/. 66 | - 19% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 164,840 ₨ (S/. 2,075) | S/. 1,071 | + 94% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 52,976 ₨ (S/. 667) | S/. 340 | + 96% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,439 ₨ (S/. 43) | S/. 27 | + 62% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 1,238 ₨ (S/. 16) | S/. 14 | + 15% | |
| Clothes | + 39% | |||
| Clothes in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 39% more expensive than in Arequipa (Peru) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Arequipa | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 13,791 ₨ (S/. 174) | S/. 137 | + 27% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 11,351 ₨ (S/. 143) | S/. 87 | + 65% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 26,954 ₨ (S/. 339) | S/. 239 | + 42% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 14,659 ₨ (S/. 185) | S/. 230 | - 20% | |
| Transportation | + 43% | |||
| Transportation in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 43% more expensive than in Arequipa (Peru) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Arequipa | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 16,366,200 ₨ (S/. 206,034) | S/. 53,456 | + 285% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 365 ₨ (S/. 4.60) | S/. 4.71 | - 2% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 4,510 ₨ (S/. 57) | S/. 80 | - 29% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 1,742 ₨ (S/. 22) | S/. 28 | - 21% | |
| Personal Care | - 4% | |||
| Personal Care in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is about the same as in Arequipa (Peru) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Arequipa | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 628 ₨ (S/. 8) | S/. 8 | + 3% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 1,471 ₨ (S/. 19) | S/. 20 | - 6% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 4,262 ₨ (S/. 54) | S/. 61 | - 12% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 1,568 ₨ (S/. 20) | S/. 24 | - 16% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 883 ₨ (S/. 11) | S/. 12 | - 6% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 814 ₨ (S/. 10) | S/. 17 | - 41% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 799 ₨ (S/. 10) | S/. 5.19 | + 94% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 310 ₨ (S/. 3.90) | S/. 5.29 | - 26% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 1,729 ₨ (S/. 22) | S/. 25 | - 12% | |
| Entertainment | + 47% | |||
| Entertainment in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 47% more expensive than in Arequipa (Peru) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Arequipa | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 6,664 ₨ (S/. 84) | S/. 32 | + 159% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 1,811 ₨ (S/. 23) | S/. 28 | - 19% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 5,750 ₨ (S/. 72) | S/. 135 | - 46% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 10,622 ₨ (S/. 134) | S/. 68 | + 98% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 2,783 ₨ (S/. 35) | S/. 26 | + 35% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 923 ₨ (S/. 12) | S/. 14 | - 19% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 763 ₨ (S/. 10) | S/. 8 | + 28% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 179,004 ₨ (S/. 2,253) | S/. 2,312 | - 3% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 78 ₨ (S/. 0.98) | S/. 0.64 | + 54% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 8,356 ₨ (S/. 105) | S/. 107 | - 1% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 4,309 ₨ (S/. 54) | S/. 12 | + 340% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 37% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 283 prices entered by 36 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.01259
PEN
/
LKR
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For example, you would need at least S/. 6,462 (513,326 ₨) in Colombo to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with S/. 4,700 in Arequipa.
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