Cost of living in Colombo, Sri Lanka vs Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Currency:
Food | - 59% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 59% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 519 ₨ (Dirham 10) | Dirham 61 | - 84% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 836 ₨ (Dirham 16) | Dirham 27 | - 42% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 420 ₨ (Dirham 8) | Dirham 22 | - 64% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 221 ₨ (Dirham 4.20) | Dirham 8 | - 47% | |
12 eggs, large | 284 ₨ (Dirham 5.40) | Dirham 16 | - 65% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 194 ₨ (Dirham 3.69) | Dirham 8 | - 51% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 916 ₨ (Dirham 17) | Dirham 29 | - 39% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 380 ₨ (Dirham 7) | Dirham 10 | - 25% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 162 ₨ (Dirham 3.08) | Dirham 4.98 | - 38% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 269 ₨ (Dirham 5.11) | Dirham 12 | - 56% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 2,602 ₨ (Dirham 49) | Dirham 101 | - 51% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 303 ₨ (Dirham 5.77) | Dirham 8 | - 26% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 121 ₨ (Dirham 2.30) | Dirham 4.53 | - 49% | |
Housing | - 67% | |||
Housing in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 67% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 165,439 ₨ (Dirham 3,147) | Dirham 7,421 | - 58% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 69,658 ₨ (Dirham 1,325) | Dirham 4,663 | - 72% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 7,357 ₨ (Dirham 140) | Dirham 685 | - 80% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 105,523 ₨ (Dirham 2,007) | Dirham 4,857 | - 59% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 47,647 ₨ (Dirham 906) | Dirham 3,194 | - 72% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 4,443 ₨ (Dirham 85) | Dirham 358 | - 76% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 2,285 ₨ (Dirham 43) | Dirham 261 | - 83% | |
40” flat screen tv | 67,829 ₨ (Dirham 1,290) | Dirham 979 | + 32% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 20,107 ₨ (Dirham 382) | Dirham 394 | - 3% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 948 ₨ (Dirham 18) | Dirham 37 | - 51% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 473 ₨ (Dirham 9) | Dirham 32 | - 71% | |
Clothes | - 42% | |||
Clothes in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 42% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 5,760 ₨ (Dirham 110) | Dirham 205 | - 47% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 4,986 ₨ (Dirham 95) | Dirham 146 | - 35% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 9,589 ₨ (Dirham 182) | Dirham 333 | - 45% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 8,402 ₨ (Dirham 160) | Dirham 397 | - 60% | |
Transportation | - 52% | |||
Transportation in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 52% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 5,459,990 ₨ (Dirham 103,856) | Dirham 91,289 | + 14% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 147 ₨ (Dirham 2.80) | Dirham 2.07 | + 35% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 2,700 ₨ (Dirham 51) | Dirham 262 | - 80% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 515 ₨ (Dirham 10) | Dirham 60 | - 84% | |
Personal Care | - 63% | |||
Personal Care in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 63% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 462 ₨ (Dirham 9) | Dirham 22 | - 60% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 540 ₨ (Dirham 10) | Dirham 51 | - 80% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,704 ₨ (Dirham 51) | Dirham 266 | - 81% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 658 ₨ (Dirham 13) | Dirham 23 | - 46% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 493 ₨ (Dirham 9) | Dirham 18 | - 47% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 543 ₨ (Dirham 10) | Dirham 21 | - 50% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 356 ₨ (Dirham 7) | Dirham 12 | - 43% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 175 ₨ (Dirham 3.33) | Dirham 13 | - 74% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 584 ₨ (Dirham 11) | Dirham 77 | - 86% | |
Entertainment | - 59% | |||
Entertainment in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 59% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 2,608 ₨ (Dirham 50) | Dirham 187 | - 73% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 1,338 ₨ (Dirham 25) | Dirham 79 | - 68% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 3,358 ₨ (Dirham 64) | Dirham 444 | - 86% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 4,595 ₨ (Dirham 87) | Dirham 380 | - 77% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 1,243 ₨ (Dirham 24) | Dirham 73 | - 68% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 515 ₨ (Dirham 10) | Dirham 24 | - 58% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 444 ₨ (Dirham 8) | Dirham 55 | - 85% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 80,262 ₨ (Dirham 1,527) | Dirham 1,873 | - 19% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 53 ₨ (Dirham 1.00) | Dirham 0.71 | + 41% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 4,022 ₨ (Dirham 77) | Dirham 347 | - 78% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,300 ₨ (Dirham 25) | Dirham 18 | + 39% | |
TOTAL | - 60% |

These prices were last updated on April 18, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.01902
AED
/
LKR
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Cost of living in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 60% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require Dirham 22,000 in Dubai you would need to make just about Dirham 8,902 (467,995 ₨) in Colombo.
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