Cost of living in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 62% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,448 prices entered by 338 different people.
| Food in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 61% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colombo (Sri Lanka) | Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | Diff |
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ||
| 519 ₨ (Dirham 9) | Dirham 61 | 84% |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ||
| 804 ₨ (Dirham 15) | Dirham 27 | 46% |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ||
| 420 ₨ (Dirham 8) | Dirham 22 | 65% |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ||
| 217 ₨ (Dirham 3.97) | Dirham 8 | 50% |
| 12 eggs, large | ||
| 279 ₨ (Dirham 5.10) | Dirham 16 | 67% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ||
| 183 ₨ (Dirham 3.34) | Dirham 8 | 56% |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ||
| 846 ₨ (Dirham 15) | Dirham 29 | 46% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ||
| 380 ₨ (Dirham 7) | Dirham 10 | 28% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ||
| 166 ₨ (Dirham 3.04) | Dirham 4.98 | 39% |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ||
| 269 ₨ (Dirham 4.91) | Dirham 12 | 57% |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ||
| 2,602 ₨ (Dirham 48) | Dirham 101 | 53% |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ||
| 303 ₨ (Dirham 5.55) | Dirham 8 | 29% |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ||
| 116 ₨ (Dirham 2.12) | Dirham 4.53 | 53% |
| Housing in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 69% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||
| Colombo (Sri Lanka) | Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | Diff |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ||
| 160,491 ₨ (Dirham 2,934) | Dirham 7,421 | 60% |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ||
| 63,776 ₨ (Dirham 1,166) | Dirham 4,663 | 75% |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ||
| 7,357 ₨ (Dirham 134) | Dirham 685 | 80% |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ||
| 101,229 ₨ (Dirham 1,851) | Dirham 4,857 | 62% |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ||
| 47,646 ₨ (Dirham 871) | Dirham 3,194 | 73% |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ||
| 4,483 ₨ (Dirham 82) | Dirham 358 | 77% |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ||
| 2,285 ₨ (Dirham 42) | Dirham 261 | 84% |
| 40” flat screen TV | ||
| 67,829 ₨ (Dirham 1,240) | Dirham 979 | 27% |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ||
| 20,107 ₨ (Dirham 368) | Dirham 394 | 7% |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ||
| 948 ₨ (Dirham 17) | Dirham 37 | 53% |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ||
| 473 ₨ (Dirham 9) | Dirham 32 | 73% |
| Clothes in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 42% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||
| Colombo (Sri Lanka) | Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | Diff |
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ||
| 5,646 ₨ (Dirham 103) | Dirham 205 | 50% |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ||
| 5,277 ₨ (Dirham 96) | Dirham 146 | 34% |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ||
| 11,124 ₨ (Dirham 203) | Dirham 333 | 39% |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ||
| 7,687 ₨ (Dirham 141) | Dirham 397 | 65% |
| Transportation in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 53% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||
| Colombo (Sri Lanka) | Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | Diff |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ||
| 5,459,990 ₨ (Dirham 99,815) | Dirham 91,289 | 9% |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ||
| 147 ₨ (Dirham 2.69) | Dirham 2.07 | 30% |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ||
| 2,700 ₨ (Dirham 49) | Dirham 262 | 81% |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ||
| 515 ₨ (Dirham 9) | Dirham 60 | 84% |
| Personal Care in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 65% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||
| Colombo (Sri Lanka) | Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | Diff |
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ||
| 462 ₨ (Dirham 8) | Dirham 22 | 61% |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ||
| 540 ₨ (Dirham 10) | Dirham 51 | 81% |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ||
| 2,704 ₨ (Dirham 49) | Dirham 266 | 81% |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ||
| 658 ₨ (Dirham 12) | Dirham 23 | 48% |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ||
| 493 ₨ (Dirham 9) | Dirham 18 | 49% |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ||
| 543 ₨ (Dirham 10) | Dirham 21 | 52% |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ||
| 356 ₨ (Dirham 7) | Dirham 12 | 45% |
| Tube of toothpaste | ||
| 175 ₨ (Dirham 3.21) | Dirham 13 | 75% |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ||
| 584 ₨ (Dirham 11) | Dirham 77 | 86% |
| Entertainment in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 61% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||
| Colombo (Sri Lanka) | Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | Diff |
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ||
| 2,182 ₨ (Dirham 40) | Dirham 187 | 79% |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ||
| 1,211 ₨ (Dirham 22) | Dirham 79 | 72% |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ||
| 3,641 ₨ (Dirham 67) | Dirham 444 | 85% |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ||
| 4,551 ₨ (Dirham 83) | Dirham 380 | 78% |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ||
| 1,243 ₨ (Dirham 23) | Dirham 73 | 69% |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ||
| 539 ₨ (Dirham 10) | Dirham 24 | 58% |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ||
| 476 ₨ (Dirham 9) | Dirham 55 | 84% |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ||
| 80,262 ₨ (Dirham 1,467) | Dirham 1,873 | 22% |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ||
| 53 ₨ (Dirham 0.96) | Dirham 0.71 | 35% |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ||
| 4,112 ₨ (Dirham 75) | Dirham 347 | 78% |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ||
| 1,300 ₨ (Dirham 24) | Dirham 18 | 34% |
Detailed prices for each city individually
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Compare other countries
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require Dirham 21,000 in Dubai you would need to make just about Dirham 8,083 (442,176 ₨) in Colombo.