Cost of living in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 60% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 640 prices entered by 71 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 58% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 58% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 1,533 ₨ ($5.08) | $26 | - 81% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 2,186 ₨ ($7) | $13 | - 45% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 944 ₨ ($3.13) | $7 | - 52% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 555 ₨ ($1.84) | $1.18 | + 56% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 671 ₨ ($2.23) | $8 | - 72% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 456 ₨ ($1.51) | $5.20 | - 71% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 2,772 ₨ ($9) | $8 | + 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2,016 ₨ ($7) | $4.22 | + 58% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 390 ₨ ($1.29) | $1.91 | - 32% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 611 ₨ ($2.03) | $6 | - 67% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 4,642 ₨ ($15) | $15 | + 4% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 446 ₨ ($1.48) | $3.17 | - 53% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 204 ₨ ($0.68) | $3.29 | - 79% | |
| Housing | - 80% | |||
| Housing in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 80% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 255,406 ₨ ($847) | $4,089 | - 79% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 119,113 ₨ ($395) | $2,957 | - 87% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 35,945 ₨ ($119) | $260 | - 54% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 127,949 ₨ ($424) | $2,976 | - 86% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 70,479 ₨ ($234) | $2,381 | - 90% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 17,740 ₨ ($59) | $202 | - 71% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 4,462 ₨ ($15) | $56 | - 74% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 186,711 ₨ ($619) | $387 | + 60% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 52,502 ₨ ($174) | $161 | + 8% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,424 ₨ ($11) | $16 | - 30% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 1,241 ₨ ($4.12) | $36 | - 89% | |
| Clothes | - 5% | |||
| Clothes in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 5% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 13,852 ₨ ($46) | $69 | - 33% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 21,353 ₨ ($71) | $52 | + 36% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 26,725 ₨ ($89) | $106 | - 17% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 15,493 ₨ ($51) | $143 | - 64% | |
| Transportation | - 18% | |||
| Transportation in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 18% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 18,238,700 ₨ ($60,499) | $27,289 | + 122% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 357 ₨ ($1.19) | $1.21 | - 2% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 4,297 ₨ ($14) | $53 | - 73% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | - | $21 | - | |
| Personal Care | - 71% | |||
| Personal Care in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 71% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 605 ₨ ($2.01) | $7 | - 72% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 1,748 ₨ ($5.80) | $20 | - 71% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 6,400 ₨ ($21) | $212 | - 90% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 1,798 ₨ ($5.96) | $8 | - 30% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,008 ₨ ($3.34) | $4.77 | - 30% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 892 ₨ ($2.96) | $7 | - 61% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 813 ₨ ($2.70) | $5.67 | - 52% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 339 ₨ ($1.13) | $2.80 | - 60% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 1,814 ₨ ($6) | $36 | - 83% | |
| Entertainment | - 63% | |||
| Entertainment in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 63% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 6,318 ₨ ($21) | $70 | - 70% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 1,824 ₨ ($6) | $43 | - 86% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 10,405 ₨ ($35) | $437 | - 92% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 10,979 ₨ ($36) | $137 | - 73% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 4,074 ₨ ($14) | $20 | - 31% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 998 ₨ ($3.31) | $6 | - 47% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 830 ₨ ($2.75) | $9 | - 69% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 179,650 ₨ ($596) | $502 | + 19% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 103 ₨ ($0.34) | $1.02 | - 67% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 8,783 ₨ ($29) | $71 | - 59% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 4,181 ₨ ($14) | $13 | + 4% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 60% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 640 prices entered by 71 different people.
These prices were last updated on July 16, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00332
USD
/
LKR
Detailed prices for each city individually
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $12,000 in Los Angeles, California you would need to make just about $4,742 (1,429,532 ₨) in Colombo.
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