Cost of living in Colombo, Sri Lanka vs Melbourne, Australia
Currency:
Food | - 61% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 61% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 552 ₨ (AU$3.62) | AU$18 | - 79% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 820 ₨ (AU$5.38) | AU$12 | - 55% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 398 ₨ (AU$2.61) | AU$5.27 | - 50% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 217 ₨ (AU$1.42) | AU$1.48 | - 4% | |
12 eggs, large | 279 ₨ (AU$1.83) | AU$5.06 | - 64% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 183 ₨ (AU$1.20) | AU$4.83 | - 75% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 846 ₨ (AU$5.55) | AU$6 | - 15% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 380 ₨ (AU$2.49) | AU$4.57 | - 45% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 166 ₨ (AU$1.09) | AU$3.19 | - 66% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 269 ₨ (AU$1.76) | AU$5.70 | - 69% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 2,602 ₨ (AU$17) | AU$17 | + 1% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 303 ₨ (AU$1.99) | AU$2.80 | - 29% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 116 ₨ (AU$0.76) | AU$2.67 | - 71% | |
Housing | - 70% | |||
Housing in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 70% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 160,491 ₨ (AU$1,053) | AU$2,894 | - 64% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 63,776 ₨ (AU$419) | AU$2,147 | - 81% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 7,357 ₨ (AU$48) | AU$238 | - 80% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 101,229 ₨ (AU$664) | AU$1,809 | - 63% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 47,646 ₨ (AU$313) | AU$1,422 | - 78% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 4,483 ₨ (AU$29) | AU$159 | - 81% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 2,285 ₨ (AU$15) | AU$46 | - 68% | |
40” flat screen tv | 67,829 ₨ (AU$445) | AU$354 | + 26% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 20,107 ₨ (AU$132) | AU$212 | - 38% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 948 ₨ (AU$6) | AU$12 | - 47% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 473 ₨ (AU$3.11) | AU$28 | - 89% | |
Clothes | - 49% | |||
Clothes in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 49% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 5,646 ₨ (AU$37) | AU$101 | - 63% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 5,277 ₨ (AU$35) | AU$59 | - 41% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 11,124 ₨ (AU$73) | AU$129 | - 43% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 7,687 ₨ (AU$50) | AU$131 | - 62% | |
Transportation | - 68% | |||
Transportation in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 68% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 5,459,990 ₨ (AU$35,837) | AU$27,303 | + 31% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 147 ₨ (AU$0.97) | AU$1.38 | - 30% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 2,700 ₨ (AU$18) | AU$160 | - 89% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 654 ₨ (AU$4.29) | AU$21 | - 80% | |
Personal Care | - 57% | |||
Personal Care in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 57% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 462 ₨ (AU$3.03) | AU$7 | - 58% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 540 ₨ (AU$3.55) | AU$24 | - 85% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,704 ₨ (AU$18) | AU$72 | - 75% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 658 ₨ (AU$4.32) | AU$7 | - 37% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 493 ₨ (AU$3.24) | AU$4.31 | - 25% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 543 ₨ (AU$3.56) | AU$5.32 | - 33% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 356 ₨ (AU$2.34) | AU$2.55 | - 8% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 175 ₨ (AU$1.15) | AU$3.01 | - 62% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 584 ₨ (AU$3.83) | AU$36 | - 89% | |
Entertainment | - 54% | |||
Entertainment in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 54% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 2,182 ₨ (AU$14) | AU$51 | - 72% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 1,211 ₨ (AU$8) | AU$39 | - 80% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 3,641 ₨ (AU$24) | AU$226 | - 89% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 4,551 ₨ (AU$30) | AU$78 | - 62% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 1,243 ₨ (AU$8) | AU$16 | - 48% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 539 ₨ (AU$3.54) | AU$4.40 | - 20% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 476 ₨ (AU$3.12) | AU$10 | - 69% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 80,262 ₨ (AU$527) | AU$634 | - 17% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 53 ₨ (AU$0.35) | AU$0.25 | + 41% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 4,112 ₨ (AU$27) | AU$72 | - 62% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,300 ₨ (AU$9) | AU$33 | - 75% | |
TOTAL | - 64% |

These prices were last updated on March 03, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00656
AUD
/
LKR
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Cost of living in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 64% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require AU$8,300 in Melbourne you would need to make just about AU$2,986 (454,989 ₨) in Colombo.
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