Cost of living in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 44% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia)
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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 1,082 prices entered by 164 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 38% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 38% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 1,045 ₨ (AU$5.43) | AU$22 | - 75% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 1,212 ₨ (AU$6) | AU$14 | - 55% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 788 ₨ (AU$4.10) | AU$8 | - 46% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 450 ₨ (AU$2.34) | AU$1.77 | + 32% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 1,095 ₨ (AU$5.70) | AU$7 | - 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 432 ₨ (AU$2.25) | AU$7 | - 66% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,539 ₨ (AU$18) | AU$10 | + 93% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2,046 ₨ (AU$11) | AU$4.67 | + 128% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 302 ₨ (AU$1.57) | AU$3.12 | - 50% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 596 ₨ (AU$3.10) | AU$5.48 | - 43% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 6,315 ₨ (AU$33) | AU$20 | + 65% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 480 ₨ (AU$2.50) | AU$4.10 | - 39% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 164 ₨ (AU$0.86) | AU$2.72 | - 68% | |
| Housing | - 62% | |||
| Housing in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 62% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 232,349 ₨ (AU$1,209) | AU$2,922 | - 59% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 113,059 ₨ (AU$588) | AU$2,042 | - 71% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 38,118 ₨ (AU$198) | AU$254 | - 22% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 150,008 ₨ (AU$781) | AU$2,275 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 75,160 ₨ (AU$391) | AU$1,693 | - 77% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 22,756 ₨ (AU$118) | AU$170 | - 30% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 3,750 ₨ (AU$20) | AU$69 | - 72% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 205,570 ₨ (AU$1,070) | AU$541 | + 98% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 51,786 ₨ (AU$269) | AU$214 | + 26% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,830 ₨ (AU$20) | AU$12 | + 62% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 1,000 ₨ (AU$5.20) | AU$37 | - 86% | |
| Clothes | - 31% | |||
| Clothes in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 31% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 19,184 ₨ (AU$100) | AU$123 | - 19% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 9,773 ₨ (AU$51) | AU$82 | - 38% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 25,919 ₨ (AU$135) | AU$164 | - 18% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 22,399 ₨ (AU$117) | AU$180 | - 35% | |
| Transportation | - 42% | |||
| Transportation in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 42% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 18,077,000 ₨ (AU$94,058) | AU$30,739 | + 206% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 400 ₨ (AU$2.08) | AU$1.99 | + 5% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 6,254 ₨ (AU$33) | AU$170 | - 81% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 1,588 ₨ (AU$8) | AU$21 | - 61% | |
| Personal Care | - 36% | |||
| Personal Care in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 36% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 335 ₨ (AU$1.75) | AU$11 | - 84% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 1,657 ₨ (AU$9) | AU$12 | - 28% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 3,009 ₨ (AU$16) | AU$82 | - 81% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 1,292 ₨ (AU$7) | AU$7 | - 9% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,163 ₨ (AU$6) | AU$5.70 | + 6% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,097 ₨ (AU$5.71) | AU$5.87 | - 3% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 998 ₨ (AU$5.19) | AU$4.66 | + 11% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 294 ₨ (AU$1.53) | AU$3.36 | - 54% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 1,511 ₨ (AU$8) | AU$33 | - 76% | |
| Entertainment | - 34% | |||
| Entertainment in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 34% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 10,877 ₨ (AU$57) | AU$55 | + 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 2,334 ₨ (AU$12) | AU$45 | - 73% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 5,859 ₨ (AU$30) | AU$362 | - 92% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 21,644 ₨ (AU$113) | AU$105 | + 7% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 8,885 ₨ (AU$46) | AU$22 | + 112% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 870 ₨ (AU$4.53) | AU$4.80 | - 6% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,088 ₨ (AU$5.66) | AU$11 | - 48% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 253,140 ₨ (AU$1,317) | AU$814 | + 62% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 17 ₨ (AU$0.09) | AU$0.60 | - 85% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 10,080 ₨ (AU$52) | AU$80 | - 34% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 3,165 ₨ (AU$16) | AU$42 | - 61% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 44% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,082 prices entered by 164 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 03, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00520
AUD
/
LKR
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require AU$8,800 in Melbourne you would need to make just about AU$4,898 (941,306 ₨) in Colombo.
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