Cost of living in Sri Lanka compared to China
Currency:
Food | - 61% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Sri Lanka is 61% cheaper than in China | ||||
Sri Lanka | China | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 695 ₨ (13元) | 43元 | - 70% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 932 ₨ (17元) | 37元 | - 53% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 511 ₨ (9元) | 17元 | - 44% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 272 ₨ (5.04元) | 14元 | - 65% | |
12 eggs, large | 340 ₨ (6元) | 16元 | - 62% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 257 ₨ (4.76元) | 9元 | - 46% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 1,162 ₨ (22元) | 48元 | - 55% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 840 ₨ (16元) | 13元 | + 21% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 215 ₨ (3.98元) | 6元 | - 34% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 310 ₨ (5.76元) | 7元 | - 14% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 2,763 ₨ (51元) | 97元 | - 47% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 251 ₨ (4.66元) | 9元 | - 50% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 86 ₨ (1.59元) | 13元 | - 88% | |
Housing | - 78% | |||
Housing in Sri Lanka is 78% cheaper than in China | ||||
Sri Lanka | China | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 111,510 ₨ (2,068元) | 13,898元 | - 85% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 100,478 ₨ (1,864元) | 8,379元 | - 78% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 20,184 ₨ (374元) | 462元 | - 19% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 105,628 ₨ (1,959元) | 6,525元 | - 70% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 52,005 ₨ (965元) | 4,376元 | - 78% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 3,776 ₨ (70元) | 516元 | - 86% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,441 ₨ (27元) | 140元 | - 81% | |
40” flat screen tv | 81,569 ₨ (1,513元) | 1,829元 | - 17% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 31,964 ₨ (593元) | 546元 | + 9% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,036 ₨ (19元) | 50元 | - 61% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 405 ₨ (8元) | 66元 | - 89% | |
Clothes | - 69% | |||
Clothes in Sri Lanka is 69% cheaper than in China | ||||
Sri Lanka | China | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 5,330 ₨ (99元) | 511元 | - 81% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 6,315 ₨ (117元) | 288元 | - 59% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 12,534 ₨ (232元) | 654元 | - 64% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 5,781 ₨ (107元) | 844元 | - 87% | |
Transportation | - 65% | |||
Transportation in Sri Lanka is 65% cheaper than in China | ||||
Sri Lanka | China | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 3,000,000 ₨ (55,641元) | 148,501元 | - 63% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 191 ₨ (3.55元) | 8元 | - 57% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 2,223 ₨ (41元) | 206元 | - 80% | |
Personal Care | - 76% | |||
Personal Care in Sri Lanka is 76% cheaper than in China | ||||
Sri Lanka | China | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 100 ₨ (1.85元) | 28元 | - 93% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | 27元 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,000 ₨ (37元) | 386元 | - 90% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 1,000 ₨ (19元) | 30元 | - 38% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 196 ₨ (3.64元) | 19元 | - 81% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 505 ₨ (9元) | 44元 | - 78% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 143 ₨ (2.65元) | 21元 | - 87% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 133 ₨ (2.46元) | 16元 | - 84% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 719 ₨ (13元) | 82元 | - 84% | |
Entertainment | - 56% | |||
Entertainment in Sri Lanka is 56% cheaper than in China | ||||
Sri Lanka | China | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 2,111 ₨ (39元) | 260元 | - 85% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 1,650 ₨ (31元) | 122元 | - 75% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,000 ₨ (37元) | 417元 | - 91% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 4,719 ₨ (88元) | 319元 | - 73% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 1,728 ₨ (32元) | 90元 | - 64% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 834 ₨ (15元) | 31元 | - 50% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 350 ₨ (6元) | 19元 | - 65% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 150,000 ₨ (2,782元) | 2,968元 | - 6% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | 0.24元 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 5,061 ₨ (94元) | 410元 | - 77% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,645 ₨ (31元) | 38元 | - 19% | |
TOTAL | - 68% |

These prices were last updated on May 11, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.01855
CNY
/
LKR
Cost of living in Sri Lanka is 68% cheaper than in China
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