Cost of living in Sri Lanka compared to China
Currency:
Food | + 6% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Sri Lanka is 6% more expensive than in China | ||||
Sri Lanka | China | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 2,631 ₨ (59元) | 46元 | + 29% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 2,765 ₨ (62元) | 40元 | + 56% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 901 ₨ (20元) | 15元 | + 34% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 448 ₨ (10元) | 17元 | - 42% | |
12 eggs, large | 623 ₨ (14元) | 18元 | - 24% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 517 ₨ (12元) | 11元 | + 9% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 2,175 ₨ (49元) | 62元 | - 21% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 898 ₨ (20元) | 15元 | + 33% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 355 ₨ (8元) | 7元 | + 20% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 568 ₨ (13元) | 6元 | + 97% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 6,359 ₨ (143元) | 118元 | + 21% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 401 ₨ (9元) | 9元 | - 1% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 264 ₨ (5.93元) | 15元 | - 61% | |
Housing | - 46% | |||
Housing in Sri Lanka is 46% cheaper than in China | ||||
Sri Lanka | China | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 348,682 ₨ (7,828元) | 13,507元 | - 42% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 78,935 ₨ (1,772元) | 7,710元 | - 77% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 19,481 ₨ (437元) | 488元 | - 10% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 114,403 ₨ (2,568元) | 7,095元 | - 64% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 75,789 ₨ (1,701元) | 4,246元 | - 60% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 23,171 ₨ (520元) | 271元 | + 92% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 3,223 ₨ (72元) | 113元 | - 36% | |
40” flat screen tv | 114,021 ₨ (2,560元) | 1,322元 | + 94% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 53,577 ₨ (1,203元) | 592元 | + 103% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 2,368 ₨ (53元) | 34元 | + 57% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 1,000 ₨ (22元) | 49元 | - 54% | |
Clothes | - 56% | |||
Clothes in Sri Lanka is 56% cheaper than in China | ||||
Sri Lanka | China | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 7,007 ₨ (157元) | 510元 | - 69% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 4,778 ₨ (107元) | 252元 | - 57% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 21,337 ₨ (479元) | 624元 | - 23% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 16,573 ₨ (372元) | 839元 | - 56% | |
Transportation | + 12% | |||
Transportation in Sri Lanka is 12% more expensive than in China | ||||
Sri Lanka | China | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 18,612,500 ₨ (417,852元) | 159,743元 | + 162% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 355 ₨ (8元) | 9元 | - 8% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 3,615 ₨ (81元) | 198元 | - 59% | |
Personal Care | - 31% | |||
Personal Care in Sri Lanka is 31% cheaper than in China | ||||
Sri Lanka | China | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 2,499 ₨ (56元) | 41元 | + 35% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 1,086 ₨ (24元) | 29元 | - 15% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 4,000 ₨ (90元) | 328元 | - 73% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 1,314 ₨ (30元) | 52元 | - 43% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 862 ₨ (19元) | 45元 | - 57% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 972 ₨ (22元) | 36元 | - 40% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,415 ₨ (32元) | 12元 | + 168% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 306 ₨ (7元) | 15元 | - 53% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 1,877 ₨ (42元) | 86元 | - 51% | |
Entertainment | - 16% | |||
Entertainment in Sri Lanka is 16% cheaper than in China | ||||
Sri Lanka | China | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 3,399 ₨ (76元) | 249元 | - 69% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 1,340 ₨ (30元) | 111元 | - 73% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 5,883 ₨ (132元) | 1,566元 | - 92% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 8,087 ₨ (182元) | 399元 | - 55% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 7,041 ₨ (158元) | 76元 | + 107% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 873 ₨ (20元) | 30元 | - 35% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,070 ₨ (24元) | 15元 | + 57% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 259,143 ₨ (5,818元) | 2,783元 | + 109% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 6 ₨ (0.14元) | 0.24元 | - 38% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 8,065 ₨ (181元) | 427元 | - 58% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 5,907 ₨ (133元) | 24元 | + 463% | |
TOTAL | - 18% |

These prices were last updated on September 26, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.02245
CNY
/
LKR
Cost of living in Sri Lanka is 18% cheaper than in China
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