Cost of living in Sri Lanka compared to India
Currency:
| Food | + 3% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Sri Lanka is about the same as in India | ||||
| Sri Lanka | India | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 505 ₨ (₨185) | ₨345 | - 46% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 846 ₨ (₨310) | ₨288 | + 8% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 461 ₨ (₨169) | ₨146 | + 16% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 198 ₨ (₨73) | ₨54 | + 35% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 271 ₨ (₨99) | ₨81 | + 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 227 ₨ (₨83) | ₨36 | + 130% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 1,346 ₨ (₨493) | ₨228 | + 116% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 559 ₨ (₨205) | ₨157 | + 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 156 ₨ (₨57) | ₨29 | + 95% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 279 ₨ (₨102) | ₨146 | - 30% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 2,545 ₨ (₨932) | ₨679 | + 37% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 235 ₨ (₨86) | ₨90 | - 4% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 74 ₨ (₨27) | ₨35 | - 22% | |
| Housing | + 31% | |||
| Housing in Sri Lanka is 31% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Sri Lanka | India | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 125,778 ₨ (₨46,082) | ₨29,804 | + 55% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 76,087 ₨ (₨27,876) | ₨20,397 | + 37% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 37,564 ₨ (₨13,763) | ₨4,123 | + 234% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 107,082 ₨ (₨39,232) | ₨20,000 | + 96% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 46,066 ₨ (₨16,877) | ₨13,091 | + 29% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 3,101 ₨ (₨1,136) | ₨5,317 | - 79% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,410 ₨ (₨517) | ₨666 | - 22% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 63,842 ₨ (₨23,390) | ₨28,029 | - 17% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 38,413 ₨ (₨14,074) | ₨11,430 | + 23% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,116 ₨ (₨409) | ₨350 | + 17% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 300 ₨ (₨110) | ₨509 | - 78% | |
| Clothes | - 13% | |||
| Clothes in Sri Lanka is 13% cheaper than in India | ||||
| Sri Lanka | India | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 5,443 ₨ (₨1,994) | ₨2,321 | - 14% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 5,915 ₨ (₨2,167) | ₨2,519 | - 14% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 8,589 ₨ (₨3,147) | ₨3,731 | - 16% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 7,737 ₨ (₨2,835) | ₨2,851 | - 1% | |
| Transportation | - 19% | |||
| Transportation in Sri Lanka is 19% cheaper than in India | ||||
| Sri Lanka | India | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | ₨1,021,150 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 145 ₨ (₨53) | ₨96 | - 44% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 2,295 ₨ (₨841) | ₨1,210 | - 31% | |
| Personal Care | - 37% | |||
| Personal Care in Sri Lanka is 37% cheaper than in India | ||||
| Sri Lanka | India | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 597 ₨ (₨219) | ₨107 | + 104% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 311 ₨ (₨114) | ₨218 | - 48% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,432 ₨ (₨891) | ₨605 | + 47% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 1,000 ₨ (₨366) | ₨376 | - 3% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 275 ₨ (₨101) | ₨192 | - 47% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 507 ₨ (₨186) | ₨268 | - 31% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 80 ₨ (₨29) | ₨164 | - 82% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 99 ₨ (₨36) | ₨80 | - 55% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 651 ₨ (₨238) | ₨245 | - 3% | |
| Entertainment | + 6% | |||
| Entertainment in Sri Lanka is 6% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Sri Lanka | India | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 2,493 ₨ (₨913) | ₨1,199 | - 24% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 1,530 ₨ (₨561) | ₨486 | + 15% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 3,800 ₨ (₨1,392) | ₨1,354 | + 3% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 6,394 ₨ (₨2,343) | ₨1,712 | + 37% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 1,209 ₨ (₨443) | ₨684 | - 35% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 914 ₨ (₨335) | ₨204 | + 64% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 354 ₨ (₨130) | ₨173 | - 25% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 105,394 ₨ (₨38,614) | ₨44,632 | - 13% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ₨2.32 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 5,050 ₨ (₨1,850) | ₨1,393 | + 33% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,799 ₨ (₨659) | ₨279 | + 136% | |
| TOTAL | + 2% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 5,488 prices entered by 1,187 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 18, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.36637
INR
/
LKR
Cost of living in Sri Lanka is about the same as in India
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