Cost of living in Sri Lanka compared to India
Currency:
Food | + 4% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Sri Lanka is about the same as in India | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 480 ₨ (₨177) | ₨350 | - 49% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 782 ₨ (₨289) | ₨290 | - 0% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 445 ₨ (₨164) | ₨142 | + 16% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 226 ₨ (₨83) | ₨52 | + 60% | |
12 eggs, large | 309 ₨ (₨114) | ₨72 | + 59% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 188 ₨ (₨70) | ₨36 | + 94% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 1,120 ₨ (₨413) | ₨229 | + 81% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 371 ₨ (₨137) | ₨138 | - 1% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 178 ₨ (₨66) | ₨31 | + 113% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 251 ₨ (₨93) | ₨132 | - 30% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 2,290 ₨ (₨845) | ₨763 | + 11% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 294 ₨ (₨108) | ₨85 | + 27% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 119 ₨ (₨44) | ₨36 | + 23% | |
Housing | + 41% | |||
Housing in Sri Lanka is 41% more expensive than in India | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 144,313 ₨ (₨53,248) | ₨33,514 | + 59% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 71,151 ₨ (₨26,253) | ₨20,078 | + 31% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 19,294 ₨ (₨7,119) | ₨4,877 | + 46% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 101,229 ₨ (₨37,351) | ₨19,082 | + 96% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 51,428 ₨ (₨18,976) | ₨12,146 | + 56% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 5,094 ₨ (₨1,880) | ₨3,419 | - 45% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 3,334 ₨ (₨1,230) | ₨678 | + 82% | |
40” flat screen tv | 50,048 ₨ (₨18,466) | ₨29,148 | - 37% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 24,717 ₨ (₨9,120) | ₨10,326 | - 12% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 946 ₨ (₨349) | ₨399 | - 13% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ₨250 | - | |
Clothes | - 9% | |||
Clothes in Sri Lanka is 9% cheaper than in India | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 5,448 ₨ (₨2,010) | ₨2,330 | - 14% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 6,204 ₨ (₨2,289) | ₨2,598 | - 12% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 11,641 ₨ (₨4,295) | ₨3,668 | + 17% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 7,186 ₨ (₨2,651) | ₨2,755 | - 4% | |
Transportation | + 31% | |||
Transportation in Sri Lanka is 31% more expensive than in India | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 6,174,170 ₨ (₨2,278,112) | ₨921,658 | + 147% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 143 ₨ (₨53) | ₨79 | - 33% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 3,441 ₨ (₨1,270) | ₨1,229 | + 3% | |
Personal Care | - 3% | |||
Personal Care in Sri Lanka is about the same as in India | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 597 ₨ (₨220) | ₨105 | + 110% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 311 ₨ (₨115) | ₨209 | - 45% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,714 ₨ (₨1,002) | ₨622 | + 61% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 653 ₨ (₨241) | ₨319 | - 25% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 465 ₨ (₨172) | ₨163 | + 5% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 549 ₨ (₨203) | ₨255 | - 21% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 307 ₨ (₨113) | ₨141 | - 20% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 170 ₨ (₨63) | ₨67 | - 7% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 658 ₨ (₨243) | ₨240 | + 1% | |
Entertainment | + 2% | |||
Entertainment in Sri Lanka is about the same as in India | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 2,128 ₨ (₨785) | ₨1,189 | - 34% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 1,211 ₨ (₨447) | ₨473 | - 6% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 3,902 ₨ (₨1,440) | ₨1,675 | - 14% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 5,444 ₨ (₨2,009) | ₨1,633 | + 23% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 1,864 ₨ (₨688) | ₨597 | + 15% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 487 ₨ (₨180) | ₨195 | - 8% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 302 ₨ (₨111) | ₨190 | - 41% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 105,394 ₨ (₨38,888) | ₨35,885 | + 8% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 23 ₨ (₨9) | ₨5.16 | + 66% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 2,722 ₨ (₨1,005) | ₨1,585 | - 37% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,254 ₨ (₨463) | ₨271 | + 71% | |
TOTAL | + 18% |

These prices were last updated on January 23, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.36897
INR
/
LKR
Cost of living in Sri Lanka is 18% more expensive than in India
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Angola is 149% more expensive than in India
- Cost of living in Armenia is 6% cheaper than in India
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 195% more expensive than in India
- Cost of living in Andorra is 210% more expensive than in India
- Cost of living in Argentina is 8% more expensive than in India
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 176% more expensive than in India
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 39% more expensive than in India
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in India