Cost of living in Sri Lanka compared to India
Currency:
Food | + 10% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Sri Lanka is 10% more expensive than in India | ||||
Sri Lanka | India | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 706 ₨ (₨158) | ₨371 | - 58% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 1,383 ₨ (₨309) | ₨339 | - 9% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 844 ₨ (₨188) | ₨172 | + 10% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 471 ₨ (₨105) | ₨55 | + 92% | |
12 eggs, large | 610 ₨ (₨136) | ₨90 | + 52% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 265 ₨ (₨59) | ₨45 | + 32% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 2,141 ₨ (₨478) | ₨236 | + 103% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,401 ₨ (₨313) | ₨162 | + 93% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 287 ₨ (₨64) | ₨32 | + 103% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 741 ₨ (₨165) | ₨158 | + 5% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 4,871 ₨ (₨1,087) | ₨769 | + 41% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 395 ₨ (₨88) | ₨88 | - 0% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 162 ₨ (₨36) | ₨39 | - 8% | |
Housing | - 19% | |||
Housing in Sri Lanka is 19% cheaper than in India | ||||
Sri Lanka | India | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 155,678 ₨ (₨34,751) | ₨46,976 | - 26% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 53,101 ₨ (₨11,853) | ₨26,959 | - 56% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 40,759 ₨ (₨9,098) | ₨5,564 | + 64% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 79,173 ₨ (₨17,673) | ₨24,930 | - 29% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 57,333 ₨ (₨12,798) | ₨14,320 | - 11% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 13,113 ₨ (₨2,927) | ₨5,294 | - 45% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 2,932 ₨ (₨654) | ₨659 | - 1% | |
40” flat screen tv | 163,546 ₨ (₨36,507) | ₨29,641 | + 23% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 58,206 ₨ (₨12,993) | ₨12,041 | + 8% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 2,069 ₨ (₨462) | ₨548 | - 16% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 806 ₨ (₨180) | ₨442 | - 59% | |
Clothes | - 23% | |||
Clothes in Sri Lanka is 23% cheaper than in India | ||||
Sri Lanka | India | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 10,457 ₨ (₨2,334) | ₨2,594 | - 10% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 7,912 ₨ (₨1,766) | ₨2,556 | - 31% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 20,662 ₨ (₨4,612) | ₨4,248 | + 9% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 9,593 ₨ (₨2,141) | ₨3,070 | - 30% | |
Transportation | + 23% | |||
Transportation in Sri Lanka is 23% more expensive than in India | ||||
Sri Lanka | India | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 8,434,860 ₨ (₨1,882,862) | ₨1,062,730 | + 77% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 394 ₨ (₨88) | ₨108 | - 19% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 6,409 ₨ (₨1,431) | ₨1,165 | + 23% | |
Personal Care | + 1% | |||
Personal Care in Sri Lanka is about the same as in India | ||||
Sri Lanka | India | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 477 ₨ (₨106) | ₨126 | - 16% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 4,605 ₨ (₨1,028) | ₨247 | + 316% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 4,000 ₨ (₨893) | ₨1,330 | - 33% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 2,317 ₨ (₨517) | ₨392 | + 32% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 621 ₨ (₨139) | ₨206 | - 33% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 781 ₨ (₨174) | ₨267 | - 35% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 364 ₨ (₨81) | ₨177 | - 54% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 242 ₨ (₨54) | ₨88 | - 39% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 2,145 ₨ (₨479) | ₨306 | + 56% | |
Entertainment | + 31% | |||
Entertainment in Sri Lanka is 31% more expensive than in India | ||||
Sri Lanka | India | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 6,510 ₨ (₨1,453) | ₨1,485 | - 2% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 3,000 ₨ (₨670) | ₨647 | + 4% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 20,000 ₨ (₨4,464) | ₨1,500 | + 198% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 10,101 ₨ (₨2,255) | ₨1,809 | + 25% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 5,749 ₨ (₨1,283) | ₨641 | + 100% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 972 ₨ (₨217) | ₨204 | + 6% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,266 ₨ (₨283) | ₨179 | + 58% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 262,628 ₨ (₨58,625) | ₨47,498 | + 23% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 8 ₨ (₨1.67) | ₨1.06 | + 58% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 6,815 ₨ (₨1,521) | ₨1,773 | - 14% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,929 ₨ (₨654) | ₨236 | + 177% | |
TOTAL | + 7% |

These prices were last updated on January 31, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.22322
INR
/
LKR
Cost of living in Sri Lanka is 7% more expensive than in India
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