Cost of living in Sri Lanka compared to India
Currency:
Food | + 57% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Sri Lanka is 57% more expensive than in India | ||||
Sri Lanka | India | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 998 ₨ (₨294) | ₨387 | - 24% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 2,048 ₨ (₨602) | ₨355 | + 70% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 909 ₨ (₨267) | ₨175 | + 52% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 514 ₨ (₨151) | ₨61 | + 150% | |
12 eggs, large | 705 ₨ (₨207) | ₨99 | + 109% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 456 ₨ (₨134) | ₨44 | + 202% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 2,103 ₨ (₨618) | ₨272 | + 127% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2,160 ₨ (₨635) | ₨198 | + 221% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 451 ₨ (₨133) | ₨41 | + 227% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 596 ₨ (₨175) | ₨175 | + 0% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 4,300 ₨ (₨1,265) | ₨999 | + 27% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 458 ₨ (₨135) | ₨93 | + 44% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 213 ₨ (₨63) | ₨43 | + 44% | |
Housing | + 18% | |||
Housing in Sri Lanka is 18% more expensive than in India | ||||
Sri Lanka | India | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 173,058 ₨ (₨50,906) | ₨44,454 | + 15% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 111,345 ₨ (₨32,753) | ₨29,266 | + 12% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 25,433 ₨ (₨7,481) | ₨5,484 | + 36% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 112,040 ₨ (₨32,957) | ₨29,483 | + 12% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 75,415 ₨ (₨22,184) | ₨18,481 | + 20% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 19,774 ₨ (₨5,817) | ₨5,765 | + 1% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 4,427 ₨ (₨1,302) | ₨767 | + 70% | |
40” flat screen tv | 180,582 ₨ (₨53,120) | ₨27,487 | + 93% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 80,000 ₨ (₨23,533) | ₨11,343 | + 107% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,944 ₨ (₨1,160) | ₨471 | + 146% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 2,000 ₨ (₨588) | ₨1,175 | - 50% | |
Clothes | + 52% | |||
Clothes in Sri Lanka is 52% more expensive than in India | ||||
Sri Lanka | India | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 10,081 ₨ (₨2,965) | ₨2,622 | + 13% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 16,149 ₨ (₨4,750) | ₨2,693 | + 76% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 21,628 ₨ (₨6,362) | ₨4,304 | + 48% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 11,704 ₨ (₨3,443) | ₨3,042 | + 13% | |
Transportation | + 34% | |||
Transportation in Sri Lanka is 34% more expensive than in India | ||||
Sri Lanka | India | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 15,224,800 ₨ (₨4,478,486) | ₨1,869,040 | + 140% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 368 ₨ (₨108) | ₨103 | + 5% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 4,131 ₨ (₨1,215) | ₨1,548 | - 21% | |
Personal Care | + 36% | |||
Personal Care in Sri Lanka is 36% more expensive than in India | ||||
Sri Lanka | India | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,716 ₨ (₨505) | ₨105 | + 379% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 1,590 ₨ (₨468) | ₨277 | + 69% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 4,642 ₨ (₨1,365) | ₨1,102 | + 24% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 1,769 ₨ (₨520) | ₨389 | + 34% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 887 ₨ (₨261) | ₨249 | + 5% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 730 ₨ (₨215) | ₨276 | - 22% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 953 ₨ (₨280) | ₨178 | + 57% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 382 ₨ (₨112) | ₨93 | + 21% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 1,566 ₨ (₨461) | ₨321 | + 43% | |
Entertainment | + 39% | |||
Entertainment in Sri Lanka is 39% more expensive than in India | ||||
Sri Lanka | India | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 5,275 ₨ (₨1,552) | ₨1,418 | + 9% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 1,626 ₨ (₨478) | ₨665 | - 28% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 5,319 ₨ (₨1,565) | ₨1,841 | - 15% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 9,309 ₨ (₨2,738) | ₨2,234 | + 23% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 2,846 ₨ (₨837) | ₨672 | + 25% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 887 ₨ (₨261) | ₨217 | + 20% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 736 ₨ (₨217) | ₨200 | + 8% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 170,155 ₨ (₨50,052) | ₨39,362 | + 27% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ₨4.75 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 8,491 ₨ (₨2,498) | ₨1,831 | + 36% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 6,777 ₨ (₨1,993) | ₨283 | + 605% | |
TOTAL | + 41% |

These prices were last updated on February 17, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.29416
INR
/
LKR
Cost of living in Sri Lanka is 41% more expensive than in India
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