Cost of living in Sri Lanka compared to India
Currency:
Food | - 0% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Sri Lanka is about the same as in India | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 480 ₨ (₨181) | ₨370 | - 51% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 782 ₨ (₨295) | ₨294 | + 0% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 431 ₨ (₨163) | ₨143 | + 14% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 206 ₨ (₨78) | ₨52 | + 49% | |
12 eggs, large | 292 ₨ (₨110) | ₨73 | + 50% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 193 ₨ (₨73) | ₨36 | + 101% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 1,120 ₨ (₨422) | ₨227 | + 86% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 371 ₨ (₨140) | ₨140 | + 0% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 160 ₨ (₨60) | ₨31 | + 95% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 273 ₨ (₨103) | ₨132 | - 22% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 2,290 ₨ (₨864) | ₨773 | + 12% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 276 ₨ (₨104) | ₨85 | + 22% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 92 ₨ (₨35) | ₨36 | - 3% | |
Housing | + 43% | |||
Housing in Sri Lanka is 43% more expensive than in India | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 144,313 ₨ (₨54,432) | ₨33,366 | + 63% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 51,510 ₨ (₨19,428) | ₨19,918 | - 2% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 19,294 ₨ (₨7,277) | ₨4,363 | + 67% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 101,229 ₨ (₨38,182) | ₨19,026 | + 101% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 51,428 ₨ (₨19,398) | ₨12,499 | + 55% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 5,094 ₨ (₨1,922) | ₨3,334 | - 42% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 3,334 ₨ (₨1,257) | ₨676 | + 86% | |
40” flat screen tv | 50,048 ₨ (₨18,877) | ₨29,555 | - 36% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 24,717 ₨ (₨9,323) | ₨10,444 | - 11% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 946 ₨ (₨357) | ₨411 | - 13% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ₨211 | - | |
Clothes | - 6% | |||
Clothes in Sri Lanka is 6% cheaper than in India | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 5,448 ₨ (₨2,055) | ₨2,314 | - 11% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 6,204 ₨ (₨2,340) | ₨2,579 | - 9% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 11,641 ₨ (₨4,391) | ₨3,601 | + 22% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 7,186 ₨ (₨2,710) | ₨2,719 | - 0% | |
Transportation | + 36% | |||
Transportation in Sri Lanka is 36% more expensive than in India | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 6,174,170 ₨ (₨2,328,777) | ₨918,724 | + 153% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 143 ₨ (₨54) | ₨80 | - 32% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 3,441 ₨ (₨1,298) | ₨1,164 | + 11% | |
Personal Care | - 0% | |||
Personal Care in Sri Lanka is about the same as in India | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 597 ₨ (₨225) | ₨100 | + 124% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 311 ₨ (₨117) | ₨212 | - 45% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,714 ₨ (₨1,024) | ₨624 | + 64% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 653 ₨ (₨246) | ₨316 | - 22% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 465 ₨ (₨175) | ₨161 | + 9% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 549 ₨ (₨207) | ₨254 | - 19% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 307 ₨ (₨116) | ₨140 | - 18% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 170 ₨ (₨64) | ₨68 | - 6% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 658 ₨ (₨248) | ₨239 | + 4% | |
Entertainment | + 4% | |||
Entertainment in Sri Lanka is about the same as in India | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 2,128 ₨ (₨803) | ₨1,175 | - 32% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 1,211 ₨ (₨457) | ₨473 | - 3% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 3,902 ₨ (₨1,472) | ₨1,631 | - 10% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 5,444 ₨ (₨2,053) | ₨1,624 | + 26% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 1,864 ₨ (₨703) | ₨568 | + 24% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 487 ₨ (₨184) | ₨193 | - 5% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 302 ₨ (₨114) | ₨191 | - 40% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 105,394 ₨ (₨39,753) | ₨36,202 | + 10% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 23 ₨ (₨9) | ₨5.27 | + 66% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 2,722 ₨ (₨1,027) | ₨1,577 | - 35% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,254 ₨ (₨473) | ₨271 | + 74% | |
TOTAL | + 20% |

These prices were last updated on March 02, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.37718
INR
/
LKR
Cost of living in Sri Lanka is 20% more expensive than in India
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