Cost of living in Sri Lanka compared to India
Currency:
| Food | + 6% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Sri Lanka is 6% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 416 ₨ (₨165) | ₨390 | - 58% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 752 ₨ (₨297) | ₨281 | + 6% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 396 ₨ (₨156) | ₨140 | + 12% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 210 ₨ (₨83) | ₨52 | + 59% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 287 ₨ (₨113) | ₨72 | + 57% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 187 ₨ (₨74) | ₨37 | + 100% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 723 ₨ (₨286) | ₨213 | + 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 396 ₨ (₨156) | ₨141 | + 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 150 ₨ (₨59) | ₨28 | + 110% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 311 ₨ (₨123) | ₨127 | - 3% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 2,701 ₨ (₨1,067) | ₨817 | + 31% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 288 ₨ (₨114) | ₨84 | + 35% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 82 ₨ (₨33) | ₨35 | - 8% | |
| Housing | + 34% | |||
| Housing in Sri Lanka is 34% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 124,292 ₨ (₨49,103) | ₨31,113 | + 58% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 60,207 ₨ (₨23,786) | ₨20,117 | + 18% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 12,930 ₨ (₨5,108) | ₨4,307 | + 19% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 108,005 ₨ (₨42,669) | ₨23,419 | + 82% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 61,062 ₨ (₨24,123) | ₨13,598 | + 77% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 9,350 ₨ (₨3,694) | ₨3,303 | + 12% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 2,093 ₨ (₨827) | ₨741 | + 12% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 73,438 ₨ (₨29,013) | ₨30,160 | - 4% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 19,755 ₨ (₨7,805) | ₨10,528 | - 26% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,004 ₨ (₨396) | ₨379 | + 5% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 444 ₨ (₨175) | ₨306 | - 43% | |
| Clothes | - 13% | |||
| Clothes in Sri Lanka is 13% cheaper than in India | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 4,986 ₨ (₨1,970) | ₨2,349 | - 16% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 5,535 ₨ (₨2,187) | ₨2,531 | - 14% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 9,218 ₨ (₨3,642) | ₨3,763 | - 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 5,748 ₨ (₨2,271) | ₨2,826 | - 20% | |
| Transportation | + 25% | |||
| Transportation in Sri Lanka is 25% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 5,750,740 ₨ (₨2,271,911) | ₨931,795 | + 144% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 147 ₨ (₨58) | ₨76 | - 24% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 2,222 ₨ (₨878) | ₨1,223 | - 28% | |
| Personal Care | + 12% | |||
| Personal Care in Sri Lanka is 12% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 487 ₨ (₨192) | ₨107 | + 80% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 899 ₨ (₨355) | ₨210 | + 69% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,767 ₨ (₨1,093) | ₨959 | + 14% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 710 ₨ (₨280) | ₨255 | + 10% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 554 ₨ (₨219) | ₨173 | + 26% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 576 ₨ (₨227) | ₨241 | - 5% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 327 ₨ (₨129) | ₨151 | - 14% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 170 ₨ (₨67) | ₨69 | - 3% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 759 ₨ (₨300) | ₨240 | + 25% | |
| Entertainment | + 21% | |||
| Entertainment in Sri Lanka is 21% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 2,567 ₨ (₨1,014) | ₨1,182 | - 14% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 1,223 ₨ (₨483) | ₨467 | + 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 3,980 ₨ (₨1,572) | ₨1,718 | - 8% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 4,482 ₨ (₨1,770) | ₨1,929 | - 8% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 2,130 ₨ (₨842) | ₨692 | + 22% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 546 ₨ (₨216) | ₨217 | - 1% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 472 ₨ (₨186) | ₨225 | - 17% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 99,532 ₨ (₨39,321) | ₨34,583 | + 14% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 35 ₨ (₨14) | ₨3.67 | + 273% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 4,091 ₨ (₨1,616) | ₨1,938 | - 17% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,202 ₨ (₨475) | ₨241 | + 97% | |
| TOTAL | + 18% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 19,435 prices entered by 2,355 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 26, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.39506
INR
/
LKR
Cost of living in Sri Lanka is 18% more expensive than in India
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