Cost of living in Sri Lanka compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 16% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Sri Lanka is 16% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Sri Lanka | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 1,606 ₨ (¥776) | ¥1,035 | - 25% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 2,397 ₨ (¥1,159) | ¥840 | + 38% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,005 ₨ (¥486) | ¥618 | - 21% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 568 ₨ (¥275) | ¥237 | + 16% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 625 ₨ (¥302) | ¥335 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 552 ₨ (¥267) | ¥439 | - 39% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 2,691 ₨ (¥1,301) | ¥1,195 | + 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2,038 ₨ (¥985) | ¥822 | + 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 386 ₨ (¥186) | ¥509 | - 63% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 655 ₨ (¥317) | ¥303 | + 5% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 4,117 ₨ (¥1,991) | ¥1,267 | + 57% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 469 ₨ (¥227) | ¥276 | - 18% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 202 ₨ (¥98) | ¥293 | - 67% | |
| Housing | - 36% | |||
| Housing in Sri Lanka is 36% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Sri Lanka | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 226,974 ₨ (¥109,744) | ¥365,082 | - 70% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 123,701 ₨ (¥59,811) | ¥201,500 | - 70% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 67,172 ₨ (¥32,478) | ¥19,132 | + 70% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 107,628 ₨ (¥52,039) | ¥145,654 | - 64% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 405,518 ₨ (¥196,072) | ¥102,459 | + 91% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 65,644 ₨ (¥31,739) | ¥8,349 | + 280% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 4,867 ₨ (¥2,353) | ¥4,448 | - 47% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 206,829 ₨ (¥100,004) | ¥74,559 | + 34% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 54,540 ₨ (¥26,371) | ¥25,414 | + 4% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,310 ₨ (¥1,600) | ¥1,338 | + 20% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥2,815 | - | |
| Clothes | + 116% | |||
| Clothes in Sri Lanka is 116% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Sri Lanka | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 10,321 ₨ (¥4,990) | ¥9,315 | - 46% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 45,061 ₨ (¥21,787) | ¥5,103 | + 327% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 30,000 ₨ (¥14,505) | ¥9,892 | + 47% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 16,945 ₨ (¥8,193) | ¥12,189 | - 33% | |
| Transportation | - 5% | |||
| Transportation in Sri Lanka is 5% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Sri Lanka | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 24,741,100 ₨ (¥11,962,550) | ¥3,060,780 | + 291% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 354 ₨ (¥171) | ¥169 | + 1% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 2,991 ₨ (¥1,446) | ¥8,198 | - 82% | |
| Personal Care | - 41% | |||
| Personal Care in Sri Lanka is 41% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Sri Lanka | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,000 ₨ (¥484) | ¥2,133 | - 77% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 2,245 ₨ (¥1,086) | ¥2,551 | - 57% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 6,273 ₨ (¥3,033) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 2,058 ₨ (¥995) | ¥1,337 | - 26% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,189 ₨ (¥575) | ¥930 | - 38% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 781 ₨ (¥378) | ¥622 | - 39% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 789 ₨ (¥381) | ¥224 | + 70% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 451 ₨ (¥218) | ¥188 | + 16% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 1,736 ₨ (¥839) | ¥4,604 | - 82% | |
| Entertainment | - 16% | |||
| Entertainment in Sri Lanka is 16% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Sri Lanka | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 5,000 ₨ (¥2,418) | ¥4,908 | - 51% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 2,182 ₨ (¥1,055) | ¥3,881 | - 73% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 6,000 ₨ (¥2,901) | ¥7,212 | - 60% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 11,252 ₨ (¥5,440) | ¥8,269 | - 34% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 4,846 ₨ (¥2,343) | ¥1,244 | + 88% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 1,714 ₨ (¥829) | ¥547 | + 52% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,193 ₨ (¥577) | ¥674 | - 14% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 150,000 ₨ (¥72,526) | ¥51,659 | + 40% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥52 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 8,169 ₨ (¥3,950) | ¥9,530 | - 59% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 4,153 ₨ (¥2,008) | ¥613 | + 228% | |
| TOTAL | - 15% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 622 prices entered by 118 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.48351
JPY
/
LKR
Cost of living in Sri Lanka is 15% cheaper than in Japan
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