Cost of living in Sri Lanka compared to Pakistan
Currency:
| Food | + 94% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Sri Lanka is 94% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
| Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 1,606 ₨ (₨1,519) | ₨1,155 | + 31% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 2,397 ₨ (₨2,266) | ₨1,180 | + 92% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,005 ₨ (₨951) | ₨523 | + 82% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 568 ₨ (₨537) | ₨231 | + 133% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 625 ₨ (₨591) | ₨309 | + 91% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 552 ₨ (₨522) | ₨165 | + 215% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 2,691 ₨ (₨2,545) | ₨836 | + 204% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2,038 ₨ (₨1,927) | ₨279 | + 591% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 386 ₨ (₨365) | ₨128 | + 185% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 655 ₨ (₨619) | ₨391 | + 58% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 4,117 ₨ (₨3,893) | ₨2,624 | + 48% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 469 ₨ (₨443) | ₨210 | + 111% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 202 ₨ (₨191) | ₨153 | + 24% | |
| Housing | + 119% | |||
| Housing in Sri Lanka is 119% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
| Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 226,974 ₨ (₨214,632) | ₨137,741 | + 56% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 123,701 ₨ (₨116,974) | ₨58,708 | + 99% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 67,172 ₨ (₨63,519) | ₨21,580 | + 194% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 107,628 ₨ (₨101,775) | ₨79,067 | + 29% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 405,518 ₨ (₨383,467) | ₨35,699 | + 974% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 65,644 ₨ (₨62,074) | ₨17,044 | + 264% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 4,867 ₨ (₨4,602) | ₨2,308 | + 99% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 206,829 ₨ (₨195,582) | ₨58,431 | + 235% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 54,540 ₨ (₨51,574) | ₨29,384 | + 76% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,310 ₨ (₨3,130) | ₨1,281 | + 144% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ₨625 | - | |
| Clothes | + 259% | |||
| Clothes in Sri Lanka is 259% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
| Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 10,321 ₨ (₨9,760) | ₨4,832 | + 102% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 45,061 ₨ (₨42,611) | ₨9,004 | + 373% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 30,000 ₨ (₨28,369) | ₨13,089 | + 117% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 16,945 ₨ (₨16,023) | ₨13,255 | + 21% | |
| Transportation | + 129% | |||
| Transportation in Sri Lanka is 129% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
| Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 24,741,100 ₨ (₨23,395,725) | ₨2,800,000 | + 736% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 354 ₨ (₨335) | ₨272 | + 23% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 2,991 ₨ (₨2,828) | ₨4,030 | - 30% | |
| Personal Care | + 93% | |||
| Personal Care in Sri Lanka is 93% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
| Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,000 ₨ (₨946) | ₨230 | + 312% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 2,245 ₨ (₨2,123) | ₨838 | + 153% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 6,400 ₨ (₨6,052) | ₨3,307 | + 83% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 2,058 ₨ (₨1,946) | ₨1,222 | + 59% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,189 ₨ (₨1,124) | ₨649 | + 73% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 781 ₨ (₨739) | ₨557 | + 32% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 789 ₨ (₨746) | ₨396 | + 88% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 451 ₨ (₨426) | ₨217 | + 96% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 1,736 ₨ (₨1,642) | ₨495 | + 232% | |
| Entertainment | + 34% | |||
| Entertainment in Sri Lanka is 34% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
| Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 5,000 ₨ (₨4,728) | ₨3,859 | + 23% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 2,182 ₨ (₨2,063) | ₨1,827 | + 13% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 6,000 ₨ (₨5,674) | ₨6,844 | - 17% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 11,252 ₨ (₨10,640) | ₨8,435 | + 26% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 4,846 ₨ (₨4,583) | ₨2,877 | + 59% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 1,714 ₨ (₨1,620) | ₨566 | + 186% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,193 ₨ (₨1,129) | ₨803 | + 41% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 150,000 ₨ (₨141,843) | ₨149,999 | - 5% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ₨255 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 8,169 ₨ (₨7,725) | ₨5,226 | + 48% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 4,136 ₨ (₨3,911) | ₨637 | + 514% | |
| TOTAL | + 110% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 611 prices entered by 179 different people.
These prices were last updated on July 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.946
PKR
/
LKR
*
Cost of living in Sri Lanka is 110% more expensive than in Pakistan
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