Cost of living in Sri Lanka compared to Pakistan
Currency:
Food | + 98% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Sri Lanka is 98% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 2,631 ₨ (₨2,339) | ₨944 | + 148% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 2,765 ₨ (₨2,458) | ₨1,140 | + 116% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 901 ₨ (₨801) | ₨401 | + 100% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 485 ₨ (₨431) | ₨181 | + 138% | |
12 eggs, large | 623 ₨ (₨554) | ₨287 | + 93% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 517 ₨ (₨460) | ₨159 | + 190% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 2,175 ₨ (₨1,934) | ₨1,152 | + 68% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 898 ₨ (₨798) | ₨299 | + 167% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 355 ₨ (₨316) | ₨102 | + 211% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 568 ₨ (₨504) | ₨526 | - 4% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 6,359 ₨ (₨5,653) | ₨2,499 | + 126% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 401 ₨ (₨357) | ₨268 | + 33% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 264 ₨ (₨235) | ₨158 | + 48% | |
Housing | + 47% | |||
Housing in Sri Lanka is 47% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 348,682 ₨ (₨309,957) | ₨134,247 | + 131% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 78,935 ₨ (₨70,168) | ₨65,560 | + 7% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 19,481 ₨ (₨17,317) | ₨27,279 | - 37% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 114,403 ₨ (₨101,697) | ₨69,571 | + 46% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 75,789 ₨ (₨67,372) | ₨48,839 | + 38% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 23,171 ₨ (₨20,598) | ₨25,072 | - 18% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 3,223 ₨ (₨2,865) | ₨2,220 | + 29% | |
40” flat screen tv | 114,021 ₨ (₨101,358) | ₨71,861 | + 41% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 53,577 ₨ (₨47,626) | ₨27,957 | + 70% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 2,368 ₨ (₨2,105) | ₨1,360 | + 55% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 1,000 ₨ (₨889) | ₨1,526 | - 42% | |
Clothes | - 4% | |||
Clothes in Sri Lanka is about the same as in Pakistan | ||||
Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 7,007 ₨ (₨6,229) | ₨4,218 | + 48% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 4,778 ₨ (₨4,247) | ₨6,291 | - 32% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 21,337 ₨ (₨18,968) | ₨12,745 | + 49% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 16,573 ₨ (₨14,732) | ₨10,255 | + 44% | |
Transportation | + 75% | |||
Transportation in Sri Lanka is 75% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 18,612,500 ₨ (₨16,545,366) | ₨4,775,380 | + 246% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 355 ₨ (₨316) | ₨270 | + 17% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 3,615 ₨ (₨3,214) | ₨4,513 | - 29% | |
Personal Care | + 57% | |||
Personal Care in Sri Lanka is 57% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 2,499 ₨ (₨2,222) | ₨729 | + 205% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 1,086 ₨ (₨965) | ₨884 | + 9% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 4,000 ₨ (₨3,556) | ₨2,402 | + 48% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 1,314 ₨ (₨1,168) | ₨2,247 | - 48% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 862 ₨ (₨766) | ₨772 | - 1% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 972 ₨ (₨864) | ₨677 | + 28% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,415 ₨ (₨1,258) | ₨208 | + 504% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 306 ₨ (₨272) | ₨221 | + 23% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 1,877 ₨ (₨1,669) | ₨2,282 | - 27% | |
Entertainment | + 95% | |||
Entertainment in Sri Lanka is 95% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 3,399 ₨ (₨3,022) | ₨2,878 | + 5% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 1,340 ₨ (₨1,191) | ₨2,278 | - 48% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 5,883 ₨ (₨5,229) | ₨3,647 | + 43% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 8,087 ₨ (₨7,189) | ₨7,900 | - 9% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 7,041 ₨ (₨6,259) | ₨2,449 | + 156% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 873 ₨ (₨776) | ₨675 | + 15% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,070 ₨ (₨951) | ₨764 | + 25% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 259,143 ₨ (₨230,362) | ₨71,370 | + 223% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 6 ₨ (₨5.74) | ₨3.52 | + 63% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 8,065 ₨ (₨7,170) | ₨3,578 | + 100% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 5,907 ₨ (₨5,251) | ₨521 | + 908% | |
TOTAL | + 69% |

These prices were last updated on September 25, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.889
PKR
/
LKR
*
Cost of living in Sri Lanka is 69% more expensive than in Pakistan
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