Cost of living in Sri Lanka compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 60% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Sri Lanka is 60% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 528 ₨ ($2.68) | $15 | - 82% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 838 ₨ ($4.25) | $8 | - 48% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 422 ₨ ($2.15) | $4.26 | - 50% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 203 ₨ ($1.03) | $0.88 | + 18% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 249 ₨ ($1.27) | $2.88 | - 56% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 215 ₨ ($1.09) | $4.17 | - 74% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 1,249 ₨ ($6) | $6 | + 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 371 ₨ ($1.89) | $3.44 | - 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 161 ₨ ($0.82) | $1.76 | - 53% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 273 ₨ ($1.39) | $3.11 | - 55% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 2,290 ₨ ($12) | $14 | - 18% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 276 ₨ ($1.40) | $1.99 | - 29% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 107 ₨ ($0.54) | $2.18 | - 75% | |
| Housing | - 65% | |||
| Housing in Sri Lanka is 65% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 155,602 ₨ ($790) | $2,191 | - 64% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 57,296 ₨ ($291) | $1,577 | - 82% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 26,462 ₨ ($134) | $180 | - 25% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 96,524 ₨ ($490) | $1,543 | - 68% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 34,748 ₨ ($177) | $1,144 | - 85% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 3,051 ₨ ($15) | $112 | - 86% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 3,334 ₨ ($17) | $52 | - 68% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 50,048 ₨ ($254) | $273 | - 7% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 24,717 ₨ ($126) | $127 | - 1% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 946 ₨ ($4.80) | $11 | - 55% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $22 | - | |
| Clothes | - 35% | |||
| Clothes in Sri Lanka is 35% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 5,657 ₨ ($29) | $47 | - 39% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 5,977 ₨ ($30) | $42 | - 29% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 12,229 ₨ ($62) | $86 | - 28% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 7,308 ₨ ($37) | $107 | - 65% | |
| Transportation | - 42% | |||
| Transportation in Sri Lanka is 42% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 6,174,170 ₨ ($31,365) | $23,511 | + 33% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 143 ₨ ($0.73) | $0.66 | + 10% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 3,441 ₨ ($17) | $74 | - 76% | |
| Personal Care | - 69% | |||
| Personal Care in Sri Lanka is 69% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 597 ₨ ($3.03) | $7 | - 56% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 311 ₨ ($1.58) | $16 | - 90% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,714 ₨ ($14) | $111 | - 88% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 653 ₨ ($3.32) | $7 | - 50% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 465 ₨ ($2.36) | $3.45 | - 32% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 549 ₨ ($2.79) | $4.87 | - 43% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 307 ₨ ($1.56) | $3.65 | - 57% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 170 ₨ ($0.86) | $1.82 | - 52% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 658 ₨ ($3.34) | $22 | - 85% | |
| Entertainment | - 56% | |||
| Entertainment in Sri Lanka is 56% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 2,263 ₨ ($11) | $47 | - 75% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 1,277 ₨ ($6) | $25 | - 74% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 3,902 ₨ ($20) | $198 | - 90% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 5,346 ₨ ($27) | $78 | - 65% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 1,864 ₨ ($9) | $12 | - 23% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 555 ₨ ($2.82) | $4.94 | - 43% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 252 ₨ ($1.28) | $5.64 | - 77% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 105,394 ₨ ($535) | $425 | + 26% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 23 ₨ ($0.12) | $0.25 | - 52% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 3,778 ₨ ($19) | $49 | - 61% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,254 ₨ ($6) | $8 | - 24% | |
| TOTAL | - 57% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 32,196 prices entered by 4,218 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 05, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00508
USD
/
LKR
Cost of living in Sri Lanka is 57% cheaper than in United States
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