Cost of living in Sri Lanka compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 76% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Sri Lanka is 76% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sri Lanka | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 695 ₨ ($1.99) | $17 | - 88% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 932 ₨ ($2.67) | $9 | - 71% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 511 ₨ ($1.46) | $5.06 | - 71% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 272 ₨ ($0.78) | $0.99 | - 21% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 340 ₨ ($0.97) | $3.35 | - 71% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 257 ₨ ($0.74) | $4.43 | - 83% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 1,162 ₨ ($3.33) | $7 | - 52% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 840 ₨ ($2.40) | $3.91 | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 215 ₨ ($0.61) | $1.94 | - 68% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 310 ₨ ($0.89) | $3.28 | - 73% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 2,763 ₨ ($8) | $16 | - 50% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 251 ₨ ($0.72) | $2.26 | - 68% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 86 ₨ ($0.25) | $2.46 | - 90% | |
| Housing | - 86% | |||
| Housing in Sri Lanka is 86% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sri Lanka | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 111,510 ₨ ($319) | $2,515 | - 87% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 100,478 ₨ ($288) | $1,957 | - 85% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 20,184 ₨ ($58) | $204 | - 72% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 105,628 ₨ ($302) | $1,778 | - 83% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 52,005 ₨ ($149) | $1,342 | - 89% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 3,776 ₨ ($11) | $139 | - 92% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,441 ₨ ($4.12) | $56 | - 93% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 81,569 ₨ ($234) | $297 | - 22% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 31,964 ₨ ($92) | $135 | - 32% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,036 ₨ ($2.96) | $12 | - 76% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 405 ₨ ($1.16) | $26 | - 96% | |
| Clothes | - 66% | |||
| Clothes in Sri Lanka is 66% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sri Lanka | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 5,330 ₨ ($15) | $51 | - 70% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 6,315 ₨ ($18) | $46 | - 61% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 12,534 ₨ ($36) | $92 | - 61% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 5,781 ₨ ($17) | $120 | - 86% | |
| Transportation | - 79% | |||
| Transportation in Sri Lanka is 79% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sri Lanka | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 3,000,000 ₨ ($8,588) | $25,474 | - 66% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 191 ₨ ($0.55) | $1.06 | - 48% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 2,223 ₨ ($6) | $77 | - 92% | |
| Personal Care | - 84% | |||
| Personal Care in Sri Lanka is 84% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sri Lanka | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 100 ₨ ($0.29) | $7 | - 96% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | $19 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,000 ₨ ($5.73) | $125 | - 95% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 1,000 ₨ ($2.86) | $7 | - 62% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 196 ₨ ($0.56) | $4.17 | - 87% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 505 ₨ ($1.45) | $5.50 | - 74% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 143 ₨ ($0.41) | $4.18 | - 90% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 133 ₨ ($0.38) | $2.05 | - 81% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 719 ₨ ($2.06) | $25 | - 92% | |
| Entertainment | - 64% | |||
| Entertainment in Sri Lanka is 64% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sri Lanka | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 2,111 ₨ ($6) | $49 | - 88% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 1,650 ₨ ($4.72) | $27 | - 82% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,000 ₨ ($5.73) | $196 | - 97% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 4,719 ₨ ($14) | $83 | - 84% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 1,728 ₨ ($4.95) | $13 | - 61% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 834 ₨ ($2.39) | $5.19 | - 54% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 350 ₨ ($1.00) | $6 | - 84% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 150,000 ₨ ($429) | $499 | - 14% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.17 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 5,061 ₨ ($14) | $53 | - 73% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,645 ₨ ($4.71) | $9 | - 48% | |
| TOTAL | - 79% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 16,442 prices entered by 2,656 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 18, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.00286
USD
/
LKR
Cost of living in Sri Lanka is 79% cheaper than in United States
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Angola is 15% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in United States
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in United States
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 38% more expensive than in United States
- Cost of living in Albania is 53% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in United States
- Cost of living in Argentina is 53% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Armenia is 58% cheaper than in United States