Cost of living in Sri Lanka compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 49% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Sri Lanka is 49% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sri Lanka | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 1,606 ₨ ($5.36) | $21 | - 75% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 2,397 ₨ ($8) | $12 | - 33% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,005 ₨ ($3.36) | $5.85 | - 43% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 568 ₨ ($1.90) | $1.09 | + 73% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 625 ₨ ($2.09) | $5.52 | - 62% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 552 ₨ ($1.84) | $4.83 | - 62% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 2,691 ₨ ($9) | $8 | + 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2,038 ₨ ($7) | $4.24 | + 60% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 386 ₨ ($1.29) | $2.28 | - 44% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 655 ₨ ($2.19) | $3.63 | - 40% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 4,117 ₨ ($14) | $18 | - 24% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 469 ₨ ($1.57) | $2.95 | - 47% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 202 ₨ ($0.67) | $3.01 | - 78% | |
| Housing | - 60% | |||
| Housing in Sri Lanka is 60% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sri Lanka | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 226,974 ₨ ($758) | $3,085 | - 75% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 123,701 ₨ ($413) | $2,367 | - 83% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 67,172 ₨ ($224) | $231 | - 3% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 107,628 ₨ ($359) | $2,197 | - 84% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 405,518 ₨ ($1,354) | $1,612 | - 16% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 65,644 ₨ ($219) | $168 | + 31% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 4,867 ₨ ($16) | $61 | - 73% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 206,829 ₨ ($691) | $254 | + 172% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 54,540 ₨ ($182) | $156 | + 17% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,310 ₨ ($11) | $15 | - 26% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $34 | - | |
| Clothes | + 68% | |||
| Clothes in Sri Lanka is 68% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Sri Lanka | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 10,321 ₨ ($34) | $58 | - 40% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 45,061 ₨ ($150) | $51 | + 193% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 30,000 ₨ ($100) | $107 | - 7% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 16,945 ₨ ($57) | $140 | - 60% | |
| Transportation | - 30% | |||
| Transportation in Sri Lanka is 30% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sri Lanka | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 24,741,100 ₨ ($82,599) | $30,844 | + 168% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 354 ₨ ($1.18) | $0.94 | + 26% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 2,991 ₨ ($10) | $84 | - 88% | |
| Personal Care | - 65% | |||
| Personal Care in Sri Lanka is 65% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sri Lanka | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,000 ₨ ($3.34) | $9 | - 63% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 2,245 ₨ ($7) | $25 | - 70% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 6,273 ₨ ($21) | $169 | - 88% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 2,058 ₨ ($7) | $10 | - 29% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,189 ₨ ($3.97) | $5.33 | - 26% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 781 ₨ ($2.61) | $7 | - 63% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 789 ₨ ($2.63) | $5.01 | - 48% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 451 ₨ ($1.50) | $2.37 | - 36% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 1,736 ₨ ($5.80) | $31 | - 81% | |
| Entertainment | - 46% | |||
| Entertainment in Sri Lanka is 46% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sri Lanka | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 5,000 ₨ ($17) | $61 | - 73% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 2,182 ₨ ($7) | $30 | - 76% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 6,000 ₨ ($20) | $232 | - 91% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 11,252 ₨ ($38) | $106 | - 65% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 4,846 ₨ ($16) | $15 | + 9% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 1,714 ₨ ($5.72) | $5.97 | - 4% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,193 ₨ ($3.98) | $8 | - 47% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 150,000 ₨ ($501) | $456 | + 10% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.96 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 8,169 ₨ ($27) | $71 | - 62% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 4,153 ₨ ($14) | $11 | + 24% | |
| TOTAL | - 45% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 16,266 prices entered by 1,870 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00334
USD
/
LKR
Cost of living in Sri Lanka is 45% cheaper than in United States
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