Cost of living in Sri Lanka compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 51% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Sri Lanka is 51% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sri Lanka | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 1,040 ₨ ($3.50) | $19 | - 81% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 1,215 ₨ ($4.08) | $10 | - 59% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 824 ₨ ($2.77) | $5.95 | - 53% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 446 ₨ ($1.50) | $1.09 | + 37% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 988 ₨ ($3.32) | $4.92 | - 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 373 ₨ ($1.25) | $4.81 | - 74% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,066 ₨ ($10) | $7 | + 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,648 ₨ ($5.54) | $4.70 | + 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 295 ₨ ($0.99) | $2.55 | - 61% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 568 ₨ ($1.91) | $3.06 | - 38% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 6,359 ₨ ($21) | $16 | + 36% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 416 ₨ ($1.40) | $2.74 | - 49% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 161 ₨ ($0.54) | $3.08 | - 82% | |
| Housing | - 75% | |||
| Housing in Sri Lanka is 75% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sri Lanka | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 231,464 ₨ ($778) | $3,012 | - 74% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 112,525 ₨ ($378) | $2,224 | - 83% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 38,378 ₨ ($129) | $219 | - 41% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 114,403 ₨ ($385) | $1,967 | - 80% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 75,789 ₨ ($255) | $1,475 | - 83% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 23,171 ₨ ($78) | $147 | - 47% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 3,025 ₨ ($10) | $64 | - 84% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 178,797 ₨ ($601) | $284 | + 111% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 52,511 ₨ ($177) | $132 | + 33% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,059 ₨ ($10) | $13 | - 24% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 1,000 ₨ ($3.36) | $30 | - 89% | |
| Clothes | - 36% | |||
| Clothes in Sri Lanka is 36% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sri Lanka | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 14,343 ₨ ($48) | $54 | - 11% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 7,686 ₨ ($26) | $44 | - 42% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 21,337 ₨ ($72) | $93 | - 23% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 16,573 ₨ ($56) | $120 | - 54% | |
| Transportation | - 26% | |||
| Transportation in Sri Lanka is 26% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sri Lanka | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 18,612,500 ₨ ($62,570) | $27,658 | + 126% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 392 ₨ ($1.32) | $1.06 | + 25% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 6,289 ₨ ($21) | $83 | - 74% | |
| Personal Care | - 67% | |||
| Personal Care in Sri Lanka is 67% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sri Lanka | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 325 ₨ ($1.09) | $8 | - 86% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 1,671 ₨ ($5.62) | $20 | - 72% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 3,009 ₨ ($10) | $137 | - 93% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 1,314 ₨ ($4.42) | $8 | - 46% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 862 ₨ ($2.90) | $4.91 | - 41% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 903 ₨ ($3.04) | $6 | - 51% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,009 ₨ ($3.39) | $4.81 | - 29% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 244 ₨ ($0.82) | $2.19 | - 63% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 1,513 ₨ ($5.09) | $27 | - 81% | |
| Entertainment | - 39% | |||
| Entertainment in Sri Lanka is 39% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sri Lanka | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 7,964 ₨ ($27) | $55 | - 51% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 1,894 ₨ ($6) | $28 | - 77% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 5,883 ₨ ($20) | $196 | - 90% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 16,261 ₨ ($55) | $88 | - 38% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 7,041 ₨ ($24) | $14 | + 71% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 873 ₨ ($2.93) | $5.21 | - 44% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,070 ₨ ($3.60) | $6 | - 43% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 259,143 ₨ ($871) | $578 | + 51% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 6 ₨ ($0.02) | $0.20 | - 90% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 8,065 ₨ ($27) | $59 | - 54% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,799 ₨ ($9) | $10 | - 8% | |
| TOTAL | - 53% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 22,405 prices entered by 2,864 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 27, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00336
USD
/
LKR
Cost of living in Sri Lanka is 53% cheaper than in United States
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