Cost of living in Sri Lanka compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 58% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Sri Lanka is 58% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 423 ₨ ($2.28) | $15 | - 84% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 764 ₨ ($4.11) | $8 | - 48% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 394 ₨ ($2.12) | $4.32 | - 51% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 220 ₨ ($1.19) | $0.88 | + 35% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 292 ₨ ($1.57) | $2.98 | - 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 164 ₨ ($0.88) | $4.01 | - 78% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 731 ₨ ($3.93) | $6 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 395 ₨ ($2.12) | $3.36 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 156 ₨ ($0.84) | $1.77 | - 52% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 314 ₨ ($1.69) | $3.15 | - 47% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 2,537 ₨ ($14) | $14 | - 6% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 293 ₨ ($1.57) | $1.94 | - 19% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 91 ₨ ($0.49) | $2.04 | - 76% | |
| Housing | - 71% | |||
| Housing in Sri Lanka is 71% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 143,438 ₨ ($771) | $2,269 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 64,748 ₨ ($348) | $1,629 | - 79% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 7,744 ₨ ($42) | $177 | - 76% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 101,229 ₨ ($544) | $1,625 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 51,428 ₨ ($277) | $1,155 | - 76% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 5,094 ₨ ($27) | $109 | - 75% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 2,293 ₨ ($12) | $47 | - 74% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 72,787 ₨ ($391) | $298 | + 32% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 18,973 ₨ ($102) | $118 | - 13% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 927 ₨ ($4.99) | $11 | - 54% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 444 ₨ ($2.39) | $22 | - 89% | |
| Clothes | - 39% | |||
| Clothes in Sri Lanka is 39% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 5,522 ₨ ($30) | $49 | - 39% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 5,316 ₨ ($29) | $45 | - 36% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 10,871 ₨ ($58) | $86 | - 32% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 8,337 ₨ ($45) | $112 | - 60% | |
| Transportation | - 49% | |||
| Transportation in Sri Lanka is 49% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 5,655,940 ₨ ($30,420) | $22,992 | + 32% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 149 ₨ ($0.80) | $0.75 | + 7% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 2,237 ₨ ($12) | $81 | - 85% | |
| Personal Care | - 66% | |||
| Personal Care in Sri Lanka is 66% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 494 ₨ ($2.66) | $7 | - 63% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 781 ₨ ($4.20) | $20 | - 79% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,818 ₨ ($15) | $110 | - 86% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 653 ₨ ($3.51) | $7 | - 47% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 465 ₨ ($2.50) | $3.55 | - 30% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 549 ₨ ($2.95) | $5.08 | - 42% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 307 ₨ ($1.65) | $3.57 | - 54% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 170 ₨ ($0.91) | $1.83 | - 50% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 658 ₨ ($3.54) | $21 | - 83% | |
| Entertainment | - 49% | |||
| Entertainment in Sri Lanka is 49% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 2,128 ₨ ($11) | $45 | - 75% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 1,211 ₨ ($7) | $24 | - 73% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 4,624 ₨ ($25) | $223 | - 89% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 4,594 ₨ ($25) | $74 | - 67% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 2,519 ₨ ($14) | $12 | + 14% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 520 ₨ ($2.80) | $4.82 | - 42% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 363 ₨ ($1.95) | $5.81 | - 66% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 105,394 ₨ ($567) | $395 | + 44% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 23 ₨ ($0.12) | $0.19 | - 33% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 4,044 ₨ ($22) | $52 | - 59% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,288 ₨ ($7) | $8 | - 14% | |
| TOTAL | - 60% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 43,983 prices entered by 5,590 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 03, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.00538
USD
/
LKR
Cost of living in Sri Lanka is 60% cheaper than in United States
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