South Asia

Cost of living in Sri Lanka

Capital: ColomboSinhala, Tamil, EnglishUpdated October 2026

27%of US price level

Is Sri Lanka expensive?

Prices in Sri Lanka are about 27% of US price levels (World Bank PPP). The most affordable place we cover is Trincomalee, at about $636–1,030 a month for a comfortable life.

Cost of living in Sri Lanka, by place

One person, rent included. SoloSquare estimates in US$.

Place	Month, comfortable	1-bed rent, center	Local meal	Value
Trincomalee	$636–1,030	$182–363	$1.8–3.9	89/100
Sigiriya	$666–1,090	—	$1.8–3.9	89/100
Hikkaduwa	$666–1,090	$212–424	$1.8–3.9	89/100
Negombo	$666–1,090	$212–424	$1.8–3.9	88/100
Nuwara Eliya	$696–1,120	—	$1.8–3.9	85/100
Weligama	$696–1,150	$242–484	$1.8–3.9	86/100
Arugam Bay	$696–1,150	—	$2.1–4.2	86/100
Jaffna	$696–1,150	$182–393	$1.5–3.0	87/100
Ella	$757–1,150	—	$2.1–4.2	87/100
Kandy	$757–1,150	$242–484	$1.8–3.6	87/100
Unawatuna	$726–1,180	$242–484	$2.1–4.2	84/100
Galle	$757–1,210	$242–454	$1.8–3.9	83/100
Hiriketiya	$757–1,270	$272–545	$2.1–4.2	81/100
Mirissa	$787–1,270	$272–545	$2.1–4.2	80/100
Ahangama	$787–1,270	$272–575	$2.1–4.2	80/100
Tangalle	$817–1,360	$212–454	$1.5–3.3	75/100
Colombo	$908–1,360	$363–757	$1.8–3.6	74/100
Bentota	$908–1,510	$272–605	$1.8–3.9	68/100

Cost of living by place

Sources

Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.