🇱🇰Cost of Living in Colombo
Sri Lanka · Population: 752,993 · Cost Index: 25/100
Cost of Living in Colombo
Sri Lanka · Asia
Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, a vibrant coastal city blending colonial architecture with modern high-rises. It offers affordable living, tropical weather, and rich cultural diversity with Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim influences.
752,993
Population
25
Cost Index
55
Safety Index
45
Quality of Life
Average Monthly Cost: $620 (single person, excluding rent)
Cost Breakdown
Housing
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$250.001-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$130.003-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$580.003-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$300.00Food & Groceries
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant(per meal)
$2.00Meal for 2 at Mid-Range Restaurant(per meal)
$15.00McMeal at McDonald's(per meal)
$4.50Milk (1 liter)(per liter)
$1.20Bread (500g loaf)(per loaf)
$0.70Rice (1 kg)(per kg)
$0.65Eggs (12)(per dozen)
$1.60Chicken Breast (1 kg)(per kg)
$3.50Apples (1 kg)(per kg)
$3.00Banana (1 kg)(per kg)
$0.50Transportation
Monthly Public Transit Pass(per month)
$18.00One-Way Ticket (Local Transport)(per trip)
$0.15Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)(base fare)
$0.50Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)(per km)
$0.30Gasoline (1 liter)(per liter)
$1.10Utilities
Basic Utilities (85m² Apartment)(per month)
$40.00Mobile Phone Plan(per month)
$5.00Internet (60 Mbps+)(per month)
$12.00Healthcare
Doctor Visit(per visit)
$10.00Dentist Visit(per visit)
$15.00Prescription Medicine (avg)(per prescription)
$4.00Entertainment
Fitness Club Monthly(per month)
$18.00Cinema Ticket(per ticket)
$3.00Cappuccino(per cup)
$2.00Beer (0.5l) at Restaurant(per glass)
$2.50Clothing
Pair of Jeans (Levi's)(per pair)
$28.00Summer Dress (Chain Store)(per item)
$16.00Running Shoes (Nike, Adidas)(per pair)
$52.00Compare Colombo with another city
See how Colombo stacks up against any other city in our database.
Quick Facts
- Currency
- LKR
- Language
- Sinhala
- Cost Index
- 25/100
- Safety Index
- 55/100
- Quality of Life
- 45/100
Data last updated: 2026-01-15. Prices are approximate and shown in USD.