🇱🇰Cost of Living in Sri Lanka
Compare the cost of living across 2 cities in Sri Lanka.
The cost of living in Sri Lanka is tracked across 2 cities, with an average cost of living index of 23 out of 100, where New York City scores 100. Colombo is the most expensive city and Kandy the most affordable. Explore each city below for a full cost breakdown.
Estimated monthly budget in Sri Lanka
Typical total monthly cost by household type.
Estimates based on the average cost of living in Sri Lanka, scaled by household size. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighbourhood and housing.
Colombo
Sri Lanka's commercial capital, a tropical port city blending colonial heritage with modern development at very affordable prices.
Cost Index
25
Monthly Cost
$620
Kandy
Kandy is Sri Lanka's cultural capital nestled in the central highlands, home to the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic and surrounded by lush tea plantations. It offers an even lower cost of living than Colombo with a cooler climate and rich Buddhist heritage.
Cost Index
20
Monthly Cost
$480
Frequently asked questions about the cost of living in Sri Lanka
What is the cost of living in Sri Lanka?
What is the most expensive city in Sri Lanka?
What is the cheapest city in Sri Lanka?
Data & sources
As an independent cross-check, the World Bank puts the overall price level in Sri Lanka at 25 relative to the United States (=100) in 2023. View source
Cost figures on this site are independent estimates, cross-referenced with public data sources including World Bank, Numbeo, Eurostat, OECD.