Cost of Living in Sri Lanka
The population of Sri Lanka is 21,444,000. The average cost of living in Sri Lanka is $822 and the median after-tax salary is $145.08
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Restaurants |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant |
1.37 $ |
|
|
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course |
10.94 $ |
|
|
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) |
3.28 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) |
1.09 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
1.64 $ |
|
|
Cappuccino (regular) |
1.31 $ |
|
|
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) |
0.35 $ |
|
|
Water (12 oz small bottle) |
0.18 $ |
|
|
Markets |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) |
1.08 $ |
|
|
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) |
0.47 $ |
|
|
Rice (white), (1 lb) |
0.62 $ |
|
|
Eggs (regular) (12) |
1.39 $ |
|
|
Local Cheese (1 lb) |
6.92 $ |
|
|
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) |
3.29 $ |
|
|
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) |
5.18 $ |
|
|
Apples (1 lb) |
3.21 $ |
|
|
Banana (1 lb) |
0.66 $ |
|
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
2.26 $ |
|
|
Tomato (1 lb) |
1.16 $ |
|
|
Potato (1 lb) |
0.91 $ |
|
|
Onion (1 lb) |
0.7 $ |
|
|
Lettuce (1 head) |
0.78 $ |
|
|
Water (1.5 liter bottle) |
0.36 $ |
|
|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
6.84 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
1.08 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
1.73 $ |
|
|
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) |
4.58 $ |
|
|
Transportation |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) |
0.14 $ |
|
|
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) |
4.1 $ |
|
|
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) |
0.27 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) |
0.22 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) |
0.37 $ |
|
|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
0.99 $ |
|
|
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) |
24616.67 $ |
|
|
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) |
28559.11 $ |
|
|
Utilities (Monthly) |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
23.57 $ |
|
|
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) |
0.01 $ |
|
|
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
9.01 $ |
|
|
Sports And Leisure |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult |
8.93 $ |
|
|
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) |
3.7 $ |
|
|
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat |
2.32 $ |
|
|
Childcare |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child |
26.62 $ |
|
|
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child |
504.53 $ |
|
|
Clothing And Shoes |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) |
19.61 $ |
|
|
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) |
12.0 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) |
40.13 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes |
22.94 $ |
|
|
Rent Per Month |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre |
188.54 $ |
|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre |
75.7 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre |
445.55 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre |
176.85 $ |
|
|
Buy Apartment Price |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre |
1407.96 $ |
|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre |
905.39 $ |
|
|
Salaries And Financing |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) |
145.08 $ |
|
|
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate |
15.12 % |
|
Sri Lanka
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
Sri Lanka is generally a safe country to visit. It is a country where you are unlikely to encounter violence, but you should be careful when it comes to petty crime because its rate is high. However, it is still filled with tourists, and if you venture to this country you are likely to have a smooth trip with no incidents.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
As mentioned, some taxis do not have meters so make sure you negotiate the price before entering the vehicle. It is relatively safe to take tuk-tuks at night, just be careful that you don't get ripped off.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
There is a great risk of pickpockets. In this country, you definitely shouldn't let your guard down. Avoid carrying your belongings with you, and if you do, never carry anything in your pocket or a purse.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
The greatest natural threat in Sri Lanka is flooding, tsunamis and sea level rises. These often generate disasters. The biggest tragedy caused by a tsunami in the past decade was in 2004 when the tsunami killed more than 5000 people.
MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
Mugging is relatively rare in Sri Lanka, but it does happen. There have been reports of criminals using knives to cut off tourists' bags. Avoid poorly lit and deserted areas and be wary of people sending you free drinks.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Sri Lankan military conflicts between Tamils and Sinhalese ended in 2009, and since then, there has been peace in this country. Still, you should remain vigilant and avoid military areas and High-Security Zones.
SCAMS RISK: HIGH
There is a number of scams performed in Sri Lanka, mostly distractions executed in order to separate you from your belongings or take advantage of you in another way. Many taxis do not have meters so be sure to negotiate the price of the ride before entering the vehicle, and do not use your credit card unless it's at established buildings and businesses.There is the common scam when taxi drivers suggest making a short stop to a so-called Spice Garden where they offer you fake Ayurveda medicines and cosmetics.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Sri Lanka is, generally speaking, safe for women travelers. Try avoiding dark alleys, walking alone along with dark, poorly lit or deserted areas, or finding yourself late at night in areas filled with bars or clubs as you might receive some unwanted attention. Apart from that, use your common sense and apply all basic precaution measures.
Visas
Visas for entering Sri Lanka are given upon arrival and most nationals do need one in order to enter Sri Lanka. This visa is initially limited to 30 days validity from the date of arrival although it may be extended for up to six months. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need a visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.
Currency
Sri Lanka rupee is the official currency of Sri Lanka. ATMs are available in most cities and larger towns and credit cards are accepted in most establishments such as restaurants and hotels.
Weather
Sri Lanka has a tropical climate characterized by very distinctive dry and wet seasons. The best time to visit the west and south coasts and the central region, where Kandy and Colombo are, is from December to March, while the best time to visit the east coast is from April/May to September.
Airports
Bandaranaike International Airport usually referred to as the Katunayake Airport and Colombo International Airport is the main international airport serving Sri Lanka. It is located about 20 miles north of Colombo.
Travel Insurance
Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Sri Lanka, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.