MigrantoCost of living in Sri Lanka
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries, and where the money goes
Monthly cost in Sri Lanka
Spending runs from LKR 31,900 a month in the poorest fifth to LKR 196,000 in the richest
Per person, whole country
LKR 67,500
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
LKR 31,900richest 20%
LKR 196,000
Where people spend money in Sri Lanka
One person's out-of-pocket spending, averaged across the whole country
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Key facts
The cost of living in Sri Lanka in numbers
Transport takes an unusual share of the budget
It absorbs 28.6% of spending here, or LKR 19,300 a month, against 11.3% in a typical country, 17.3 points more.
Among the cheapest countries in the world
Cheaper than 89% of countries. A basket that costs LKR 332,000 at world-middle prices costs LKR 217,000 here.
How living costs in Sri Lanka compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in Sri Lanka against other countries
Cheaper than 89% of countries
Where Sri Lanka sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs LKR 332,000 at world-middle prices costs LKR 217,000 here.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2023 (United Nations Statistics Division), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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What it costs to live in Sri Lanka
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Cost of living in Sri Lanka
LKR 31,900/mo
vs LKR 266,000 in your country
Take-home
LKR 44,300
vs LKR 399,000 in your country
Potential savings
LKR 12,400
more than in your country
Standard of living
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Sri Lanka?
A typical person in Sri Lanka spends about LKR 67,500 a month — around LKR 810,000 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in Sri Lanka?
By spending, Sri Lanka ranks #122 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about LKR 67,500 a month, the poorest 20% about LKR 31,900 and the richest 20% about LKR 196,000. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in Sri Lanka in US dollars?
The cost of living in Sri Lanka is about $203 a month, or roughly $2,436 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Sri Lanka?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about LKR 31,900 a month per person, a typical one around LKR 67,500, and a comfortable life around LKR 89,400. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in Sri Lanka?
The biggest expense is groceries, at about LKR 19,300 a month (29% of spending). Then come transport (LKR 19,300, 29%) and clothing (LKR 5,320, 8%).
Is the average salary in Sri Lanka enough to live on?
Usually not quite. Average spending is about LKR 67,500 a month, while the average take-home pay in Sri Lanka is about LKR 48,900. For more on incomes, see salaries in Sri Lanka.
Is Sri Lanka an expensive country to live in?
Somewhat. Sri Lanka is more expensive than 34% of countries worldwide and ranks 16th of 27 in Asia by cost of living.
What currency is used in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka uses the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
Where to live?
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Living in Sri Lanka
See the full country overview