Cost of Living & Quality of Life in Sri Lanka (2026)
What everyday life costs in Sri Lanka — rent, utilities, eating out, transport and schooling — and how it scores on safety, health care, pollution and climate compared with Southern Asia.
- Quality of Life Index
- 76.9
- 2024
- Safety Index
- 57.9
- 2024
- Health Care Index
- 71.1
- 2024
- Rent: 1-bedroom, city centre
- $205/mo
- 2024
- Meal, inexpensive restaurant
- $3.31
- 2024
- Average monthly net salary
- $198
- 2024
Quality of life trends in Sri Lanka
Typical living costs in Sri Lanka
US dollars; national figures are medians/averages across cities reported to Numbeo.
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent: 1-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $205/mo | 2024 | -13.8% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 1-bedroom, outside centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre | $139/mo | 2023 | +58.8% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 3-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $731/mo | 2023 | -17.5% vs 2021 | Numbeo |
| Utilities for an 85 m² apartmentElectricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage, monthly | $56.95/mo | 2023 | +5.3% vs 2021 | Numbeo |
| Internet (60 Mbps+)Unlimited broadband, monthly | $15.05/mo | 2023 | +53.1% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Mobile plan (calls + 10GB)Monthly mobile phone plan | $5.18/mo | 2023 | — | Numbeo |
| Meal, inexpensive restaurantCountry median of city prices | $3.31 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Dinner for two, mid-range restaurantThree-course meal for two, country median of city prices | $23.20 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| CappuccinoRegular cappuccino, country median of city prices | $2.40 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Public transport monthly passCountry median of city prices | $6.63 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Gasoline (1 litre)Country median of city prices | $1.25 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Fitness club membershipCountry median of city prices | $14.16/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Private preschool (full day)Country median of city prices | $25.27/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| International primary schoolCountry median of city prices | $583/yr | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Average monthly net salaryAverage monthly salary after tax | $198 | 2024 | -7.4% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
Quality of life indices
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality of Life IndexComposite index (higher is better) | 76.9 | 2024 | +5.6% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Safety IndexPerceived safety (higher is safer) | 57.9 | 2024 | -1.2% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Health Care IndexPerceived quality of the health care system | 71.1 | 2024 | -1.3% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Pollution IndexPerceived pollution (lower is better) | 58.8 | 2024 | -1.0% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Climate IndexClimate likeability (higher is more pleasant) | 59.1 | 2024 | ±0% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Year | Quality of Life Index | Safety Index | Health Care Index | Pollution Index | Climate Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 76.9 | 57.9 | 71.1 | 58.8 | 59.1 |
| 2023 | 72.8 | 58.6 | 72 | 59.4 | 59.1 |
| 2022 | 67.9 | 58.8 | 72.1 | 60.2 | 59.1 |
| 2021 | 79.8 | 58.8 | 72.6 | 59.9 | 59.1 |
| 2020 | 85.2 | 59.8 | 72.5 | 59.1 | 59.1 |
| 2019 | 95.3 | 59 | 72.3 | 57.7 | 59.1 |
| 2017 | 89 | 65.4 | 80 | 61.9 | 2.4 |
| 2015 | 49.9 | 50 | 74.3 | 65.7 | — |
Sri Lanka compared with Southern Asia
| Country | Quality of Life Index | Safety Index | Health Care Index | Meal, inexpensive restaurant | Rent: 1-bedroom, city centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 76.9 | 57.9 | 71.1 | $3.31 | $205/mo |
| Bangladesh | 69.1 | 38.5 | 42.3 | $1.67 | $120/mo |
| India | 111.8 | 55.7 | 64.9 | $2.38 | $270/mo |
| Iran | 77.7 | 50.5 | 53 | $3.60 | $508/mo |
| Nepal | — | — | — | $1.49 | $203/mo |
| Pakistan | 104 | 56.8 | 59.8 | $1.79 | $96.27/mo |
Related
Source: Numbeo (indices and prices, crowd-sourced). Salary is the average monthly net wage.