How expensive is Colombo compared to other cities?

Colombo ranks #406 out of 577 cities globally, cheaper than 70.2% of cities worldwide. The rent index is 12.9 and local purchasing power is 20.0.

What is the average rent in Colombo?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Colombo city centre costs approximately LKR 195,110 per month. Outside the centre, rent drops to LKR 89,506 (saving 54%). A 3-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around LKR 499,055.

Is Colombo affordable to live in?

Colombo is affordable by global standards. Groceries are affordable, restaurants are very affordable, and local purchasing power is very weak.

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka · 2026

Kosten van Levensonderhoud in Colombo

Affordable: goedkoper dan 70.2% van de steden wereldwijd

Gerangschikt op #406 van 577 steden · Duurder dan 29.6% van de steden wereldwijd

Affordable

Kosten van Levensonderhoud

Very affordable

Huur

Affordable

Boodschappen

Very weak

Koopkracht

Lagere index = betaalbaarder

Huurprijzen in Colombo

Appartement	Stadscentrum	Buiten het Centrum	Je Bespaart
1-Kamer	LKR 195,110/mo ≈ $589	LKR 89,506/mo ≈ $270	54%
3-Kamer	LKR 499,055/mo ≈ $1,507	LKR 142,247/mo ≈ $429	72%

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Multi-Source Comparison

★★ Medium Confidence

Colombo has a cost of living index of 26.5 (New York = 100, rent included), the average of 2 of 3 data sources. LivingCost is left out because it sits more than 15% away from the others.

26.5

Index

Sources

3.1

Gap between sources