What is the cost of living in Colombo?

The cost of living in Colombo is 73.5% cheaper than New York City (index: 26.5). Groceries are 52.2% cheaper than NYC. Restaurants are 73.4% cheaper than NYC. A 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs approximately LKR 195,110 per month. Local purchasing power index is 20.0 (NYC = 100).

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka · #412 of 577 cities · 2026

Should I Move to Colombo?

Q: Should I move to Colombo?

Colombo, Sri Lanka has a cost of living 73.5% cheaper than New York City (index: 26.5). It is ranked #412 out of 577 cities globally. Local purchasing power is very weak (index: 20.0 vs NYC = 100). Use our salary comparison calculator to see exactly how your take-home pay would change.

73.5% cheaper to live here than in New York City.

Run the calculator below with your actual salary to get a personalised answer.

-73.5%

vs NYC

LKR 195,110

1-BR, city centre

20.0

Purchasing Power

Very weak

Purchasing Power

Cost index: Numbeo, blended with Expatistan and LivingCost where available (NYC = 100) · Data from March – October 2026

Personalised Answer

Compare your salary: move to Colombo?

Cost breakdown: Colombo

Cost indices vs NYC = 100

Cost of Living

26.5 Affordable

Rent

12.9 Very affordable

Groceries

47.8 Affordable

Restaurants

26.6 Very affordable

Purchasing Power

20.0 Very weak

Rent in Colombo

1-BR, city centre LKR 195,110/mo

1-BR, outside centre LKR 89,506/mo

3-BR, city centre LKR 499,055/mo

3-BR, outside centre LKR 142,247/mo

Save by going outside centre 54% cheaper

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Considering alternatives?

Cities in the same country or region with a comparable cost of living.

🇸🇦 Ad Dammam

Saudi Arabia

CoL index 26.5

Compare Ad Dammam vs Colombo →

🇹🇭 Pattaya

Thailand

CoL index 26.5

Compare Pattaya vs Colombo →

🇯🇴 Amman

Jordan

CoL index 26.7

Compare Amman vs Colombo →

Ready to run the numbers?

Enter your salary and current city. Get exact take-home pay in Colombo after tax, in seconds.

Compare salaries → Full cost of living data

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