Cost of living in Colombo, Sri Lanka vs Durban, South Africa
Currency:
Food | - 11% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 11% cheaper than in Durban (South Africa) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 519 ₨ (R 38) | R 83 | - 54% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 836 ₨ (R 62) | R 60 | + 4% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 420 ₨ (R 31) | R 34 | - 8% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 221 ₨ (R 16) | R 17 | - 5% | |
12 eggs, large | 284 ₨ (R 21) | R 31 | - 33% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 194 ₨ (R 14) | R 15 | - 5% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 916 ₨ (R 68) | R 56 | + 21% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 380 ₨ (R 28) | R 22 | + 27% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 162 ₨ (R 12) | R 17 | - 31% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 269 ₨ (R 20) | R 20 | + 2% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 2,602 ₨ (R 193) | R 90 | + 113% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 303 ₨ (R 22) | R 23 | - 0% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 121 ₨ (R 9) | R 11 | - 15% | |
Housing | - 46% | |||
Housing in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 46% cheaper than in Durban (South Africa) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 165,439 ₨ (R 12,262) | R 16,730 | - 27% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 69,658 ₨ (R 5,163) | R 8,323 | - 38% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 7,357 ₨ (R 545) | R 1,690 | - 68% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 105,523 ₨ (R 7,821) | R 12,422 | - 37% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 47,647 ₨ (R 3,531) | R 6,842 | - 48% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 4,443 ₨ (R 329) | R 912 | - 64% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 2,285 ₨ (R 169) | R 677 | - 75% | |
40” flat screen tv | 67,829 ₨ (R 5,027) | R 4,531 | + 11% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 20,107 ₨ (R 1,490) | R 1,459 | + 2% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 948 ₨ (R 70) | R 75 | - 6% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 473 ₨ (R 35) | R 98 | - 64% | |
Clothes | - 37% | |||
Clothes in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 37% cheaper than in Durban (South Africa) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 5,760 ₨ (R 427) | R 842 | - 49% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 4,986 ₨ (R 370) | R 541 | - 32% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 9,589 ₨ (R 711) | R 1,111 | - 36% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 8,402 ₨ (R 623) | R 1,069 | - 42% | |
Transportation | - 32% | |||
Transportation in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 32% cheaper than in Durban (South Africa) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 5,459,990 ₨ (R 404,674) | R 235,368 | + 72% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 147 ₨ (R 11) | R 15 | - 29% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 2,700 ₨ (R 200) | R 655 | - 69% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 515 ₨ (R 38) | R 116 | - 67% | |
Personal Care | - 31% | |||
Personal Care in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 31% cheaper than in Durban (South Africa) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 462 ₨ (R 34) | R 51 | - 33% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 540 ₨ (R 40) | R 194 | - 79% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,704 ₨ (R 200) | R 479 | - 58% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 658 ₨ (R 49) | R 44 | + 10% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 493 ₨ (R 37) | R 29 | + 24% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 543 ₨ (R 40) | R 58 | - 31% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 356 ₨ (R 26) | R 21 | + 23% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 175 ₨ (R 13) | R 17 | - 25% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 584 ₨ (R 43) | R 96 | - 55% | |
Entertainment | - 9% | |||
Entertainment in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 9% cheaper than in Durban (South Africa) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 2,608 ₨ (R 193) | R 373 | - 48% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 1,338 ₨ (R 99) | R 163 | - 39% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 3,358 ₨ (R 249) | R 446 | - 44% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 4,595 ₨ (R 341) | R 461 | - 26% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 1,243 ₨ (R 92) | R 56 | + 64% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 515 ₨ (R 38) | R 33 | + 15% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 444 ₨ (R 33) | R 25 | + 29% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 80,262 ₨ (R 5,949) | R 7,178 | - 17% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 53 ₨ (R 3.90) | R 2.10 | + 85% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 4,022 ₨ (R 298) | R 590 | - 49% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,300 ₨ (R 96) | R 44 | + 120% | |
TOTAL | - 31% |

These prices were last updated on April 18, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.07412
ZAR
/
LKR
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Cost of living in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 31% cheaper than in Durban (South Africa)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require R 51,000 in Durban you would need to make just about R 35,357 (477,043 ₨) in Colombo.
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