Cost of living in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 53% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 483 prices entered by 62 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 36% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 36% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 1,045 ₨ (68 Kwacha) | 133 Kwacha | - 49% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 1,212 ₨ (79 Kwacha) | 68 Kwacha | + 16% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 788 ₨ (51 Kwacha) | 50 Kwacha | + 3% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 450 ₨ (29 Kwacha) | 17 Kwacha | + 75% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 1,095 ₨ (71 Kwacha) | 27 Kwacha | + 165% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 432 ₨ (28 Kwacha) | 23 Kwacha | + 19% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,539 ₨ (229 Kwacha) | 141 Kwacha | + 62% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2,046 ₨ (133 Kwacha) | 34 Kwacha | + 291% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 302 ₨ (20 Kwacha) | 24 Kwacha | - 18% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 596 ₨ (39 Kwacha) | 21 Kwacha | + 86% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 6,315 ₨ (409 Kwacha) | 161 Kwacha | + 154% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 480 ₨ (31 Kwacha) | 21 Kwacha | + 48% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 164 ₨ (11 Kwacha) | 15 Kwacha | - 28% | |
| Housing | + 17% | |||
| Housing in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 17% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 232,349 ₨ (15,053 Kwacha) | 13,253 Kwacha | + 14% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 113,059 ₨ (7,325 Kwacha) | 9,866 Kwacha | - 26% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 38,118 ₨ (2,470 Kwacha) | 547 Kwacha | + 351% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 150,008 ₨ (9,719 Kwacha) | 9,508 Kwacha | + 2% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 75,160 ₨ (4,869 Kwacha) | 5,942 Kwacha | - 18% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 22,756 ₨ (1,474 Kwacha) | 421 Kwacha | + 250% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 3,750 ₨ (243 Kwacha) | 391 Kwacha | - 38% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 205,570 ₨ (13,318 Kwacha) | 5,688 Kwacha | + 134% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 51,786 ₨ (3,355 Kwacha) | 1,980 Kwacha | + 69% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,830 ₨ (248 Kwacha) | 71 Kwacha | + 250% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 1,000 ₨ (65 Kwacha) | 56 Kwacha | + 15% | |
| Clothes | + 52% | |||
| Clothes in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 52% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 19,184 ₨ (1,243 Kwacha) | 642 Kwacha | + 94% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 9,773 ₨ (633 Kwacha) | 499 Kwacha | + 27% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 25,919 ₨ (1,679 Kwacha) | 904 Kwacha | + 86% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 22,399 ₨ (1,451 Kwacha) | 783 Kwacha | + 85% | |
| Transportation | + 60% | |||
| Transportation in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 60% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 18,077,000 ₨ (1,171,152 Kwacha) | 234,832 Kwacha | + 399% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 400 ₨ (26 Kwacha) | 22 Kwacha | + 19% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 6,254 ₨ (405 Kwacha) | 533 Kwacha | - 24% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 1,603 ₨ (104 Kwacha) | 176 Kwacha | - 41% | |
| Personal Care | + 50% | |||
| Personal Care in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 50% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 335 ₨ (22 Kwacha) | 50 Kwacha | - 56% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 1,657 ₨ (107 Kwacha) | 59 Kwacha | + 83% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 3,009 ₨ (195 Kwacha) | 311 Kwacha | - 37% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 1,292 ₨ (84 Kwacha) | 51 Kwacha | + 63% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,163 ₨ (75 Kwacha) | 41 Kwacha | + 85% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,097 ₨ (71 Kwacha) | 41 Kwacha | + 74% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 998 ₨ (65 Kwacha) | 26 Kwacha | + 145% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 294 ₨ (19 Kwacha) | 20 Kwacha | - 7% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 1,511 ₨ (98 Kwacha) | 159 Kwacha | - 38% | |
| Entertainment | + 139% | |||
| Entertainment in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 139% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 10,877 ₨ (705 Kwacha) | 282 Kwacha | + 150% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 2,334 ₨ (151 Kwacha) | 141 Kwacha | + 7% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 5,859 ₨ (380 Kwacha) | 369 Kwacha | + 3% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 21,644 ₨ (1,402 Kwacha) | 444 Kwacha | + 216% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 8,885 ₨ (576 Kwacha) | 46 Kwacha | + 1158% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 870 ₨ (56 Kwacha) | 29 Kwacha | + 93% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,088 ₨ (71 Kwacha) | 17 Kwacha | + 317% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 253,140 ₨ (16,400 Kwacha) | 4,733 Kwacha | + 246% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 17 ₨ (1.11 Kwacha) | 1.36 Kwacha | - 19% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 10,080 ₨ (653 Kwacha) | 728 Kwacha | - 10% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 3,165 ₨ (205 Kwacha) | 42 Kwacha | + 393% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 53% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 483 prices entered by 62 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 29, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.06479
ZMW
/
LKR
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For example, you would need at least 61,190 Kwacha (944,474 ₨) in Colombo to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 40,000 Kwacha in Lusaka.
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