Sri Lanka🇱🇰
At a Glance
How Sri Lanka compares across key indices
Cost of Living
32 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
58/100
Healthcare
71/100
Quality of Life
64/200
Climate
64/100
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in Sri Lanka
Cost of Living
32
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
7
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
45
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
23
100 = NYC dining
City Costs Comparison
Colombo
Cheapest$969/mo
Safety & Crime
Moderate RiskHow safe residents feel in Sri Lanka — based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
58/100
Crime Index
42/100
Lower is better
Crime Trend
52/100
Mixed perception
Walking Safety
23 point drop from day to night
Problem Severity
0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem
What Residents Worry About
Based on 359 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.
Cities in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has 1 city with Numbeo data. Colombo has the lowest estimated monthly cost at $969. Colombo leads on safety, scoring 57/100. Colombo ranks highest for quality of life at 61/200.
Colombo
$969/mo
Colombo
57/100
Colombo
61/200
Colombo
71/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombo | $969 | 57/100 | 61/200 | 71/100 | 60 |
Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare
Healthcare system overview for Sri Lanka
Healthcare Index
71/100
Quality Breakdown
How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality
Based on 148 survey responses
Insurance Coverage
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Environment
ModerateAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in Sri Lanka
Pollution Index
58/100
Lower is better
Environmental Quality
Concerns
0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern
Based on 216 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Transport & Commute
How people get around in Sri Lanka
Average One-Way Commute
54minutes
Long
Traffic Index
255
Heavy congestion
Inefficiency
355
Time wasted in traffic
CO2 Emissions
7.2kg/trip
How People Commute
Based on 108 survey responses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in Sri Lanka, answered with data
What is the cost of living in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka has a cost of living index of 32 relative to New York City (100). It is significantly cheaper than the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $969 in Colombo.
Is Sri Lanka safe for expats?
Sri Lanka has a safety index of 58/100, making it generally safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Colombo scores highest on safety at 57/100.
What is the best city in Sri Lanka for expats and digital nomads?
Colombo ranks highest for quality of life in Sri Lanka, scoring 61/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $969/mo for a single person.
How good is healthcare in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka scores 71/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it good by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.
Is Sri Lanka cheaper than the United States?
Yes. Sri Lanka's cost of living is roughly 68% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 93% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
Before You Go
Your pre-departure checklist for Sri Lanka
Plan Your Move
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Salary Calculator
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Compare Countries
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