Cost of Living in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Colombo is a city in Sri Lanka, where a single person can expect to spend about $750 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $459 per month, or $231 outside the centre. Internet is workable at around 33 Mbps median download speed, and Sri Lanka offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Colombo scores 58/100 — moderately safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 84°F and winter highs around 85°F, with roughly 187 sunny days a year.
Colombo Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Colombo
How Colombo Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Colombo is cheaper than 89% of them, but sits in the bottom 8% for internet speed.
| Metric | Colombo | World rank | Rank in Asia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $750 | #38 of 340 | #23 of 65 |
| Safety | 58/100 | #195 of 340 | #50 of 65 |
| Healthcare | 71/100 | #150 of 340 | #22 of 65 |
| Internet speed | 33 Mbps | #315 of 340 | #53 of 65 |
| Walkability | 42/100 | #243 of 340 | #43 of 65 |
| Public transit | 28/100 | #214 of 340 | #38 of 65 |
| Food scene | 75/100 | #156 of 340 | #50 of 65 |
| Air quality | 77/100 | #235 of 340 | #27 of 65 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Colombo
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Colombo.
- Goa, India — $487/mo, 35% cheaper, safety 58/100
- Nha Trang, Vietnam — $580/mo, 23% cheaper, safety 72/100
- Kampot, Cambodia — $480/mo, 36% cheaper, safety 62/100
- Jaipur, India — $391/mo, 48% cheaper, safety 50/100
Communities & Expat Groups
Digital Nomads Sri Lanka
Colombo FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Colombo?
A single person should budget around $750 per month in Colombo, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $1,915 per month excluding rent.
How much is rent in Colombo?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Colombo averages $459 per month, dropping to about $231 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,137.
Is Colombo safe?
Colombo scores 58/100 on safety, which is moderately safe. Tourist safety is rated 55/100.
How fast is the internet in Colombo?
Median download speeds in Colombo are around 33 Mbps — workable for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 12 coworking spaces in the city.
Does Sri Lanka offer a digital nomad visa?
Yes — Sri Lanka offers a digital nomad visa. US passport holders can typically stay 30 days visa-free before applying.
What is the weather like in Colombo?
Colombo sees summer highs around 84°F and winter highs near 85°F, with about 187 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 147 days.
Colombo in our travel guides
Visa Requirements for Sri Lanka
Add your passport to see whether you need a visa for Sri Lanka and how to apply.
Explore More
See Colombo on the interactive map →