Colombo

    Sri Lanka, Asia
    7.5M people
    Asia/Colombo
    Sinhala
    Cost of living in Colombo - Quality of life, safety, and living expenses guide for Colombo city
    City
    Capital

    Colombo

    Colombo is the commercial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka. A bustling metropolis, it's known for its colonial-era architecture, vibrant markets, and beautiful beaches nearby.

    Coastal
    Safety
    75
    Security
    Safe
    Cost
    70
    Living costs
    Expensive
    Healthcare
    70
    Medical
    Good
    30°
    L: 25°
    Best time to visitDecember
    Annual rainfall
    2000mm

    Cost of Living

    70
    Overall Cost
    Expensive
    60
    Rent Index
    Moderate
    55
    Groceries
    Moderate
    65
    Restaurants
    Expensive

    Monthly Rent (USD)

    1 Bedroom
    $500
    City center
    3 Bedroom
    $1,500
    City center
    Cost vs Global Average20% higher

    Quality of Life
    Medium expat community

    65
    Overall Quality Score
    Very Good quality of life
    Overall Quality
    Life satisfaction
    65
    Very Good
    Good65
    Cultural Diversity
    Multicultural environment
    80
    Excellent
    Excellent80
    Food Scene
    Restaurants and cuisine
    85
    Outstanding
    Excellent85
    Entertainment
    Nightlife and activities
    75
    Excellent
    Good75
    English Proficiency
    Language accessibility
    80
    Excellent
    Excellent80
    Expat Integration
    Community inclusion
    60
    Good
    Average60
    Cultural Scene
    Rich cultural diversity with 80/100 score
    Food Culture
    Vibrant dining scene rated 85/100
    Entertainment
    75/100 entertainment options

    Location

    Marker
    Leaflet © OpenStreetMap contributors
    Interactive MapClick to explore

    Work & Economy
    🌐

    AVERAGE
    $1K
    Annual Salary
    SPEED
    20
    Mbps Internet
    SPACES
    15
    Coworking

    Work Environment Scores

    Job Market
    Professional opportunities
    65
    out of 100
    Good65
    Startup Ecosystem
    Professional opportunities
    55
    out of 100
    Average55
    Business Freedom
    Professional opportunities
    60
    out of 100
    Average60
    Work-Life Balance
    Average work hours per week
    45h

    Healthcare System

    Quality Index
    Healthcare excellence
    70
    Good
    Good70
    Cost Index
    Healthcare affordability
    40
    Low Cost
    Average40

    System Overview

    System Type
    Public and Private
    Emergency Number
    119
    Hospital Density
    20
    per 100k people
    Life Expectancy
    Health Indicator
    75
    years
    Compared to global average (73 years)
    Excellent88
    Developing health systems

    Safety & Security

    Overall SafetySafe
    Score: 75/100
    Crime Rate IndexLow
    Index: 25/100 (lower is better)
    Political Stability60/100
    Emergency
    119
    Disaster Risk
    Medium

    Environment & Health

    HEALTHCARE
    70
    Health Index
    LIFESPAN
    75
    Years
    HOSPITALS
    20
    Per 100K

    Environmental Quality

    Air Quality
    Clean air quality
    50
    Fair
    Average50
    Green Spaces
    Parks and nature access
    50
    Fair
    Average50
    Noise Levels
    Peaceful environment
    30
    Fair
    Bad30
    Air Quality Index
    Clean air
    50

    Transportation & Mobility

    MONTHLY
    $20
    Public Transport
    PER LITER
    $1.50
    Fuel Cost
    PER KM
    $1.00
    Taxi Rate

    Mobility Scores

    Public Transport
    Buses, trains, metro
    60
    Good
    Walkability
    Pedestrian friendly
    65
    Good
    Traffic Flow
    Commute efficiency
    30
    Fair

    Nearby Airports

    Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)

    Mobility & Transportation

    Public Transport
    Quality & coverage
    60
    Good
    Average60
    Walkability
    Pedestrian-friendly
    65
    Good
    Good65
    Traffic Congestion
    High
    70 Index
    Good70

    Transportation Costs

    Public Transport
    $20
    per month
    Fuel
    $1.5
    per liter
    Taxi
    $1
    per km

    Education & Family

    INTERNATIONAL
    20
    Schools
    MONTHLY
    $200
    Childcare

    Quality Scores

    Education Quality
    Schools and universities
    65
    Good
    Family Friendliness
    Child-friendly environment
    70
    Good

    Major Universities

    University of Colombo
    Higher education institution
    Sri Jayewardenepura University
    Higher education institution

    Lifestyle & Culture

    Overall Culture Score

    Arts, heritage & cultural richness

    Excellent
    85
    Excellent85
    Cultural Diversity
    Multicultural environment
    80
    Excellent80
    Food Scene
    Restaurant quality & variety
    85
    Excellent85
    Entertainment
    Arts, events & activities
    75
    Good75
    Nightlife
    Bars, clubs & evening scene
    70
    Good70

    Language & Integration

    English Proficiency
    High
    80
    Excellent80
    Language Barrier
    Moderate
    40
    Poor40

    Expat Community

    Community Size
    Medium
    Integration Score
    60
    Average60

    Digital Nomad Guide
    Nomad Friendly

    20 Mbps
    Internet Speed
    15
    Coworking Spaces
    Remote Work Infrastructure70/100
    Visa Process70/100
    Banking & Finance75/100
    Avg Salary
    $500
    Work Hours/Week
    45h
    Internet Cost
    $30/month
    Visa Info
    Vary depending on nationality. Check visa requirements before traveling.
    Business Freedom60/100

    Expat Life & Integration

    Medium Community
    Expat Community Size
    Integration Ease60/100
    Language BarrierLow Barrier
    Score: 40/100 (lower is better)
    English Proficiency80/100
    Cultural Diversity80/100
    Official Languages
    Sinhala, Tamil, English
    Tipping Culture
    Not mandatory, but appreciated
    Weekend Culture
    Relaxed, with many people visiting beaches and parks.

    Practical Information

    Time Zone
    Asia/Colombo
    Languages
    Sinhala, Tamil +1
    Emergency
    119
    Healthcare System
    Public and Private

    Cultural Guidelines

    Tipping
    Not mandatory, but appreciated
    Weekend Culture
    Relaxed, with many people visiting beaches and parks.

    Best Time to Visit

    December
    January
    February
    Natural Disaster Risk
    Medium

    Visa Requirements

    Vary depending on nationality. Check visa requirements before traveling.

    Key Statistics

    7.5M
    Population
    70
    Cost Index
    20 Mbps
    Internet
    $0.5K
    1BR Rent
    60
    Transport
    $1K
    Avg Salary

    🍱 Eating Out

    🍱 Lunch Menu
    🥂 Dinner for 2
    🥪 Fast Food Meal
    🍻 Beer (0.5L)
    ☕ Cappuccino
    🥤 Coke (0.5L)

    🚌 Transportation

    🚌 Local Ticket
    🎟️ Monthly Pass
    🚕 Taxi (8km)
    ⛽ Gas (1L)

    🏠 Rent & Utilities

    🏙️ 1BR City Center
    🏡 1BR Outside
    🏙️ 3BR City Center
    🏡 3BR Outside
    🔌 Utilities (1 person)
    🌐 Internet (50 Mbps)

    🛒 Groceries

    🥛 Milk (1L)
    🍞 Bread (0.5kg)
    🍚 Rice (1kg)
    🥚 Eggs (12 pack)
    🧀 Cheese (1kg)
    🐔 Chicken (1kg)
    🥩 Beef (1kg)
    🍏 Apples (1kg)

    💼 Other Services

    🏋️ Gym (Monthly)
    🎫 Cinema Ticket
    👩‍⚕️ Doctor Visit
    💇 Haircut
    👖 Jeans
    👟 Sneakers
    👶 Daycare (Monthly)
    🏫 Int'l School (Yearly)

    📍 Location & Places

    Universities

    University of Colombo
    Nearby location
    Sri Jayewardenepura University
    Nearby location

    Airports

    Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
    Nearby location

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