Cost of living in Matara
Matara, a coastal city in Sri Lanka, offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and modern living. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering relocation or planning a visit.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Matara, covering essential categories such as dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities.
Cost of Living Summary
Dining and Restaurants
- Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $2.58 on average, with a range between $1.37 and $8.59.
- Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $25.76, with prices ranging from $17.17 to $68.68.
- Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $7.56, with a range between $6.53 and $10.3.
- Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $1.41 to $3.43, imported beer $2.06 to $6.87, cappuccino $1.55 to $4.12, and Coke/Pepsi $0.52 to $1.72.
Grocery Prices
- Milk - Milk is priced between $1.55 and $1.89 per liter, averaging $1.65.
- Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.48 and $1.55, with an average price of $0.57.
- Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.34 to $2.68, averaging $2.24.
- Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $1.72 to $10.3 per kg, while oranges range from $2.06 to $10.3 per kg.
- Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.46 and $1.55 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.34 to $2.06 per head.
Transportation
- Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs $0.17.
- Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.13 and $1.46 per liter.
- Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $0.41, with a cost of $0.34 to $0.69 per km and $0.34 to $1.03 per hour of waiting.
Housing Costs
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $171.71.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $103.03 to $223.22, averaging $154.54.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $515.13.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $171.71.
Utilities
- Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $18.54 and $85.86, averaging $26.3.
- Internet - Internet services range from $5.15 to $51.51, with an average cost of $5.15.
Cost of Living Rankings
The cost of living indices for Sri Lanka are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in Sri Lanka, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.
Cost of Living Data
Restaurants
Restaurants
Markets
Markets
Transportation
Transportation
Rent Per Month
Rent Per Month
Utilities (Monthly)
Utilities (Monthly)
Sports And Leisure
Sports And Leisure
Clothing And Shoes
Clothing And Shoes
Salaries And Financing
Salaries And Financing
Childcare
Childcare
"Key Takeaways"
Matara offers a relatively low cost of living compared to many other cities, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious individuals.
Dining out is affordable, with inexpensive meals available for as low as $1.37.
Housing costs are particularly low, especially outside the city centre, where rent for a 1-bedroom apartment can be as low as $103.03.
Transportation is very affordable, with local transport tickets costing just $0.17.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Matara provides a cost-effective living environment with affordable housing, dining, and transportation options.
This makes it an ideal location for those looking to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without the high expenses associated with larger cities.