Price comparison
The same 29 everyday buys in India and Sri Lanka, from a coffee to an airport taxi: what locals pay, what tourist spots charge, and where your money goes further.
The numbers that decide a trip, in one table. Money in USD, the local price underneath.
What locals pay in India and Sri Lanka, item by item. Shown in USD at one daily rate so the two sides compare, with the local price underneath. Differences under 3% count as about the same.
24 of the 29 items cost less in India.
Bottled, convenience store
India: ≈ $0.16 – $0.26 ₹15 – ₹25 Sri Lanka: ≈ $0.15 – $0.30 Rs 50–100 Cafe or street vendor
India: ≈ $0.31 – $2.60 ₹30 – ₹250 Sri Lanka: ≈ $1.20 – $2.60 Rs 400–850 Draft, at bar or restaurant
India: ≈ $1.60 – $3.10 ₹150 – ₹300 Sri Lanka: ≈ $1.80 – $3.60 Rs 600–1,200 Tourist area, main course
India: ≈ $2.60 – $6.20 ₹250 – ₹600 Sri Lanka: ≈ $8 – $18 Rs 2,500–6,000 Local market or stand
India: ≈ $0.31 – $1 ₹30 – ₹100 Sri Lanka: ≈ $0.91 – $2 Rs 300–650 Mixed drink, bar
India: ≈ $2.60 – $5.20 ₹250 – ₹500 Sri Lanka: ≈ $4.50 – $9.10 Rs 1,500–3,000 House wine, restaurant
India: ≈ $8 – $19 ₹800 – ₹1,800 Sri Lanka: ≈ $18 – $36 Rs 6,000–12,000 Cafe or street stall
India: ≈ $0.31 – $0.83 ₹30 – ₹80 Sri Lanka: ≈ $0.76 – $1.80 Rs 250–600 Standard route
India: ≈ $5 – $12 ₹500 – ₹1,200 Sri Lanka: ≈ $15 – $27 Rs 5,000–9,000 Metered or typical fare
India: ≈ $0.10 – $0.26 ₹10 – ₹25 Sri Lanka: ≈ $0.21 – $0.39 Rs 70–130 Single ride
India: ≈ $0.10 – $0.62 ₹10 – ₹60 Sri Lanka: ≈ $0.09 – $0.45 Rs 30–150 Grab / Bolt / Uber
India: ≈ $1.60 – $4.20 ₹150 – ₹400 Sri Lanka: ≈ $0.61 – $6.10 Rs 200–2,000 Tourist shop
India: ≈ $0.52 – $1.60 ₹50 – ₹150 Sri Lanka: ≈ $0.61 – $1.50 Rs 200–500 Tourist shop
India: ≈ $1 – $2.10 ₹100 – ₹200 Sri Lanka: ≈ $4.50 – $7.60 Rs 1,500–2,500 Ceramics, textiles, etc.
India: ≈ $3 – $16 ₹300 – ₹1,500 Sri Lanka: ≈ $1.50 – $11 Rs 500–3,500 Data package
India: ≈ $3.10 – $5.20 ₹300 – ₹500 Sri Lanka: ≈ $1.50 – $4.50 Rs 500–1,500 Pharmacy or shop
India: ≈ $2.10 – $6.20 ₹200 – ₹600 Sri Lanka: ≈ $4.50 – $15 Rs 1,500–5,000 Supermarket
India: ≈ $0.21 – $0.36 ₹20 – ₹35 Sri Lanka: ≈ $0.24 – $0.45 Rs 80–150 Pack of 20
India: ≈ $3.60 – $5.20 ₹350 – ₹500 Sri Lanka: ≈ $5.40 – $6.10 Rs 1,800–2,000 Pack of 20 tablets
India: ≈ $0.21 – $0.62 ₹20 – ₹60 Sri Lanka: ≈ $0.18 – $0.30 Rs 60–100 Spray or lotion
India: ≈ $0.83 – $2.10 ₹80 – ₹200 Sri Lanka: ≈ $0.91 – $2.40 Rs 300–800 Local barbershop
India: ≈ $1 – $3.10 ₹100 – ₹300 Sri Lanka: ≈ $4.50 – $11 Rs 1,500–3,500 Laundry service
India: ≈ $0.52 – $1.10 ₹50 – ₹110 Sri Lanka: ≈ $0.45 – $1.50 Rs 150–500 Standard full-body massage
India: ≈ $10 – $26 ₹1,000 – ₹2,500 Sri Lanka: ≈ $9 – $33 Rs 3,000–11,000 Basic cut, salon
India: ≈ $4.20 – $9.30 ₹400 – ₹900 Sri Lanka: ≈ $4.50 – $12 Rs 1,500–4,000 Entrance ticket
India: ≈ $0.21 – $6.70 ₹20 – ₹650 Sri Lanka: ≈ $4.50 – $12 Rs 1,500–4,000 Organized excursion
India: ≈ $16 – $31 ₹1,500 – ₹3,000 Sri Lanka: ≈ $17 – $37 Rs 5,600–12,200 Organized excursion 6-8h
India: ≈ $16 – $36 ₹1,500 – ₹3,500 Sri Lanka: ≈ $24 – $54 Rs 8,000–18,000 Local cuisine cooking class
India: ≈ $10 – $26 ₹1,000 – ₹2,500 Sri Lanka: ≈ $18 – $32 Rs 6,000–10,500 Tourist prices are about 3.3× the fair price in India, against 2.9× in Sri Lanka.
India 2nd highest of 60
Sri Lanka 16th highest of 60
What is expected in each country, so you neither stiff anyone nor overpay.
India Tip 50-100 INR at restaurants if no service charge is included. Taxi drivers don't expect tips, but rounding up is appreciated; hotel staff expect 50-100 INR per bag.
Sri Lanka Tip 10% in restaurants if no service charge is added. Drivers and guides expect 500-1000 LKR per day; hotel porters appreciate 200-500 LKR per bag.
No. In India you pay about 31% less than in Sri Lanka at fair prices. TruePrice Index: India 38, Sri Lanka 55 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). 24 of the 29 items cost less in India.
A week is cheaper in India: about $70 at fair prices, against $140 in Sri Lanka. That covers two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride a day. Flights and accommodation are not included. At tourist-trap prices the same week runs about $210 in India and $340 in Sri Lanka.
In India: food and drinks cost about 42% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $2.60 – $6.20 in India and $8 – $18 in Sri Lanka, street food $0.31 – $1 and $0.91 – $2.
In India: tourist prices there are about 3.3× the fair price on average, against 2.9× in Sri Lanka. The biggest gaps in India: city taxi 1 km (17.1×), printed T-shirt (5.7×), and painkillers (5.0×).
Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.
How to cite
TruePrice, India vs Sri Lanka, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/india-vs-sri-lanka/
Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at contact@truepriceapp.com and I will check it.
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