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Ella vs Kandy cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐ฑ๐ฐ Ella
๐ฑ๐ฐ Kandy
At a glance
- Where Kandy is clearly cheaper: Taxi (60%โ), Tuk-tuk / moto taxi (56%โ), Scooter rental (25%โ)
- Where Ella is clearly cheaper: Entry ticket (50%โ), SIM card (29%โ), Laundry (20%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Kandy is easier to travel (2.4 vs 2.8). Biggest gap: getting around โ Ella 4 vs Kandy 2. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Ella | Kandy | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | Rs 1,000$3.33 | Rs 900$3 | Kandy โ10% |
| Street food1 item | Rs 600$2 | Rs 600$2 | similar |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | Rs 3,000$10 | Rs 3,500$11.7 | Ella โ14% |
| Coffeeone cup | Rs 1,000$3.33 | Rs 900$3 | Kandy โ10% |
| Beerone bottle | Rs 1,100$3.67 | Rs 1,000$3.33 | Kandy โ9% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | Rs 2,000$6.67 | Rs 2,000$6.67 | similar |
| Bottled water | Rs 80$0.27 | Rs 80$0.27 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | Rs 180$0.6 | Rs 180$0.6 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | Rs 1,500$5 | Rs 600$2 | Kandy โ60% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | Rs 800$2.67 | Rs 350$1.17 | Kandy โ56% |
| Transitone ride | Rs 50$0.17 | Rs 40$0.13 | Kandy โ20% |
| Scooter rentalper day | Rs 4,000$13.3 | Rs 3,000$10 | Kandy โ25% |
| Hotel night3-star | Rs 15,000$50 | Rs 15,000$50 | similar |
| Studio rent (month) | Rs 50,000$167 | Rs 45,000$150 | Kandy โ10% |
| Laundry | Rs 400$1.33 | Rs 500$1.67 | Ella โ20% |
| SIM card1 week data | Rs 2,500$8.33 | Rs 3,500$11.7 | Ella โ29% |
| Haircutcut | Rs 800$2.67 | Rs 600$2 | Kandy โ25% |
| Massage1 hour | Rs 5,000$16.7 | Rs 5,000$16.7 | similar |
| Half-day tourper person | Rs 6,000$20 | Rs 7,500$25 | Ella โ20% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | Rs 1,000$3.33 | Rs 2,000$6.67 | Ella โ50% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Ella or Kandy?
Kandy is 9% cheaper than Ella. Daily budget $90.1 vs $83.3; a month $1,090 vs $966.
Which is easier to travel, Ella or Kandy?
Kandy is easier: Kandy 2.4/5 vs Ella 2.8/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Ella and Kandy?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Ella is about $1,090 and Kandy about $966 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.