Colombo vs Kandy
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Colombo leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Kandy where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Kandy's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Colombo | Kandy |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 59 | 68 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 46 | 50 |
| Climate | 78 | 94 |
| Safety | 55 | 63 |
| Summer °C | 28.4 | 25.1 |
| Winter °C | 26.7 | 22.4 |
| Top disaster risk | flooding | flooding |
Colombo vs Kandy: the short answer
Kandy comes out ahead on overall livability (68/100), clearly above Colombo (59/100). The two cities diverge most on climate. On affordability Kandy is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Colombo 46 vs Kandy 50, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Colombo runs warmer in summer (about 28.4°C peak vs 25.1°C in Kandy), while winter lows sit near 26.7°C in Colombo and 22.4°C in Kandy. On natural-disaster exposure Kandy is the safer choice (safety 63/100); the dominant modelled hazard is flooding for Colombo and flooding for Kandy.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Kandy — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Colombo — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Kandy — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Kandy — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Colombo or Kandy better to live in?
Kandy scores higher overall — 68 vs 59 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Colombo or Kandy?
Kandy has the lower cost of living (cost index 50 vs 46; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Colombo or Kandy?
Colombo — summer highs reach about 28.4°C versus 25.1°C in Kandy.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Colombo or Kandy?
Kandy (disaster-safety 63/100). Main hazard: flooding in Colombo, flooding in Kandy.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Colombo?
flooding is the dominant modelled hazard for Colombo on our risk index.
How is the Colombo vs Kandy comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.