🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $942 in Alba Iulia versus $1,247 in Tbilisi.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,421 in Alba Iulia versus $2,025 in Tbilisi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,900 in Alba Iulia versus $2,803 in Tbilisi.
🌍Living in Alba Iulia costs roughly 24% less than in Tbilisi, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Alba Iulia31% lower, Tbilisi9% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Alba Iulia
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.58RON 39.39
$11.33₾29.45
-24.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.05RON 152
$38.71₾101
-14.62%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.11RON 28.02
$9.52₾24.73
-35.82%
Cappuccino
$2.36RON 10.83
$3.41₾8.85
-30.79%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.88RON 8.63
$1.04₾2.71
80.77%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57RON 7.20
$0.64₾1.66
145.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.07RON 9.49
$2.61₾6.79
-20.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18RON 10.02
$3.24₾8.43
-32.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Alba Iulia
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.29RON 5.90
$2.17₾5.65
-40.55%
White Bread(500g)
$1.14RON 5.22
$0.74₾1.92
54.05%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.58RON 7.24
$1.71₾4.45
-7.60%
Eggs
$2.90RON 13.32
$2.83₾7.36
2.47%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.08RON 37.08
$9.22₾23.95
-12.36%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.14RON 28.18
$6.76₾17.55
-9.17%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.14RON 51.1
$12.77₾33.17
-12.76%
Apples(1kg)
$0.92RON 4.21
$1.64₾4.26
-43.90%
Banana(1kg)
$1.42RON 6.51
$1.77₾4.60
-19.77%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.33RON 6.11
$1.87₾4.85
-28.88%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.48RON 11.40
$2.44₾6.34
1.64%
Potato(1kg)
$0.74RON 3.40
$0.87₾2.25
-14.94%
Onion(1kg)
$0.62RON 2.83
$0.65₾1.70
-4.62%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85RON 3.91
$1.40₾3.64
-39.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.69RON 3.17
$0.74₾1.93
-6.76%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.38RON 24.70
$3.41₾8.86
57.77%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.46RON 20.45
$7.60₾19.75
-41.32%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.11RON 5.09
$1.70₾4.41
-34.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29RON 5.91
$2.38₾6.20
-45.80%
🚌 Getting Around
Alba Iulia
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.74RON 3.40
$0.36₾0.94
105.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$17.35RON 79.6
$15.24₾39.60
13.85%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.70RON 3.19
$1.18₾3.07
-40.68%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.71RON 3.24
$0.76₾1.97
-6.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.96RON 22.75
$11.34₾29.47
-56.26%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.54RON 7.08
$1.33₾3.46
15.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.0KRON 133.2K
$24.7K₾64.2K
17.40%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.2KRON 115.7K
$22.0K₾57.2K
14.47%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Alba Iulia
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$129RON 594
$88.9₾231
45.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.80RON 35.79
$13.33₾34.63
-41.49%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.28RON 42.58
$20.12₾52.3
-53.88%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Alba Iulia
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.21RON 139
$68.7₾178
-56.01%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$32.46RON 149
$18.09₾47.01
79.44%
Cinema Ticket
$5.22RON 23.93
$6.72₾17.46
-22.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Alba Iulia
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$468RON 2,149
$374₾971
25.36%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,271RON 33.4K
$10.7K₾27.8K
-32.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Alba Iulia
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$40.80RON 187
$101₾263
-59.69%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.24RON 116
$39.33₾102
-35.83%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$77.9RON 357
$118₾305
-33.71%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$64.7RON 297
$122₾318
-47.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Alba Iulia
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$304RON 1,394
$682₾1,773
-55.48%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$298RON 1,367
$456₾1,186
-34.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$648RON 2,973
$1,303₾3,385
-50.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$484RON 2,221
$899₾2,337
-46.19%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,709RON 7,842
$2,449₾6,365
-30.22%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,474RON 6,765
$1,452₾3,774
1.52%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Alba Iulia
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$947RON 4,345
$652₾1,695
45.16%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.97
12.62
-44.77%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Alba Iulia: September 12, 2026
Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $304 in Alba Iulia and $682 in Tbilisi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Alba Iulia pays 45% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $33.00 in Alba Iulia vs $39.00 in Tbilisi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $194 vs $232 per month, with Alba Iulia cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Alba Iulia vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tbilisi cheaper than Alba Iulia?
Alba Iulia is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 32% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Alba Iulia or Tbilisi?
Average pay runs 45% higher in Alba Iulia, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Alba Iulia and Tbilisi?
Rent for a central apartment: $304 in Alba Iulia versus $682 in Tbilisi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Alba Iulia and in Tbilisi?
All in, you'll spend $942 per month in Alba Iulia versus $1,247 in Tbilisi – a 32% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Alba Iulia runs roughly 14% less than in Tbilisi. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Alba Iulia or in Tbilisi?
At $942 in Alba Iulia versus $1,247 in Tbilisi, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Alba Iulia but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Alba Iulia the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Alba Iulia or Tbilisi more family-friendly?
For families, Alba Iulia is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Tbilisi, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Alba Iulia or Tbilisi?
Safety-wise, Alba Iulia and Tbilisi are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Alba Iulia gentler on the wallet – expenses run 32% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Alba Iulia vs other spots: cost of living compared