Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Arad, Romania and Tbilisi

For one person, living is cheaper in Arad: $944 a month against $1,269 in Tbilisi, rent and utilities included – about $3,900 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Arad, Romania
Tbilisi, Georgia
Arad
🇷🇴 Romania
$944
/mo nomad
Tbilisi
🇬🇪 Georgia
$1,269
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Arad and in Tbilisi

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Arad and in Tbilisi actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $944 per month in Arad vs $1,269 in Tbilisi, rent included.

  • Arad $944
  • Tbilisi $1,269

A couple spends around $1,403 per month in Arad vs $2,016 in Tbilisi, rent included.

  • Arad $1,403
  • Tbilisi $2,016

A family of three spends $1,862 per month in Arad vs $2,763 in Tbilisi, rent included.

  • Arad $1,862
  • Tbilisi $2,763

Arad is about 26% cheaper than Tbilisi, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Both Arad and Tbilisi are more affordable than the global median – Arad 31% lower, Tbilisi 7% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Arad
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.53 RON 41.02
$11.63 ₾30.07
-26.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.88 RON 158
$37.83 ₾97.8
-13.08%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.33 RON 35.23
$9.66 ₾24.98
-24.12%
Cappuccino
$2.50 RON 12.03
$3.57 ₾9.24
-29.97%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50 RON 7.21
$1.08 ₾2.78
38.89%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.53 RON 7.36
$0.56 ₾1.45
173.21%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.07 RON 9.95
$2.62 ₾6.78
-20.99%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49 RON 11.97
$3.04 ₾7.85
-18.09%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Arad
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.17 RON 5.64
$2.17 ₾5.60
-46.08%
White Bread (500g)
$1.23 RON 5.91
$0.80 ₾2.06
53.75%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.74 RON 8.36
$1.74 ₾4.51
-
Eggs
$2.68 RON 12.88
$2.83 ₾7.31
-5.30%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.29 RON 35.03
$9.31 ₾24.07
-21.70%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.94 RON 23.74
$6.52 ₾16.85
-24.23%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.10 RON 48.52
$12.95 ₾33.50
-22.01%
Apples (1kg)
$1.68 RON 8.10
$1.68 ₾4.34
-
Banana (1kg)
$1.75 RON 8.41
$1.85 ₾4.79
-5.41%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.72 RON 8.26
$1.97 ₾5.10
-12.69%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.41 RON 6.77
$2.42 ₾6.25
-41.74%
Potato (1kg)
$0.79 RON 3.77
$0.82 ₾2.11
-3.66%
Onion (1kg)
$0.87 RON 4.17
$0.74 ₾1.91
17.57%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.21 RON 5.82
$1.34 ₾3.47
-9.70%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.81 RON 3.91
$0.77 ₾2.00
5.19%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.91 RON 28.38
$3.57 ₾9.24
65.55%
Wine (Bottle)
$5.86 RON 28.16
$7.67 ₾19.83
-23.60%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.23 RON 5.92
$1.70 ₾4.39
-27.65%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 RON 8.43
$2.40 ₾6.21
-27.08%
🚌 Getting Around
Arad
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.86 RON 4.12
$0.40 ₾1.05
115.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$21.94 RON 105
$15.23 ₾39.38
44.06%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.78 RON 3.74
$1.14 ₾2.95
-31.58%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.03 RON 4.93
$0.78 ₾2.02
32.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.33 RON 49.65
$11.83 ₾30.58
-12.68%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.86 RON 8.96
$1.45 ₾3.75
28.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.2K RON 135.7K
$24.6K ₾63.6K
14.87%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.4K RON 122.2K
$22.3K ₾57.8K
13.87%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Arad
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$125 RON 598
$88.8 ₾230
40.24%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.33 RON 40.03
$13.12 ₾33.93
-36.51%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.13 RON 34.27
$19.67 ₾50.9
-63.75%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Arad
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$35.51 RON 171
$64.1 ₾166
-44.56%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$31.53 RON 152
$19.04 ₾49.24
65.60%
Cinema Ticket
$5.24 RON 25.20
$7.12 ₾18.42
-26.40%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Arad
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$160 RON 768
$375 ₾971
-57.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,827 RON 18.4K
$10.5K ₾27.1K
-63.45%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Arad
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.21 RON 198
$104 ₾268
-60.24%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.08 RON 101
$39.26 ₾102
-46.31%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$68.7 RON 330
$117 ₾303
-41.43%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.2 RON 352
$122 ₾315
-39.85%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Arad
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$420 RON 2,017
$695 ₾1,798
-39.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$296 RON 1,422
$451 ₾1,167
-34.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$512 RON 2,460
$1,355 ₾3,504
-62.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$417 RON 2,004
$906 ₾2,343
-53.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,825 RON 8,772
$2,295 ₾5,934
-20.46%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,309 RON 6,291
$1,345 ₾3,478
-2.67%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Arad
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$923 RON 4,435
$664 ₾1,718
38.94%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.35
12.62
-41.76%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Arad: October 25, 2026

Last update for Tbilisi: October 27, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Arad
$296
Tbilisi
$451 52.4% $155
Groceries & Markets
Arad
$191
Tbilisi
$234 22.2% $43
Eating Out
Arad
$148
Tbilisi
$191 29% $43
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Arad
$140
Tbilisi
$122 13.1% $18
Clothing & Footwear
Arad
$92
Tbilisi
$172 87% $80
Sport & Entertainment
Arad
$46
Tbilisi
$78 70.3% $32
Getting Around
Arad
$31
Tbilisi
$22 30% $9.4

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $420 in Arad versus $695 in Tbilisi. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 39% higher in Arad, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $33 in Arad versus $38 in Tbilisi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $191 vs $234 – making Arad the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇷🇴 Arad
🇬🇪 Tbilisi
🕒 Local time
00:11 12:11 AM
02:11 2:11 AM
2 h ahead of Arad
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
159,074
1,241,700 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

GEL, USD, EUR to RON – Romanian Leu Converter

Romanian Leu exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 4.81 RON (1 RON = 0.208 USD). 1 EUR = 5.35 RON (1 RON = 0.187 EUR).

Georgian Lari exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 2.59 GEL (1 GEL = 0.387 USD). 1 EUR = 2.88 GEL (1 GEL = 0.347 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Arad Tbilisi 1,940 km ≈ 3 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Arad
  • Tbilisi

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Arad vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Arad or Tbilisi?
Tbilisi costs about 34% more than Arad, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from clothing. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Arad and in Tbilisi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,417 per month in Arad and $1,904 in Tbilisi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Arad or Tbilisi?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Arad, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $420 there versus $695 in Tbilisi.
How do dining costs compare in Arad and in Tbilisi?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $33 in Arad and $38 in Tbilisi. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Arad compared to Tbilisi?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $944 in Arad and $1,269 in Tbilisi. That makes Arad about 26% cheaper.
Can you live on $800/month in Arad or in Tbilisi?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $944 in Arad and $1,269 in Tbilisi. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Arad – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Arad compared to Tbilisi?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.

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