Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Bethesda, MD and Tbilisi

For one person, living is cheaper in Tbilisi: $1,270 a month against $3,141 in Bethesda, MD, rent and utilities included – about $22,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Bethesda, MD
🇺🇸 United States
$3,141
/mo nomad
Tbilisi
🇬🇪 Georgia
$1,270
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Bethesda, MD 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 Bethesda, MD and in Tbilisi actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $3,141 per month in Bethesda, MD vs $1,270 in Tbilisi, rent included.

  • Bethesda, MD $3,141
  • Tbilisi $1,270

A couple spends around $4,927 per month in Bethesda, MD vs $2,008 in Tbilisi, rent included.

  • Bethesda, MD $4,927
  • Tbilisi $2,008

A family of three spends $6,712 per month in Bethesda, MD vs $2,745 in Tbilisi, rent included.

  • Bethesda, MD $6,712
  • Tbilisi $2,745

Bethesda, MD costs about 147% more than Tbilisi, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Bethesda, MD sits 132% above the global median, while Tbilisi is 6% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bethesda, MD
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$22.20 $22.20
$11.51 ₾29.79
92.88%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$101 $101
$38.27 ₾99.1
163.97%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.92 $10.92
$9.80 ₾25.36
11.43%
Cappuccino
$5.62 $5.62
$3.55 ₾9.19
58.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.03 $3.03
$1.06 ₾2.74
185.85%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.39 $2.39
$0.62 ₾1.60
285.48%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.86 $6.86
$2.76 ₾7.16
148.55%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.19 $9.19
$3.00 ₾7.77
206.33%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bethesda, MD
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.15 $1.15
$2.16 ₾5.59
-46.76%
White Bread (500g)
$4.35 $4.35
$0.76 ₾1.96
472.37%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.75 $3.75
$1.74 ₾4.51
115.52%
Eggs
$4.50 $4.50
$2.79 ₾7.21
61.29%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.64 $16.64
$9.20 ₾23.83
80.87%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$15.90 $15.90
$6.53 ₾16.89
143.49%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$22.88 $22.88
$12.81 ₾33.17
78.61%
Apples (1kg)
$5.58 $5.58
$1.67 ₾4.31
234.13%
Banana (1kg)
$1.36 $1.36
$1.85 ₾4.79
-26.49%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.04 $4.04
$1.98 ₾5.13
104.04%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.31 $4.31
$2.51 ₾6.49
71.71%
Potato (1kg)
$2.17 $2.17
$0.87 ₾2.26
149.43%
Onion (1kg)
$2.66 $2.66
$0.73 ₾1.89
264.38%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.29 $2.29
$1.42 ₾3.67
61.27%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.57 $2.57
$0.72 ₾1.88
256.94%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.66 $9.66
$3.38 ₾8.74
185.80%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.84 $17.84
$7.84 ₾20.31
127.55%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75 $1.75
$1.62 ₾4.19
8.02%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91 $2.91
$2.38 ₾6.15
22.27%
🚌 Getting Around
Bethesda, MD
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.04 $3.04
$0.37 ₾0.96
721.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$99.1 $99.1
$15.52 ₾40.16
538.72%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.94 $3.94
$1.14 ₾2.94
245.61%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.22 $1.22
$0.79 ₾2.05
54.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$24.91 $24.91
$11.57 ₾29.96
115.30%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.92 $0.92
$1.50 ₾3.87
-38.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.2K $23.2K
$24.6K ₾63.7K
-5.71%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.9K $23.9K
$22.4K ₾57.9K
6.83%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bethesda, MD
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$167 $167
$88.3 ₾228
88.67%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$38.68 $38.68
$13.08 ₾33.86
195.72%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$62.6 $62.6
$19.53 ₾50.6
220.58%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bethesda, MD
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$105 $105
$64.2 ₾166
63.17%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.93 $29.93
$19.18 ₾49.66
56.05%
Cinema Ticket
$16.04 $16.04
$6.99 ₾18.10
129.47%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bethesda, MD
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,611 $1,611
$373 ₾966
331.82%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$36.6K $36.6K
$10.7K ₾27.7K
241.96%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bethesda, MD
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.3 $56.3
$103 ₾266
-45.17%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$57.8 $57.8
$40.48 ₾105
42.66%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$101 $101
$116 ₾301
-13.57%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$148 $148
$122 ₾316
21.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bethesda, MD
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,276 $2,276
$677 ₾1,753
236.19%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,638 $1,638
$454 ₾1,176
260.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,975 $3,975
$1,277 ₾3,305
211.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,209 $3,209
$890 ₾2,304
260.65%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,921 $5,921
$2,410 ₾6,238
145.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,355 $5,355
$1,418 ₾3,670
277.74%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bethesda, MD
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$8,587 $8,587
$703 ₾1,819
1121.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.79
12.62
-46.20%

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

Last update for Bethesda, MD: October 18, 2026

Last update for Tbilisi: October 17, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Bethesda, MD
$1.6K
Tbilisi
$454 72.3% $1.2K
Groceries & Markets
Bethesda, MD
$462
Tbilisi
$233 49.6% $229
Eating Out
Bethesda, MD
$352
Tbilisi
$191 45.9% $162
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bethesda, MD
$268
Tbilisi
$121 54.9% $147
Clothing & Footwear
Bethesda, MD
$163
Tbilisi
$172 5.3% $8.6
Sport & Entertainment
Bethesda, MD
$137
Tbilisi
$78 42.9% $59
Getting Around
Bethesda, MD
$121
Tbilisi
$22 81.8% $99

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,276 in Bethesda, MD versus $677 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 1122% higher in Bethesda, MD, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $101 in Bethesda, MD versus $38.00 in Tbilisi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $462 vs $233 – making Tbilisi the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Bethesda, MD
🇬🇪 Tbilisi
🕒 Local time
07:39 7:39 AM
15:39 3:39 PM
8 h ahead of Bethesda, MD
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
60,858
1,241,700 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

GEL, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Georgian Lari exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 2.59 GEL (1 GEL = 0.386 USD). 1 EUR = 2.91 GEL (1 GEL = 0.344 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Bethesda, MD Tbilisi 9,300 km ≈ 12 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Bethesda, MD
  • 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
Bethesda, MD vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tbilisi cheaper than Bethesda, MD?
Yes – Bethesda, MD is pricier by about 147%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,711 per month in Bethesda, MD and $1,906 in Tbilisi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Tbilisi, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Is eating out cheaper in Bethesda, MD or in Tbilisi?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $101 in Bethesda, MD and $38.00 in Tbilisi. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Bethesda, MD and in Tbilisi?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,141 in Bethesda, MD and $1,270 in Tbilisi. That's a gap of about 147%.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Bethesda, MD or in Tbilisi?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Tbilisi, where all-in costs run around $1,270, than in Bethesda, MD at $3,141. In Tbilisi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Bethesda, MD it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Bethesda, MD or Tbilisi more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Tbilisi – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Bethesda, MD or Tbilisi?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Tbilisi. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bethesda, MD makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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