🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $583 in Bukit Mertajam versus $1,247 in Tbilisi.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $933 in Bukit Mertajam versus $2,025 in Tbilisi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,283 in Bukit Mertajam versus $2,803 in Tbilisi.
🌍Living in Bukit Mertajam costs roughly 53% less than in Tbilisi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Bukit Mertajam57% lower, Tbilisi9% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bukit Mertajam
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.47MYR 14.20
$11.33₾29.44
-69.37%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.02MYR 86.0
$38.71₾101
-45.70%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.90MYR 20.04
$9.52₾24.72
-48.53%
Cappuccino
$2.67MYR 10.91
$3.41₾8.85
-21.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.82MYR 3.36
$1.04₾2.71
-21.15%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32MYR 1.32
$0.64₾1.66
-50.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.43MYR 9.96
$2.61₾6.79
-6.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.43MYR 18.14
$3.24₾8.43
36.73%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bukit Mertajam
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.16MYR 8.83
$2.17₾5.65
-0.46%
White Bread(500g)
$1.07MYR 4.40
$0.74₾1.92
44.59%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.75MYR 7.17
$1.71₾4.45
2.34%
Eggs
$2.58MYR 10.55
$2.83₾7.36
-8.83%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.63MYR 64.0
$9.22₾23.95
69.52%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.86MYR 19.89
$6.76₾17.55
-28.11%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.02MYR 41.02
$12.77₾33.17
-21.53%
Apples(1kg)
$2.33MYR 9.55
$1.64₾4.26
42.07%
Banana(1kg)
$1.49MYR 6.10
$1.77₾4.60
-15.82%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.25MYR 9.20
$1.87₾4.85
20.32%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.20MYR 4.90
$2.44₾6.34
-50.82%
Potato(1kg)
$0.86MYR 3.54
$0.87₾2.25
-1.15%
Onion(1kg)
$0.80MYR 3.26
$0.65₾1.70
23.08%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.71MYR 2.91
$1.40₾3.64
-49.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63MYR 2.57
$0.74₾1.93
-14.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.45MYR 18.19
$3.41₾8.86
30.50%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.98MYR 77.7
$7.60₾19.75
149.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.43MYR 9.95
$1.70₾4.41
42.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80MYR 15.54
$2.38₾6.20
59.66%
🚌 Getting Around
Bukit Mertajam
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.36₾0.94
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$15.24₾39.60
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.22MYR 4.98
$1.18₾3.07
3.39%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.50MYR 2.05
$0.76₾1.97
-34.21%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.99MYR 20.40
$11.34₾29.46
-56.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.82MYR 3.34
$1.33₾3.46
-38.35%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$42.3KMYR 173.2K
$24.7K₾64.2K
71.10%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.2KMYR 144.0K
$22.0K₾57.2K
59.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bukit Mertajam
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$50.8MYR 208
$88.9₾231
-42.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.67MYR 35.49
$13.33₾34.63
-34.96%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.31MYR 128
$20.12₾52.3
55.62%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bukit Mertajam
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$68.7₾178
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.09₾47.00
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.57MYR 18.72
$6.72₾17.45
-31.99%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bukit Mertajam
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$242MYR 989
$374₾971
-35.29%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,890MYR 20.0K
$10.7K₾27.8K
-54.29%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bukit Mertajam
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.7MYR 220
$101₾263
-46.94%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.48MYR 141
$39.33₾102
-12.33%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$72.5MYR 297
$118₾305
-38.32%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.2MYR 398
$122₾318
-20.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bukit Mertajam
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$682₾1,773
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$456₾1,186
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,303₾3,384
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$899₾2,337
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,449₾6,364
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,452₾3,773
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bukit Mertajam
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$555MYR 2,270
$652₾1,695
-14.97%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.2
12.62
-66.72%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bukit Mertajam: September 12, 2026
Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Tbilisi pays 18% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $21.00 in Bukit Mertajam vs $39.00 in Tbilisi. Groceries flip the comparison at $259 vs $232, with Tbilisi cheaper for home cooking.
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
Bukit Mertajam vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Bukit Mertajam and in Tbilisi?
Bukit Mertajam and Tbilisi differ by about 114% in total monthly costs ($583 vs $1,247 including rent). Bukit Mertajam is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 18% lower in Tbilisi. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Tbilisi pay roughly 11% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more expensive overall: Bukit Mertajam or Tbilisi?
All in, you'll spend $583 per month in Bukit Mertajam versus $1,247 in Tbilisi – a 114% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $583 in Bukit Mertajam versus $1,247 in Tbilisi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Bukit Mertajam but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Bukit Mertajam the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Bukit Mertajam and Tbilisi?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Bukit Mertajam or Tbilisi safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Bukit Mertajam 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.
Where should expats move: Bukit Mertajam or Tbilisi?
Expats usually find Bukit Mertajam gentler on the wallet – expenses run 114% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Bukit Mertajam vs other spots: cost of living compared