😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,501 in Cluj-Napoca versus $1,247 in Tbilisi.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,224 in Cluj-Napoca versus $2,025 in Tbilisi.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,946 in Cluj-Napoca versus $2,803 in Tbilisi.
🌍Living in Cluj-Napoca is roughly 20% more expensive than in Tbilisi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Cluj-Napoca is 10% above, Tbilisi is 9% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cluj-Napoca
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.94RON 59.4
$11.33₾29.45
14.21%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$56.1RON 258
$38.71₾101
45.00%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.60RON 44.05
$9.52₾24.73
0.84%
Cappuccino
$3.89RON 17.84
$3.41₾8.85
14.08%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.51RON 11.54
$1.04₾2.71
141.35%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47RON 11.32
$0.64₾1.66
285.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.31RON 15.21
$2.61₾6.79
26.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.50RON 20.65
$3.24₾8.43
38.89%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cluj-Napoca
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.69RON 7.73
$2.17₾5.65
-22.12%
White Bread(500g)
$1.53RON 7.01
$0.74₾1.92
106.76%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.91RON 8.76
$1.71₾4.45
11.70%
Eggs
$3.87RON 17.77
$2.83₾7.36
36.75%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.87RON 45.26
$9.22₾23.95
7.05%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.54RON 34.62
$6.76₾17.55
11.54%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.94RON 54.8
$12.77₾33.17
-6.50%
Apples(1kg)
$1.51RON 6.95
$1.64₾4.26
-7.93%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77RON 8.14
$1.77₾4.60
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93RON 8.85
$1.87₾4.85
3.21%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.64RON 12.13
$2.44₾6.34
8.20%
Potato(1kg)
$0.94RON 4.29
$0.87₾2.25
8.05%
Onion(1kg)
$1.00RON 4.57
$0.65₾1.70
53.85%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.00RON 4.60
$1.40₾3.64
-28.57%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.01RON 4.65
$0.74₾1.93
36.49%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.50RON 29.83
$3.41₾8.86
90.62%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.62RON 34.94
$7.60₾19.75
0.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33RON 6.11
$1.70₾4.41
-21.76%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.78RON 8.15
$2.38₾6.20
-25.21%
🚌 Getting Around
Cluj-Napoca
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.80RON 3.67
$0.36₾0.94
122.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$31.77RON 146
$15.24₾39.60
108.46%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.96RON 4.41
$1.18₾3.07
-18.64%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.01RON 4.66
$0.76₾1.97
32.89%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.80RON 40.39
$11.34₾29.47
-22.40%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.91RON 8.75
$1.33₾3.46
43.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.0KRON 137.5K
$24.7K₾64.2K
21.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3KRON 120.7K
$22.0K₾57.2K
19.40%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cluj-Napoca
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$164RON 755
$88.9₾231
85.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.04RON 41.50
$13.33₾34.63
-32.18%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$10.32RON 47.36
$20.12₾52.3
-48.71%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cluj-Napoca
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.47RON 222
$68.7₾178
-29.42%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.56RON 108
$18.09₾47.01
30.24%
Cinema Ticket
$9.86RON 45.22
$6.72₾17.46
46.73%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cluj-Napoca
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$618RON 2,838
$374₾971
65.54%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.3KRON 47.1K
$10.7K₾27.8K
-3.98%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cluj-Napoca
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$93.0RON 427
$101₾263
-8.12%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.70RON 219
$39.33₾102
21.28%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103RON 473
$118₾305
-12.26%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112RON 516
$122₾318
-8.07%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cluj-Napoca
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$647RON 2,967
$682₾1,773
-5.23%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$542RON 2,486
$456₾1,186
18.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,180RON 5,416
$1,303₾3,385
-9.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$847RON 3,888
$899₾2,337
-5.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,823RON 22.1K
$2,449₾6,365
96.90%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,511RON 16.1K
$1,452₾3,774
141.75%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cluj-Napoca
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,333RON 6,118
$652₾1,695
104.40%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.8
12.62
-46.12%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Cluj-Napoca: September 14, 2026
Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $647 in Cluj-Napoca and $682 in Tbilisi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Cluj-Napoca pays 104% 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: $56.0 in Cluj-Napoca vs $39.00 in Tbilisi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $244 vs $232 per month, with Tbilisi 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
Cluj-Napoca vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tbilisi cheaper than Cluj-Napoca?
Tbilisi is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Getting Around. The 20% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Cluj-Napoca or Tbilisi?
Average pay runs 104% higher in Cluj-Napoca, 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 Cluj-Napoca and Tbilisi?
Rent for a central apartment: $647 in Cluj-Napoca versus $682 in Tbilisi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Tbilisi runs roughly 108% less than in Cluj-Napoca. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $618 in Cluj-Napoca versus $374 in Tbilisi. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Cluj-Napoca or in Tbilisi?
At $1,247 in Tbilisi versus $1,501 in Cluj-Napoca, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tbilisi but tight or insufficient in Cluj-Napoca. The gap between the two cities makes Tbilisi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Cluj-Napoca or Tbilisi more family-friendly?
For families, Tbilisi is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Cluj-Napoca, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Cluj-Napoca or Tbilisi?
Safety-wise, Cluj-Napoca 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 Tbilisi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 20% less than in Cluj-Napoca. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Cluj-Napoca vs other spots: cost of living compared