Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Columbus, OH and Tbilisi

For one person, living is cheaper in Tbilisi: $1,266 a month against $2,503 in Columbus, OH, rent and utilities included – about $14,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Columbus, OH
🇺🇸 United States
$2,503
/mo nomad
Tbilisi
🇬🇪 Georgia
$1,266
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $2,503 per month in Columbus, OH vs $1,266 in Tbilisi, rent included.

  • Columbus, OH $2,503
  • Tbilisi $1,266

A couple spends around $3,732 per month in Columbus, OH vs $2,007 in Tbilisi, rent included.

  • Columbus, OH $3,732
  • Tbilisi $2,007

A family of three spends $4,962 per month in Columbus, OH vs $2,749 in Tbilisi, rent included.

  • Columbus, OH $4,962
  • Tbilisi $2,749

Columbus, OH costs about 98% more than Tbilisi, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Columbus, OH sits 85% above the global median, while Tbilisi is 6% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Columbus, OH
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$21.60 $21.60
$11.34 ₾29.35
90.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$78.0 $78.0
$39.05 ₾101
99.69%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.02 $12.02
$9.63 ₾24.92
24.82%
Cappuccino
$5.28 $5.28
$3.46 ₾8.95
52.60%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.58 $2.58
$1.09 ₾2.82
136.70%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.08 $2.08
$0.63 ₾1.62
230.16%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.16 $6.16
$2.77 ₾7.17
122.38%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.09 $7.09
$3.10 ₾8.04
128.71%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Columbus, OH
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.91 $0.91
$2.25 ₾5.81
-59.56%
White Bread (500g)
$3.25 $3.25
$0.80 ₾2.07
306.25%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.28 $5.28
$1.76 ₾4.55
200.00%
Eggs
$3.75 $3.75
$2.75 ₾7.11
36.36%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.88 $13.88
$9.39 ₾24.32
47.82%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.88 $14.88
$6.66 ₾17.23
123.42%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.78 $15.78
$12.92 ₾33.45
22.14%
Apples (1kg)
$6.35 $6.35
$1.67 ₾4.31
280.24%
Banana (1kg)
$1.67 $1.67
$1.80 ₾4.65
-7.22%
Oranges (1kg)
$6.06 $6.06
$1.92 ₾4.97
215.63%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.64 $4.64
$2.41 ₾6.24
92.53%
Potato (1kg)
$2.93 $2.93
$0.86 ₾2.23
240.70%
Onion (1kg)
$3.41 $3.41
$0.69 ₾1.80
394.20%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.27 $2.27
$1.40 ₾3.62
62.14%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.27 $2.27
$0.71 ₾1.85
219.72%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.97 $9.97
$3.51 ₾9.08
184.05%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.23 $16.23
$7.61 ₾19.69
113.27%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.17 $2.17
$1.63 ₾4.21
33.13%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00 $3.00
$2.31 ₾5.98
29.87%
🚌 Getting Around
Columbus, OH
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.06 $2.06
$0.37 ₾0.96
456.76%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$61.6 $61.6
$15.67 ₾40.57
292.98%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.98 $2.98
$1.14 ₾2.95
161.40%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.26 $1.26
$0.79 ₾2.05
59.49%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$26.64 $26.64
$11.86 ₾30.70
124.62%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.03 $1.03
$1.40 ₾3.62
-26.43%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.5K $35.5K
$24.8K ₾64.2K
43.20%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.1K $25.1K
$21.9K ₾56.6K
14.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Columbus, OH
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$220 $220
$89.1 ₾231
146.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$66.3 $66.3
$13.21 ₾34.19
401.51%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$68.1 $68.1
$19.76 ₾51.1
244.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Columbus, OH
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$34.99 $34.99
$64.9 ₾168
-46.09%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$41.37 $41.37
$19.02 ₾49.24
117.51%
Cinema Ticket
$13.17 $13.17
$6.57 ₾17.02
100.46%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Columbus, OH
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,600 $1,600
$377 ₾975
324.54%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$34.8K $34.8K
$10.8K ₾27.9K
222.77%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Columbus, OH
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.12 $49.12
$102 ₾265
-51.93%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.04 $41.04
$39.70 ₾103
3.38%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$80.0 $80.0
$118 ₾305
-32.10%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107 $107
$123 ₾320
-13.18%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Columbus, OH
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,563 $1,563
$666 ₾1,724
134.68%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,116 $1,116
$449 ₾1,163
148.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,310 $2,310
$1,284 ₾3,324
79.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,879 $1,879
$890 ₾2,303
111.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,474 $3,474
$2,425 ₾6,276
43.30%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,740 $1,740
$1,380 ₾3,573
26.09%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Columbus, OH
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,733 $3,733
$680 ₾1,760
449.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.64
12.62
-47.39%

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

Last update for Columbus, OH: October 11, 2026

Last update for Tbilisi: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Columbus, OH
$1.1K
Tbilisi
$449 59.8% $667
Groceries & Markets
Columbus, OH
$432
Tbilisi
$234 45.8% $198
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Columbus, OH
$354
Tbilisi
$122 65.5% $232
Eating Out
Columbus, OH
$336
Tbilisi
$188 44% $148
Clothing & Footwear
Columbus, OH
$125
Tbilisi
$172 38.1% $48
Getting Around
Columbus, OH
$79
Tbilisi
$22 71.9% $57
Sport & Entertainment
Columbus, OH
$61
Tbilisi
$78 27.3% $17

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,563 in Columbus, OH versus $666 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 449% higher in Columbus, OH, 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 $78.0 in Columbus, OH versus $39.00 in Tbilisi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $432 vs $234 – making Tbilisi the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Columbus, OH
🇬🇪 Tbilisi
🕒 Local time
00:36 12:36 AM
08:36 8:36 AM
8 h ahead of Columbus, OH
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
905,748
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
  • Columbus, OH Tbilisi 9,520 km ≈ 12 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Columbus, OH
  • 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
Columbus, OH vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Columbus, OH or Tbilisi?
Columbus, OH costs about 98% more than Tbilisi, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 Columbus, OH and in Tbilisi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,754 per month in Columbus, OH and $1,899 in Tbilisi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Columbus, OH or Tbilisi?
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.
How much does it cost to live in Columbus, OH compared to Tbilisi?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,503 in Columbus, OH and $1,266 in Tbilisi. That's a gap of about 98%.
How expensive is transport in Columbus, OH compared to Tbilisi?
Public transport costs about 293% less in Tbilisi. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Columbus, OH or in Tbilisi?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Tbilisi, where all-in costs run around $1,266, than in Columbus, OH at $2,503. In Tbilisi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Columbus, OH it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Columbus, OH or Tbilisi?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Tbilisi costs $1,266 versus $2,503 in Columbus, OH. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Columbus, OH compared to 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.
Should I move to Columbus, OH or to Tbilisi?
If budget matters most, go with Tbilisi. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Columbus, OH makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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