Cost of Living Comparison Between Des Plaines, IL and Tbilisi Cost of Living Comparison Between Des Plaines, IL and Tbilisi

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,139 in Des Plaines, IL versus $1,286 in Tbilisi.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,292 in Des Plaines, IL versus $2,044 in Tbilisi.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,445 in Des Plaines, IL versus $2,802 in Tbilisi.

Living in Des Plaines, IL is roughly 144% more expensive than in Tbilisi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

The two cities straddle the global median: Des Plaines, IL is 128% above, Tbilisi is 6% below.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Des Plaines, IL
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.61 $19.61
$11.72 ₾30.58
67.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$89.9 $89.9
$37.88 ₾98.9
137.38%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.03 $13.03
$9.74 ₾25.43
33.78%
Cappuccino
$5.72 $5.72
$3.41 ₾8.91
67.74%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.68 $2.68
$1.06 ₾2.77
152.83%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29 $2.29
$0.65 ₾1.69
252.31%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.93 $6.93
$2.70 ₾7.06
156.67%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.64 $7.64
$3.10 ₾8.09
146.45%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Des Plaines, IL
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.00 $1.00
$2.20 ₾5.74
-54.55%
White Bread (500g)
$3.66 $3.66
$0.81 ₾2.10
351.85%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.71 $4.71
$1.64 ₾4.27
187.20%
Eggs
$4.03 $4.03
$2.75 ₾7.19
46.55%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.14 $15.14
$9.01 ₾23.52
68.04%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.42 $13.42
$6.55 ₾17.10
104.89%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.88 $19.88
$12.62 ₾32.94
57.53%
Apples (1kg)
$5.01 $5.01
$1.67 ₾4.36
200.00%
Banana (1kg)
$1.66 $1.66
$1.81 ₾4.73
-8.29%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.07 $4.07
$1.93 ₾5.04
110.88%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.88 $4.88
$2.59 ₾6.76
88.42%
Potato (1kg)
$2.81 $2.81
$0.87 ₾2.26
222.99%
Onion (1kg)
$2.78 $2.78
$0.65 ₾1.69
327.69%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.10 $2.10
$1.39 ₾3.63
51.08%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.46 $2.46
$0.80 ₾2.08
207.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.52 $10.52
$3.36 ₾8.78
213.10%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.97 $14.97
$7.54 ₾19.68
98.54%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.54 $2.54
$1.61 ₾4.21
57.76%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.39 $3.39
$2.25 ₾5.86
50.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Des Plaines, IL
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.02 $2.02
$0.37 ₾0.96
445.95%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$59.3 $59.3
$15.11 ₾39.45
292.46%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.17 $3.17
$1.17 ₾3.06
170.94%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.37 $1.37
$0.80 ₾2.09
71.25%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$22.51 $22.51
$11.33 ₾29.58
98.68%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.00 $1.00
$1.33 ₾3.47
-24.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.6K $36.6K
$25.0K ₾65.2K
46.33%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.5K $25.5K
$22.4K ₾58.4K
13.90%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Des Plaines, IL
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$193 $193
$89.1 ₾233
116.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$59.5 $59.5
$13.25 ₾34.58
349.13%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$78.2 $78.2
$19.46 ₾50.8
301.80%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Des Plaines, IL
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$122 $122
$68.4 ₾179
78.92%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$40.05 $40.05
$18.68 ₾48.77
114.40%
Cinema Ticket
$14.83 $14.83
$6.63 ₾17.32
123.68%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Des Plaines, IL
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,559 $1,559
$363 ₾949
328.92%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.0K $23.0K
$10.7K ₾27.8K
116.17%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Des Plaines, IL
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.1 $64.1
$104 ₾270
-38.08%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.7 $50.7
$38.84 ₾101
30.48%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$103 $103
$117 ₾304
-11.41%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121 $121
$123 ₾320
-1.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Des Plaines, IL
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$682 ₾1,782
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,619 $1,619
$447 ₾1,166
262.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,284 ₾3,353
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,228 $2,228
$920 ₾2,401
142.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,275 $3,275
$2,487 ₾6,492
31.67%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,480 $2,480
$1,423 ₾3,715
74.26%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Des Plaines, IL
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,177 $6,177
$646 ₾1,686
856.39%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.38
12.73
-49.88%

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

Last update for Des Plaines, IL: August 30, 2026

Last update for Tbilisi: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Des Plaines, IL pays 856% 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: $90.0 in Des Plaines, IL vs $38.00 in Tbilisi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $431 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
Des Plaines, IL vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Des Plaines, IL and in Tbilisi?
Des Plaines, IL and Tbilisi differ by about 144% in total monthly costs ($3,139 vs $1,286 including rent). Tbilisi is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Des Plaines, IL or Tbilisi?
Average pay runs 856% higher in Des Plaines, IL, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 86% higher in Des Plaines, IL. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Tbilisi – a meal for two runs $38.00 versus $90.0 in Des Plaines, IL. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,286 in Tbilisi versus $3,139 in Des Plaines, IL, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tbilisi but tight or insufficient in Des Plaines, IL. The gap between the two cities makes Tbilisi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Des Plaines, IL 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 Des Plaines, IL or Tbilisi safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Des Plaines, IL 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: Des Plaines, IL or Tbilisi?
Expats usually find Tbilisi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 144% less than in Des Plaines, IL. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Des Plaines, IL vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities