๐A single person spends $1,813 per month in Dubuque, IA vs $1,199 in Tbilisi, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $2,555 per month in Dubuque, IA vs $1,833 in Tbilisi, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $3,297 per month in Dubuque, IA vs $2,466 in Tbilisi, rent included.
๐Dubuque, IA costs about 51% more than Tbilisi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
๐Dubuque, IA sits 35% above the global median, while Tbilisi is 11% below โ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Dubuque, IA
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.69$15.69
$10.86โพ29.20
44.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$50.5$50.5
$43.33โพ117
16.43%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.09$10.09
$8.25โพ22.19
22.30%
Cappuccino
$4.60$4.60
$3.10โพ8.33
48.39%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97$1.97
$0.80โพ2.15
146.25%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.03$1.03
$0.46โพ1.24
123.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.92$2.92
$2.16โพ5.81
35.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.60$4.60
$2.94โพ7.92
56.46%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Dubuque, IA
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.77$0.77
$1.93โพ5.19
-60.10%
White Bread(500g)
$2.34$2.34
$0.67โพ1.81
249.25%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.11$3.11
$1.82โพ4.91
70.88%
Eggs
$2.79$2.79
$2.56โพ6.88
8.98%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.77$9.77
$7.61โพ20.48
28.38%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.99$9.99
$6.51โพ17.50
53.46%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.10$14.10
$9.67โพ26.00
45.81%
Apples(1kg)
$3.67$3.67
$1.16โพ3.12
216.38%
Banana(1kg)
$1.16$1.16
$1.62โพ4.36
-28.40%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.56$3.56
$1.87โพ5.04
90.37%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.34$3.34
$2.33โพ6.26
43.35%
Potato(1kg)
$1.81$1.81
$0.65โพ1.75
178.46%
Onion(1kg)
$2.09$2.09
$0.63โพ1.70
231.75%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.87$1.87
$1.18โพ3.17
58.47%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.97$1.97
$0.70โพ1.90
181.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.24$8.24
$3.04โพ8.17
171.05%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.31$13.31
$7.27โพ19.56
83.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.81$1.81
$1.59โพ4.27
13.84%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.82$2.82
$2.30โพ6.18
22.61%
๐ Getting Around
Dubuque, IA
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.32$1.32
$0.36โพ0.96
266.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$44.21$44.21
$14.68โพ39.48
201.16%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.88$2.88
$1.50โพ4.03
92.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.64$1.64
$0.70โพ1.87
134.29%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$20.64$20.64
$7.35โพ19.78
180.82%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.81$0.81
$1.13โพ3.05
-28.32%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.9K$29.9K
$18.2Kโพ49.0K
64.04%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5K$22.5K
$20.2Kโพ54.5K
11.24%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dubuque, IA
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$183$183
$74.0โพ199
146.84%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$48.28$48.28
$11.87โพ31.93
306.74%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$63.8$63.8
$17.55โพ47.20
263.42%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Dubuque, IA
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$38.22$38.22
$60.3โพ162
-36.66%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$16.69โพ44.89
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.58$8.58
$6.73โพ18.10
27.49%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Dubuque, IA
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$787$787
$261โพ703
201.27%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$23.8K$23.8K
$5,146โพ13.8K
363.33%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Dubuque, IA
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.57$42.57
$77.6โพ209
-45.13%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.34$35.34
$43.48โพ117
-18.72%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$79.5$79.5
$118โพ318
-32.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$91.3$91.3
$111โพ298
-17.64%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Dubuque, IA
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$963$963
$703โพ1,891
36.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$750$750
$457โพ1,231
64.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,408$1,408
$1,346โพ3,621
4.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$966$966
$788โพ2,120
22.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,749$1,749
$2,560โพ6,885
-31.68%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,740$1,740
$1,443โพ3,881
20.57%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Dubuque, IA
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,664$4,664
$648โพ1,742
620.22%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.88
11.89
-58.96%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Dubuque, IA: April 21, 2026
Last update for Tbilisi: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $963 in Dubuque, IA versus $703 in Tbilisi. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
๐ฐSalaries run about 620% higher in Dubuque, IA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $50 in Dubuque, IA versus $43 in Tbilisi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $315 vs $206 โ making Tbilisi the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Dubuque, IA vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Dubuque, IA or Tbilisi?
Dubuque, IA costs about 51% more than Tbilisi, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Dubuque, IA vs Tbilisi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,720 per month in Dubuque, IA and $1,799 in Tbilisi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Dubuque, IA 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 expensive is transport in Dubuque, IA vs Tbilisi?
Public transport costs about 201% less in Tbilisi. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Dubuque, IA and Tbilisi?
Kindergarten costs $787 per month in Dubuque, IA and $261 in Tbilisi. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Dubuque, IA or Tbilisi?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Tbilisi, where all-in costs run around $1,199, than in Dubuque, IA at $1,813. In Tbilisi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Dubuque, IA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Dubuque, IA or Tbilisi?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Tbilisi costs $1,199 versus $1,813 in Dubuque, IA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Dubuque, IA 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 โ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Dubuque, IA or Tbilisi?
If budget matters most, go with Tbilisi. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Dubuque, IA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Dubuque, IA vs other spots: cost of living compared