๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,395 in Kaลกtela versus $1,209 in Tbilisi.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,164 in Kaลกtela versus $1,867 in Tbilisi.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,932 in Kaลกtela versus $2,526 in Tbilisi.
๐Living in Kaลกtela is roughly 15% more expensive than Tbilisi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐The two cities straddle the global median: Kaลกtela is 4% above, Tbilisi is 10% below.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Kaลกtela
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.28โฌ14.00
$10.80โพ28.71
50.74%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.7โฌ69.4
$43.18โพ115
86.80%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.51โฌ8.18
$8.29โพ22.04
14.72%
Cappuccino
$2.81โฌ2.42
$3.00โพ7.97
-6.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.56โฌ3.06
$0.82โพ2.17
334.15%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64โฌ2.27
$0.46โพ1.21
473.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.60โฌ3.96
$2.23โพ5.93
106.28%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.74โฌ3.22
$2.92โพ7.75
28.08%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Kaลกtela
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38โฌ1.19
$1.93โพ5.12
-28.50%
White Bread(500g)
$1.55โฌ1.33
$0.68โพ1.81
127.94%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.03โฌ2.61
$1.88โพ5.00
61.17%
Eggs
$3.81โฌ3.27
$2.54โพ6.74
50.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.59โฌ8.25
$7.42โพ19.70
29.25%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.76โฌ8.40
$6.19โพ16.44
57.67%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.55โฌ10.80
$9.36โพ24.87
34.08%
Apples(1kg)
$1.69โฌ1.46
$1.22โพ3.25
38.52%
Banana(1kg)
$1.65โฌ1.42
$1.66โพ4.40
-0.60%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.12โฌ1.82
$1.80โพ4.78
17.78%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.36โฌ2.03
$2.24โพ5.96
5.36%
Potato(1kg)
$1.51โฌ1.30
$0.71โพ1.89
112.68%
Onion(1kg)
$1.45โฌ1.25
$0.67โพ1.79
116.42%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.42โฌ1.22
$1.18โพ3.13
20.34%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.26โฌ1.08
$0.66โพ1.76
90.91%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.74โฌ4.94
$2.98โพ7.91
92.62%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.34โฌ6.31
$7.61โพ20.22
-3.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37โฌ1.18
$1.54โพ4.08
-11.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.18โฌ1.01
$2.25โพ5.99
-47.56%
๐ Getting Around
Kaลกtela
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.33โฌ2.00
$0.36โพ0.95
547.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$37.76โฌ32.48
$14.44โพ38.38
161.50%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.44โฌ2.96
$1.49โพ3.97
130.87%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.04โฌ1.76
$0.68โพ1.82
200.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.29โฌ7.99
$7.23โพ19.20
28.49%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.70โฌ1.47
$1.14โพ3.04
49.12%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.5Kโฌ33.1K
$18.5Kโพ49.1K
108.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.6Kโฌ22.9K
$20.0Kโพ53.1K
33.31%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kaลกtela
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$184โฌ158
$73.7โพ196
149.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.06โฌ20.69
$11.64โพ30.92
106.70%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.56โฌ21.99
$17.84โพ47.41
43.27%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Kaลกtela
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$58.6โฌ50.4
$60.1โพ160
-2.56%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.59โฌ12.55
$16.80โพ44.65
-13.15%
Cinema Ticket
$9.29โฌ7.99
$6.60โพ17.55
40.76%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Kaลกtela
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$187โฌ161
$266โพ708
-29.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,402โฌ1,206
$5,191โพ13.8K
-72.98%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Kaลกtela
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$83.5โฌ71.8
$77.7โพ206
7.40%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.96โฌ24.05
$44.75โพ119
-37.52%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$107โฌ92.2
$117โพ310
-8.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$104โฌ89.4
$113โพ300
-7.94%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Kaลกtela
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$481โฌ414
$693โพ1,840
-30.52%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$346โฌ298
$462โพ1,227
-24.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$619โฌ532
$1,320โพ3,507
-53.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$554โฌ476
$774โพ2,057
-28.45%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,420โฌ2,942
$2,430โพ6,458
40.72%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,463โฌ2,118
$1,446โพ3,842
70.31%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Kaลกtela
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$926โฌ797
$673โพ1,788
37.63%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.35
11.89
-63.41%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kaลกtela: May 31, 2026
Last update for Tbilisi: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $481 in Kaลกtela and $693 in Tbilisi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐKaลกtela pays 38% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
๐Dining out: $81.0 in Kaลกtela vs $43.00 in Tbilisi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $263 vs $203 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
Kaลกtela vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Kaลกtela and Tbilisi?
Kaลกtela and Tbilisi differ by about 15% in total monthly costs ($1,395 vs $1,209 including rent). Tbilisi is meaningfully more affordable โ a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Kaลกtela or Tbilisi?
Kaลกtela pays 38% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Kaลกtela and Tbilisi?
Rent for a central apartment: $481 in Kaลกtela versus $693 in Tbilisi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Kaลกtela and Tbilisi?
A monthly transit pass in Tbilisi runs roughly 161% less than in Kaลกtela. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Kaลกtela and Tbilisi?
Childcare runs $187 in Kaลกtela versus $266 in Tbilisi. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,209 in Tbilisi versus $1,395 in Kaลกtela, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tbilisi but tight or insufficient in Kaลกtela. The gap between the two cities makes Tbilisi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Kaลกtela and Tbilisi?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better โ the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Kaลกtela or Tbilisi safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Kaลกtela 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: Kaลกtela or Tbilisi?
Expats usually find Tbilisi gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 15% less than in Kaลกtela. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.