Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Lubumbashi and Tbilisi

For one person, living costs are similar in Lubumbashi and in Tbilisi: $1,228 and $1,266 a month, rent and utilities included.

Lubumbashi
🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo
$1,228
/mo nomad
Tbilisi
🇬🇪 Georgia
$1,266
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $1,228 per month in Lubumbashi vs $1,266 in Tbilisi, rent included.

  • Lubumbashi $1,228
  • Tbilisi $1,266

A couple spends around $2,727 per month in Lubumbashi vs $2,007 in Tbilisi, rent included.

  • Lubumbashi $2,727
  • Tbilisi $2,007

A family of three spends $4,226 per month in Lubumbashi vs $2,749 in Tbilisi, rent included.

  • Lubumbashi $4,226
  • Tbilisi $2,749

Lubumbashi is about 3% cheaper than Tbilisi, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Lubumbashi and Tbilisi are more affordable than the global median – Lubumbashi 9% lower, Tbilisi 6% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lubumbashi
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.91 CDF 22.5K
$11.34 ₾29.35
-12.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$99.1 CDF 224.6K
$39.05 ₾101
153.85%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.92 CDF 22.5K
$9.63 ₾24.92
3.01%
Cappuccino
$4.03 CDF 9,131
$3.46 ₾8.95
16.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.08 CDF 2,458
$1.09 ₾2.82
-0.92%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.63 ₾1.62
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.99 CDF 4,508
$2.77 ₾7.17
-28.16%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.54 CDF 5,756
$3.10 ₾8.04
-18.06%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lubumbashi
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.96 CDF 4,446
$2.25 ₾5.81
-12.89%
White Bread (500g)
$1.22 CDF 2,764
$0.80 ₾2.07
52.50%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.18 CDF 7,204
$1.76 ₾4.55
80.68%
Eggs
$2.10 CDF 4,761
$2.75 ₾7.11
-23.64%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.77 CDF 33.5K
$9.39 ₾24.32
57.29%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.70 CDF 17.4K
$6.66 ₾17.23
15.62%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.52 CDF 35.2K
$12.92 ₾33.45
20.12%
Apples (1kg)
$4.96 CDF 11.2K
$1.67 ₾4.31
197.01%
Banana (1kg)
$3.07 CDF 6,960
$1.80 ₾4.65
70.56%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.88 CDF 11.1K
$1.92 ₾4.97
154.17%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.98 CDF 6,745
$2.41 ₾6.24
23.65%
Potato (1kg)
$2.56 CDF 5,810
$0.86 ₾2.23
197.67%
Onion (1kg)
$2.66 CDF 6,020
$0.69 ₾1.80
285.51%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.98 CDF 2,220
$1.40 ₾3.62
-30.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.22 CDF 2,774
$0.71 ₾1.85
71.83%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.07 CDF 9,227
$3.51 ₾9.08
15.95%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.73 CDF 28.8K
$7.61 ₾19.69
67.28%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.15 CDF 2,600
$1.63 ₾4.21
-29.45%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.08 CDF 4,719
$2.31 ₾5.98
-9.96%
🚌 Getting Around
Lubumbashi
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.01 CDF 2,289
$0.37 ₾0.96
172.97%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$15.67 ₾40.57
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.47 CDF 10.1K
$1.14 ₾2.95
292.11%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$0.79 ₾2.05
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.87 CDF 22.4K
$11.86 ₾30.70
-16.78%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.48 CDF 3,361
$1.40 ₾3.62
5.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.1K CDF 56.8M
$24.8K ₾64.2K
1.07%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.6K CDF 69.3M
$21.9K ₾56.6K
39.90%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lubumbashi
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$99.9 CDF 226.3K
$89.1 ₾231
12.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.13 CDF 45.6K
$13.21 ₾34.19
52.38%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.3 CDF 136.6K
$19.76 ₾51.1
205.16%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lubumbashi
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$73.6 CDF 166.8K
$64.9 ₾168
13.42%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.02 ₾49.24
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$6.57 ₾17.02
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lubumbashi
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$132 CDF 297.9K
$377 ₾975
-65.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,456 CDF 10.1M
$10.8K ₾27.9K
-58.73%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lubumbashi
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.35 CDF 50.6K
$102 ₾265
-78.13%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.55 CDF 51.1K
$39.70 ₾103
-43.20%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$59.1 CDF 133.9K
$118 ₾305
-49.85%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.5 CDF 196.0K
$123 ₾320
-29.93%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lubumbashi
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$862 CDF 2.0M
$666 ₾1,724
29.44%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$376 CDF 851.7K
$449 ₾1,163
-16.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,522 CDF 5.7M
$1,284 ₾3,324
96.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,051 CDF 4.6M
$890 ₾2,303
130.52%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,012 CDF 2.3M
$2,425 ₾6,276
-58.26%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$499 CDF 1.1M
$1,380 ₾3,573
-63.85%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lubumbashi
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,064 CDF 2.4M
$680 ₾1,760
56.57%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
12.62
-

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

Last update for Lubumbashi: October 13, 2026

Last update for Tbilisi: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Lubumbashi
$376
Tbilisi
$449 19.5% $73
Groceries & Markets
Lubumbashi
$327
Tbilisi
$234 28.5% $93
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lubumbashi
$180
Tbilisi
$122 32.3% $58
Eating Out
Lubumbashi
$177 *
Tbilisi
$188 6.4% $11
Clothing & Footwear
Lubumbashi
$86
Tbilisi
$172 101% $87
Sport & Entertainment
Lubumbashi
$74 *
Tbilisi
$78 6% $4.4
Getting Around
Lubumbashi
$8.5 *
Tbilisi
$22 162% $14

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $862 in Lubumbashi 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 57% higher in Lubumbashi, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $99.0 in Lubumbashi versus $39.00 in Tbilisi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $327 vs $234 – making Tbilisi the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇩 Lubumbashi
🇬🇪 Tbilisi
🕒 Local time
20:49 8:49 PM
22:49 10:49 PM
2 h ahead of Lubumbashi
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,139,064
1,241,700 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

GEL, USD, EUR to CDF – Congolese Franc Converter

Congolese Franc exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 2,265 CDF (10,000 CDF = 4.41 USD). 1 EUR = 2,547 CDF (10,000 CDF = 3.93 EUR).

Georgian Lari exchange rates as of October 19, 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
  • Lubumbashi Tbilisi 6,190 km ≈ 8 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Lubumbashi
  • 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
Lubumbashi vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Lubumbashi and in Tbilisi compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,228 in Lubumbashi, $1,266 in Tbilisi – roughly 3% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in Lubumbashi compared to Tbilisi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,842 per month in Lubumbashi and $1,899 in Tbilisi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Lubumbashi and Tbilisi?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Lubumbashi, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lubumbashi or Tbilisi?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,228 in Lubumbashi and $1,266 in Tbilisi. That's a gap of about 3%.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Lubumbashi and Tbilisi?
Kindergarten costs $132 per month in Lubumbashi and $377 in Tbilisi. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Lubumbashi, where all-in costs run around $1,228, than in Tbilisi at $1,266. In Lubumbashi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tbilisi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Lubumbashi and Tbilisi?
It depends on your priorities. Tbilisi has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,228 in Lubumbashi to $1,266 in Tbilisi. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Lubumbashi or Tbilisi safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Lubumbashi and Tbilisi?
If budget matters most, go with Lubumbashi. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Tbilisi makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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