🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $662 in Makassar versus $1,209 in Tbilisi.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,005 in Makassar versus $1,867 in Tbilisi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,347 in Makassar versus $2,526 in Tbilisi.
🙂Living in Makassar costs roughly 45% less than in Tbilisi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Makassar51% lower, Tbilisi10% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Makassar
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.13Rp 55.9K
$10.80₾28.71
-71.02%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.45Rp 168.8K
$43.18₾115
-78.11%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.98Rp 53.2K
$8.29₾22.04
-64.05%
Cappuccino
$1.74Rp 31.1K
$3.00₾7.97
-42.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.71Rp 12.7K
$0.82₾2.17
-13.41%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39Rp 6,976
$0.46₾1.21
-15.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.67Rp 65.5K
$2.23₾5.93
64.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72Rp 66.4K
$2.92₾7.75
27.40%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Makassar
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.63Rp 29.1K
$1.93₾5.12
-15.54%
White Bread(500g)
$1.09Rp 19.4K
$0.68₾1.81
60.29%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.64Rp 11.5K
$1.88₾5.00
-65.96%
Eggs
$1.44Rp 25.8K
$2.54₾6.74
-43.31%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.49Rp 98.0K
$7.42₾19.70
-26.01%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.77Rp 49.5K
$6.19₾16.44
-55.25%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.36Rp 77.8K
$9.36₾24.87
-53.42%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29Rp 40.9K
$1.22₾3.25
87.70%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64Rp 29.3K
$1.66₾4.40
-1.20%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.85Rp 33.0K
$1.80₾4.78
2.78%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.57Rp 28.0K
$2.24₾5.96
-29.91%
Potato(1kg)
$1.26Rp 22.5K
$0.71₾1.89
77.46%
Onion(1kg)
$1.56Rp 27.9K
$0.67₾1.79
132.84%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.41Rp 7,381
$1.18₾3.13
-65.25%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.47Rp 8,440
$0.66₾1.76
-28.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.56Rp 45.8K
$2.98₾7.91
-14.09%
Wine(Bottle)
$22.53Rp 402.4K
$7.61₾20.22
196.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.10Rp 37.4K
$1.54₾4.08
36.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48Rp 44.3K
$2.25₾5.99
10.22%
🚌 Getting Around
Makassar
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.32Rp 5,720
$0.36₾0.95
-11.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$4.51Rp 80.5K
$14.44₾38.38
-68.77%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.56Rp 10.0K
$1.49₾3.97
-62.42%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.29Rp 5,115
$0.68₾1.82
-57.35%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.03Rp 54.1K
$7.23₾19.20
-58.09%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.78Rp 13.9K
$1.14₾3.04
-31.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$16.8KRp 299.6M
$18.5K₾49.1K
-9.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.7KRp 334.7M
$20.0K₾53.1K
-6.14%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Makassar
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$66.5Rp 1.2M
$73.7₾196
-9.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.50Rp 62.5K
$11.64₾30.92
-69.93%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.44Rp 579.2K
$17.84₾47.41
81.84%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Makassar
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.28Rp 415.8K
$60.1₾160
-61.28%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.03Rp 107.6K
$16.80₾44.65
-64.11%
Cinema Ticket
$3.16Rp 56.4K
$6.60₾17.55
-52.12%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Makassar
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$106Rp 1.9M
$266₾708
-60.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,097Rp 73.2M
$5,191₾13.8K
-21.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Makassar
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$30.05Rp 536.6K
$77.7₾206
-61.33%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.17Rp 449.4K
$44.75₾119
-43.75%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$81.8Rp 1.5M
$117₾310
-29.99%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$43.93Rp 784.5K
$113₾300
-61.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Makassar
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$212Rp 3.8M
$693₾1,840
-69.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$168Rp 3.0M
$462₾1,227
-63.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$438Rp 7.8M
$1,320₾3,507
-66.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$333Rp 5.9M
$774₾2,057
-56.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,167Rp 20.8M
$2,430₾6,458
-52.00%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$737Rp 13.2M
$1,446₾3,842
-49.03%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Makassar
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$218Rp 3.9M
$673₾1,788
-67.60%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6
11.89
-49.54%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Makassar: June 2, 2026
Last update for Tbilisi: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $212 in Makassar and $693 in Tbilisi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Tbilisi pays 209% 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: $9.00 in Makassar vs $43.00 in Tbilisi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $203 per month, with Makassar 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
Makassar vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Makassar or Tbilisi?
Makassar wins on cost – living expenses run 83% lower than in Tbilisi. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Makassar the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Makassar or Tbilisi?
On paper, Tbilisi earns 209% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Makassar vs Tbilisi?
Rent for a central apartment: $212 in Makassar versus $693 in Tbilisi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Makassar vs Tbilisi?
A monthly transit pass in Makassar runs roughly 220% less than in Tbilisi. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Makassar and Tbilisi?
Childcare runs $106 in Makassar versus $266 in Tbilisi. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Makassar or Tbilisi?
At $662 in Makassar versus $1,209 in Tbilisi, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Makassar but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Makassar the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Makassar or Tbilisi?
Both work as nomad bases, but Makassar delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $662 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Makassar hard to pass up.
How safe is Makassar compared to Tbilisi?
Safety-wise, Makassar 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.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Makassar gentler on the wallet – expenses run 83% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.