🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $660 in Makassar versus $1,286 in Tbilisi.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $990 in Makassar versus $2,044 in Tbilisi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,319 in Makassar versus $2,802 in Tbilisi.
🌍Living in Makassar costs roughly 49% less than in Tbilisi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Makassar52% lower, Tbilisi6% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Makassar
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.75Rp 31.0K
$11.72₾30.64
-85.07%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.14Rp 162.4K
$37.88₾99.0
-75.87%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.31Rp 58.8K
$9.74₾25.48
-66.02%
Cappuccino
$1.93Rp 34.4K
$3.41₾8.93
-43.40%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47Rp 8,344
$1.06₾2.77
-55.66%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36Rp 6,423
$0.65₾1.69
-44.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.55Rp 45.4K
$2.70₾7.07
-5.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.27Rp 58.0K
$3.10₾8.10
5.48%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Makassar
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.56Rp 27.7K
$2.20₾5.75
-29.09%
White Bread(500g)
$1.05Rp 18.6K
$0.81₾2.11
29.63%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.63Rp 11.2K
$1.64₾4.28
-61.59%
Eggs
$1.50Rp 26.7K
$2.75₾7.20
-45.45%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.29Rp 111.7K
$9.01₾23.56
-30.19%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.51Rp 62.4K
$6.55₾17.13
-46.41%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.24Rp 93.1K
$12.62₾33.00
-58.48%
Apples(1kg)
$2.47Rp 43.9K
$1.67₾4.37
47.90%
Banana(1kg)
$1.40Rp 24.8K
$1.81₾4.74
-22.65%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.02Rp 35.8K
$1.93₾5.04
4.66%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.88Rp 33.5K
$2.59₾6.77
-27.41%
Potato(1kg)
$1.14Rp 20.3K
$0.87₾2.26
31.03%
Onion(1kg)
$1.59Rp 28.2K
$0.65₾1.69
144.62%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.74Rp 13.1K
$1.39₾3.64
-46.76%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.38Rp 6,834
$0.80₾2.08
-52.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.64Rp 46.9K
$3.36₾8.80
-21.43%
Wine(Bottle)
$22.51Rp 399.9K
$7.54₾19.71
198.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.84Rp 32.6K
$1.61₾4.22
14.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23Rp 39.6K
$2.25₾5.87
-0.89%
🚌 Getting Around
Makassar
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29Rp 5,159
$0.37₾0.96
-21.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$4.27Rp 75.8K
$15.11₾39.52
-71.74%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.51Rp 9,106
$1.17₾3.06
-56.41%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.35Rp 6,252
$0.80₾2.09
-56.25%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.76Rp 49.1K
$11.33₾29.63
-75.64%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.78Rp 13.9K
$1.33₾3.48
-41.35%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$15.5KRp 274.7M
$25.0K₾65.3K
-38.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.1KRp 302.9M
$22.4K₾58.5K
-23.82%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Makassar
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.7Rp 1.6M
$89.1₾233
-0.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.65Rp 47.1K
$13.25₾34.64
-80.00%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.53Rp 453.6K
$19.46₾50.9
31.19%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Makassar
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.97Rp 390.3K
$68.4₾179
-67.89%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.62Rp 401.9K
$18.68₾48.86
21.09%
Cinema Ticket
$3.42Rp 60.7K
$6.63₾17.35
-48.42%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Makassar
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$95.8Rp 1.7M
$363₾951
-73.65%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,864Rp 68.6M
$10.7K₾27.9K
-63.75%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Makassar
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.10Rp 481.4K
$104₾271
-73.82%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.75Rp 421.9K
$38.84₾102
-38.85%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$74.1Rp 1.3M
$117₾305
-36.47%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$41.26Rp 733.0K
$123₾321
-66.39%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Makassar
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$197Rp 3.5M
$682₾1,785
-71.20%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$150Rp 2.7M
$447₾1,168
-66.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$399Rp 7.1M
$1,284₾3,358
-68.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$315Rp 5.6M
$920₾2,406
-65.76%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,415Rp 25.1M
$2,487₾6,504
-43.12%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$558Rp 9.9M
$1,423₾3,721
-60.79%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Makassar
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$216Rp 3.8M
$646₾1,689
-66.49%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6
12.73
-52.87%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Makassar: August 31, 2026
Last update for Tbilisi: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $197 in Makassar and $682 in Tbilisi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Tbilisi pays 198% 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 $38.00 in Tbilisi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $198 vs $232 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 95% 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 in Tbilisi?
On paper, salaries run 198% lower in Tbilisi. 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 compared to Tbilisi?
Rent for a central apartment: $197 in Makassar versus $682 in Tbilisi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Makassar compared to Tbilisi?
A monthly transit pass in Makassar runs roughly 254% 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 in Tbilisi?
Childcare runs $95.8 in Makassar versus $363 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 in Tbilisi?
At $660 in Makassar versus $1,286 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 $660 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 95% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.