😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,095 in Mechelen versus $1,247 in Tbilisi.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,282 in Mechelen versus $2,025 in Tbilisi.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,469 in Mechelen versus $2,803 in Tbilisi.
🌍Living in Mechelen is roughly 68% more expensive than in Tbilisi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mechelen is 53% above, Tbilisi is 9% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mechelen
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$23.49€20.47
$11.33₾29.45
107.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$108€94.1
$38.71₾101
178.87%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.92€12.13
$9.52₾24.73
46.22%
Cappuccino
$4.56€3.97
$3.41₾8.85
33.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.62€3.16
$1.04₾2.71
248.08%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95€2.57
$0.64₾1.66
360.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.57€4.86
$2.61₾6.79
113.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.90€5.15
$3.24₾8.43
82.10%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mechelen
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.19€1.03
$2.17₾5.65
-45.16%
White Bread(500g)
$2.78€2.42
$0.74₾1.92
275.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.21€1.93
$1.71₾4.45
29.24%
Eggs
$3.89€3.40
$2.83₾7.36
37.46%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.58€15.32
$9.22₾23.95
90.67%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.50€10.90
$6.76₾17.55
84.91%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$20.60€17.95
$12.77₾33.17
61.32%
Apples(1kg)
$2.78€2.42
$1.64₾4.26
69.51%
Banana(1kg)
$2.53€2.20
$1.77₾4.60
42.94%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.69€2.35
$1.87₾4.85
43.85%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.04€2.65
$2.44₾6.34
24.59%
Potato(1kg)
$2.24€1.95
$0.87₾2.25
157.47%
Onion(1kg)
$2.02€1.76
$0.65₾1.70
210.77%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.42€1.24
$1.40₾3.64
1.43%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.05€0.92
$0.74₾1.93
41.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.44€11.72
$3.41₾8.86
294.13%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.10€7.93
$7.60₾19.75
19.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78€1.55
$1.70₾4.41
4.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29€2.00
$2.38₾6.20
-3.78%
🚌 Getting Around
Mechelen
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.50€3.05
$0.36₾0.94
872.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$56.9€49.58
$15.24₾39.60
273.23%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.83€5.08
$1.18₾3.07
394.07%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.85€2.48
$0.76₾1.97
275.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$45.57€39.73
$11.34₾29.47
301.85%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.07€1.80
$1.33₾3.46
55.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.9K€31.3K
$24.7K₾64.2K
45.35%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.9K€29.6K
$22.0K₾57.2K
54.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mechelen
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$215€188
$88.9₾231
142.37%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.89€19.08
$13.33₾34.63
64.22%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$48.30€42.10
$20.12₾52.3
140.06%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mechelen
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.43€26.53
$68.7₾178
-55.69%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.05€12.25
$18.09₾47.01
-22.33%
Cinema Ticket
$15.69€13.67
$6.72₾17.46
133.48%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mechelen
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$574€500
$374₾971
53.60%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$21.8K€19.0K
$10.7K₾27.8K
103.66%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mechelen
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$112€97.2
$101₾263
10.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.5€44.90
$39.33₾102
30.97%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$109€95.3
$118₾305
-6.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$149€130
$122₾318
21.66%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mechelen
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$977€852
$682₾1,773
43.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$794€692
$456₾1,186
73.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,455€1,268
$1,303₾3,385
11.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,294€1,128
$899₾2,337
43.83%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,279€4,602
$2,449₾6,365
115.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,705€3,230
$1,452₾3,774
155.10%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mechelen
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,282€1,989
$652₾1,695
249.75%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.46
12.62
-72.58%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mechelen: September 15, 2026
Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $977 in Mechelen and $682 in Tbilisi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Mechelen pays 250% 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: $108 in Mechelen vs $39.00 in Tbilisi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $357 vs $232 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
Mechelen vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tbilisi cheaper than Mechelen?
Tbilisi is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 68% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Mechelen or Tbilisi?
Average pay runs 250% higher in Mechelen, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Mechelen and Tbilisi?
Rent for a central apartment: $977 in Mechelen versus $682 in Tbilisi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Tbilisi runs roughly 273% less than in Mechelen. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $574 in Mechelen versus $374 in Tbilisi. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Mechelen or in Tbilisi?
At $1,247 in Tbilisi versus $2,095 in Mechelen, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tbilisi but tight or insufficient in Mechelen. The gap between the two cities makes Tbilisi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Mechelen or Tbilisi more family-friendly?
For families, Tbilisi is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Mechelen, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Mechelen or Tbilisi?
Safety-wise, Mechelen 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Tbilisi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 68% less than in Mechelen. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.