πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $2,950 in Norfolk, VA versus $1,209 in Tbilisi.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $4,097 in Norfolk, VA versus $1,867 in Tbilisi.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,243 in Norfolk, VA versus $2,526 in Tbilisi.
πLiving in Norfolk, VA is roughly 144% more expensive than Tbilisi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Norfolk, VA is 120% above, Tbilisi is 10% below.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Norfolk, VA
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.86$19.86
$10.80βΎ28.70
83.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.7$75.7
$43.18βΎ115
75.27%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.14$12.14
$8.29βΎ22.03
46.44%
Cappuccino
$5.45$5.45
$3.00βΎ7.96
81.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.27$2.27
$0.82βΎ2.17
176.83%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09$2.09
$0.46βΎ1.21
354.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.15$6.15
$2.23βΎ5.93
175.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.94$6.94
$2.92βΎ7.75
137.67%
π Groceries & Markets
Norfolk, VA
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.85$0.85
$1.93βΎ5.11
-55.96%
White Bread(500g)
$4.22$4.22
$0.68βΎ1.81
520.59%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.53$5.53
$1.88βΎ4.99
194.15%
Eggs
$4.57$4.57
$2.54βΎ6.73
79.92%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.76$13.76
$7.42βΎ19.70
85.44%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.33$11.33
$6.19βΎ16.43
83.04%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.45$16.45
$9.36βΎ24.86
75.75%
Apples(1kg)
$4.63$4.63
$1.22βΎ3.25
279.51%
Banana(1kg)
$1.42$1.42
$1.66βΎ4.40
-14.46%
Oranges(1kg)
$5.72$5.72
$1.80βΎ4.78
217.78%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.24$6.24
$2.24βΎ5.96
178.57%
Potato(1kg)
$2.23$2.23
$0.71βΎ1.89
214.08%
Onion(1kg)
$3.24$3.24
$0.67βΎ1.79
383.58%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.70$1.70
$1.18βΎ3.13
44.07%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.12$2.12
$0.66βΎ1.76
221.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.05$9.05
$2.98βΎ7.91
203.69%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.80$14.80
$7.61βΎ20.21
94.48%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.82$1.82
$1.54βΎ4.08
18.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97$2.97
$2.25βΎ5.98
32.00%
π Getting Around
Norfolk, VA
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.05$2.05
$0.36βΎ0.95
469.44%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$103$103
$14.44βΎ38.36
611.63%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.78$4.78
$1.49βΎ3.96
220.81%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.33$1.33
$0.68βΎ1.82
95.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$15.11$15.11
$7.23βΎ19.19
108.99%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.81$0.81
$1.14βΎ3.04
-28.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.5K$29.5K
$18.5KβΎ49.0K
60.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.9K$26.9K
$20.0KβΎ53.0K
34.85%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Norfolk, VA
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$185$185
$73.7βΎ196
150.56%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$48.92$48.92
$11.64βΎ30.91
320.27%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.0$71.0
$17.84βΎ47.39
297.93%
π Sport & Entertainment
Norfolk, VA
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.69$39.69
$60.1βΎ160
-33.99%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.34$17.34
$16.80βΎ44.63
3.21%
Cinema Ticket
$11.96$11.96
$6.60βΎ17.54
81.21%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Norfolk, VA
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,473$1,473
$266βΎ708
452.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.0K$16.0K
$5,191βΎ13.8K
208.87%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Norfolk, VA
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.8$59.8
$77.7βΎ206
-23.06%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.32$46.32
$44.75βΎ119
3.51%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.7$99.7
$117βΎ310
-14.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$139$139
$113βΎ300
23.39%
π Accommodation & Living
Norfolk, VA
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,874$1,874
$693βΎ1,839
170.53%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,616$1,616
$462βΎ1,226
249.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,495$2,495
$1,320βΎ3,505
89.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,309$2,309
$774βΎ2,056
198.27%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,435$2,435
$2,430βΎ6,455
0.18%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,271$2,271
$1,446βΎ3,840
57.05%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Norfolk, VA
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,500$3,500
$673βΎ1,787
420.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.53
11.89
-45.08%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Norfolk, VA: May 31, 2026
Last update for Tbilisi: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,874 in Norfolk, VA and $693 in Tbilisi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Norfolk, VA pays 420% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $76.0 in Norfolk, VA vs $43.00 in Tbilisi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $414 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
Norfolk, VA vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Norfolk, VA and Tbilisi?
Norfolk, VA and Tbilisi differ by about 144% in total monthly costs ($2,950 vs $1,209 including rent). Tbilisi is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Norfolk, VA or Tbilisi?
Norfolk, VA pays 420% 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 Norfolk, VA and Tbilisi?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,874 in Norfolk, VA versus $693 in Tbilisi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Norfolk, VA and Tbilisi?
Childcare runs $1,473 in Norfolk, VA versus $266 in Tbilisi. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 104% higher in Norfolk, VA. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,209 in Tbilisi versus $2,950 in Norfolk, VA, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tbilisi but tight or insufficient in Norfolk, VA. The gap between the two cities makes Tbilisi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Norfolk, VA and Tbilisi?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Norfolk, VA or Tbilisi safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Norfolk, VA 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: Norfolk, VA or Tbilisi?
Expats usually find Tbilisi gentler on the wallet β expenses run 144% less than in Norfolk, VA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Norfolk, VA vs other spots: cost of living compared