🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $661 in Palembang versus $1,197 in Tbilisi.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,043 in Palembang versus $1,868 in Tbilisi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,426 in Palembang versus $2,538 in Tbilisi.
🌍Living in Palembang costs roughly 45% less than in Tbilisi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Palembang51% lower, Tbilisi10% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.20Rp 21.6K
$10.82₾28.39
-88.91%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.90Rp 321.1K
$43.85₾115
-59.18%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.05Rp 54.7K
$8.31₾21.80
-63.30%
Cappuccino
$1.40Rp 25.2K
$2.97₾7.78
-52.86%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.90Rp 16.2K
$0.77₾2.01
16.88%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26Rp 4,653
$0.46₾1.20
-43.48%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.79Rp 32.0K
$2.14₾5.63
-16.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.75Rp 67.2K
$2.87₾7.52
30.66%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.31Rp 23.5K
$1.90₾4.99
-31.05%
White Bread(500g)
$1.10Rp 19.8K
$0.71₾1.86
54.93%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38Rp 24.7K
$1.91₾5.00
-27.75%
Eggs
$1.27Rp 22.7K
$2.48₾6.52
-48.79%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.96Rp 142.9K
$7.74₾20.29
2.84%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.14Rp 56.3K
$6.18₾16.21
-49.19%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.48Rp 152.2K
$9.57₾25.12
-11.39%
Apples(1kg)
$2.30Rp 41.3K
$1.17₾3.06
96.58%
Banana(1kg)
$1.46Rp 26.2K
$1.65₾4.34
-11.52%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.85Rp 33.3K
$1.85₾4.84
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.57Rp 28.1K
$2.33₾6.11
-32.62%
Potato(1kg)
$1.37Rp 24.5K
$0.71₾1.85
92.96%
Onion(1kg)
$1.98Rp 35.5K
$0.67₾1.76
195.52%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.97Rp 17.4K
$1.19₾3.12
-18.49%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.50Rp 9,028
$0.66₾1.72
-24.24%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.42Rp 43.5K
$2.92₾7.65
-17.12%
Wine(Bottle)
$20.22Rp 362.7K
$7.69₾20.18
162.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.05Rp 36.8K
$1.59₾4.18
28.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23Rp 57.9K
$2.31₾6.06
39.83%
🚌 Getting Around
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.48Rp 8,661
$0.38₾1.01
26.32%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.59Rp 172.1K
$14.76₾38.72
-35.03%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.57Rp 10.2K
$1.50₾3.92
-62.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.34Rp 6,143
$0.68₾1.77
-50.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.84Rp 50.9K
$7.26₾19.04
-60.88%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.76Rp 13.6K
$1.09₾2.87
-30.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.8KRp 445.6M
$18.6K₾48.8K
33.50%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.1KRp 503.8M
$20.5K₾53.7K
37.22%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.2Rp 1.3M
$73.0₾192
-3.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.18Rp 74.9K
$11.97₾31.41
-65.08%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.42Rp 420.1K
$18.00₾47.22
30.11%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.79Rp 408.7K
$61.0₾160
-62.63%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.02Rp 108.0K
$16.52₾43.34
-63.56%
Cinema Ticket
$2.98Rp 53.5K
$6.70₾17.58
-55.52%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$94.2Rp 1.7M
$269₾705
-64.94%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,485Rp 134.3M
$5,152₾13.5K
45.29%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.82Rp 750.1K
$76.5₾201
-45.35%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.61Rp 549.1K
$43.41₾114
-29.49%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$65.9Rp 1.2M
$120₾316
-45.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.9Rp 1.3M
$111₾290
-34.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$262Rp 4.7M
$687₾1,803
-61.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$158Rp 2.8M
$470₾1,234
-66.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$593Rp 10.6M
$1,353₾3,550
-56.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$328Rp 5.9M
$789₾2,069
-58.42%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$976Rp 17.5M
$2,468₾6,473
-60.44%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$601Rp 10.8M
$1,456₾3,818
-58.72%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$300Rp 5.4M
$659₾1,729
-54.43%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.15
11.89
-23.04%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Palembang: July 13, 2026
Last update for Tbilisi: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $262 in Palembang and $687 in Tbilisi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Tbilisi pays 119% 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: $18.00 in Palembang vs $44.00 in Tbilisi. Groceries flip the comparison at $210 vs $205, with Tbilisi cheaper for home cooking.
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
Palembang vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tbilisi cheaper than Palembang?
Palembang is cheaper overall, especially in Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 81% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Palembang or Tbilisi?
On paper, salaries run 119% 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.
What is the rent difference between Palembang and Tbilisi?
Rent for a central apartment: $262 in Palembang versus $687 in Tbilisi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Palembang and in Tbilisi?
All in, you'll spend $661 per month in Palembang versus $1,197 in Tbilisi – a 81% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Palembang runs roughly 54% less than in Tbilisi. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Palembang or in Tbilisi?
At $661 in Palembang versus $1,197 in Tbilisi, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Palembang but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Palembang the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Palembang or Tbilisi more family-friendly?
For families, Palembang is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Tbilisi, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Palembang or Tbilisi?
Safety-wise, Palembang 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 Palembang gentler on the wallet – expenses run 81% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.