🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $657 in Palembang versus $1,209 in Tbilisi.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,031 in Palembang versus $1,867 in Tbilisi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,404 in Palembang versus $2,526 in Tbilisi.
🙂Living in Palembang costs roughly 46% 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 21.5K
$10.80₾28.71
-88.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.59Rp 314.1K
$43.18₾115
-59.26%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.14Rp 56.0K
$8.29₾22.04
-62.12%
Cappuccino
$1.40Rp 25.0K
$3.00₾7.97
-53.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.97Rp 17.4K
$0.82₾2.17
18.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28Rp 5,004
$0.46₾1.21
-39.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.83Rp 32.7K
$2.23₾5.93
-17.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.59Rp 64.2K
$2.92₾7.75
22.95%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.31Rp 23.4K
$1.93₾5.12
-32.12%
White Bread(500g)
$1.16Rp 20.7K
$0.68₾1.81
70.59%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.41Rp 25.1K
$1.88₾5.00
-25.00%
Eggs
$1.20Rp 21.5K
$2.54₾6.74
-52.76%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.99Rp 142.6K
$7.42₾19.70
7.68%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.13Rp 55.9K
$6.19₾16.44
-49.43%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.70Rp 155.3K
$9.36₾24.87
-7.05%
Apples(1kg)
$2.39Rp 42.7K
$1.22₾3.25
95.90%
Banana(1kg)
$1.44Rp 25.7K
$1.66₾4.40
-13.25%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.89Rp 33.8K
$1.80₾4.78
5.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.49Rp 26.6K
$2.24₾5.96
-33.48%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38Rp 24.7K
$0.71₾1.89
94.37%
Onion(1kg)
$1.93Rp 34.5K
$0.67₾1.79
188.06%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.97Rp 17.3K
$1.18₾3.13
-17.80%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.50Rp 8,973
$0.66₾1.76
-24.24%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.44Rp 43.6K
$2.98₾7.91
-18.12%
Wine(Bottle)
$21.68Rp 387.2K
$7.61₾20.22
184.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.02Rp 36.0K
$1.54₾4.08
31.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16Rp 56.5K
$2.25₾5.99
40.44%
🚌 Getting Around
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.47Rp 8,466
$0.36₾0.95
30.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.74Rp 173.9K
$14.44₾38.38
-32.55%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.52Rp 9,363
$1.49₾3.97
-65.10%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.37Rp 6,685
$0.68₾1.82
-45.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.96Rp 52.8K
$7.23₾19.20
-59.06%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.75Rp 13.4K
$1.14₾3.04
-34.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.3KRp 433.2M
$18.5K₾49.1K
31.43%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.1KRp 502.5M
$20.0K₾53.1K
40.93%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.8Rp 1.2M
$73.7₾196
-5.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.23Rp 75.6K
$11.64₾30.92
-63.66%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.64Rp 422.1K
$17.84₾47.41
32.51%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.44Rp 418.6K
$60.1₾160
-61.02%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.00Rp 107.1K
$16.80₾44.65
-64.29%
Cinema Ticket
$3.04Rp 54.3K
$6.60₾17.55
-53.94%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$92.3Rp 1.6M
$266₾708
-65.36%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,546Rp 134.8M
$5,191₾13.8K
45.36%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.12Rp 752.2K
$77.7₾206
-45.79%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.14Rp 556.1K
$44.75₾119
-30.41%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$67.4Rp 1.2M
$117₾310
-42.32%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.6Rp 1.3M
$113₾300
-34.85%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$257Rp 4.6M
$693₾1,840
-62.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$157Rp 2.8M
$462₾1,227
-66.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$584Rp 10.4M
$1,320₾3,507
-55.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$331Rp 5.9M
$774₾2,057
-57.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,346Rp 24.0M
$2,430₾6,458
-44.63%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$783Rp 14.0M
$1,446₾3,842
-45.83%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$309Rp 5.5M
$673₾1,788
-54.04%
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: May 30, 2026
Last update for Tbilisi: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $257 in Palembang and $693 in Tbilisi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Tbilisi pays 118% 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 $43.00 in Tbilisi. Groceries flip the comparison at $214 vs $203, 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 84% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Palembang or Tbilisi?
On paper, Tbilisi earns 118% less. 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: $257 in Palembang versus $693 in Tbilisi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Palembang vs Tbilisi?
All in, you'll spend $657 per month in Palembang versus $1,209 in Tbilisi – a 84% 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 48% 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 Palembang or Tbilisi?
At $657 in Palembang versus $1,209 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 84% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.