🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $637 in Palembang versus $1,286 in Tbilisi.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $997 in Palembang versus $2,044 in Tbilisi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,357 in Palembang versus $2,802 in Tbilisi.
🌍Living in Palembang costs roughly 50% less than in Tbilisi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Palembang54% lower, Tbilisi6% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.12Rp 19.8K
$11.72₾30.58
-90.44%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$16.40Rp 289.9K
$37.88₾98.9
-56.71%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.88Rp 50.9K
$9.74₾25.43
-70.43%
Cappuccino
$1.30Rp 23.0K
$3.41₾8.91
-61.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.89Rp 15.7K
$1.06₾2.77
-16.04%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24Rp 4,309
$0.65₾1.69
-63.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68Rp 29.7K
$2.70₾7.06
-37.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.47Rp 61.4K
$3.10₾8.09
11.94%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09Rp 19.4K
$2.20₾5.74
-50.45%
White Bread(500g)
$1.15Rp 20.3K
$0.81₾2.10
41.98%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.87Rp 15.4K
$1.64₾4.27
-46.95%
Eggs
$1.30Rp 23.0K
$2.75₾7.19
-52.73%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.45Rp 131.7K
$9.01₾23.52
-17.31%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.92Rp 51.6K
$6.55₾17.10
-55.42%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.94Rp 140.4K
$12.62₾32.94
-37.08%
Apples(1kg)
$2.27Rp 40.1K
$1.67₾4.36
35.93%
Banana(1kg)
$1.40Rp 24.7K
$1.81₾4.73
-22.65%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.97Rp 34.9K
$1.93₾5.04
2.07%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.35Rp 23.9K
$2.59₾6.76
-47.88%
Potato(1kg)
$1.12Rp 19.8K
$0.87₾2.26
28.74%
Onion(1kg)
$1.70Rp 30.0K
$0.65₾1.69
161.54%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.78Rp 13.8K
$1.39₾3.63
-43.88%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.44Rp 7,762
$0.80₾2.08
-45.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.30Rp 40.8K
$3.36₾8.78
-31.55%
Wine(Bottle)
$20.86Rp 368.9K
$7.54₾19.68
176.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.85Rp 32.8K
$1.61₾4.21
14.91%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.05Rp 53.9K
$2.25₾5.86
35.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.40Rp 7,080
$0.37₾0.96
8.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$15.11₾39.45
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.52Rp 9,201
$1.17₾3.06
-55.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.36Rp 6,284
$0.80₾2.09
-55.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.52Rp 44.5K
$11.33₾29.58
-77.76%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.81Rp 14.3K
$1.33₾3.47
-39.10%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.4KRp 414.0M
$25.0K₾65.2K
-6.32%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.5KRp 556.9M
$22.4K₾58.4K
40.70%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$78.5Rp 1.4M
$89.1₾233
-11.95%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.33Rp 76.6K
$13.25₾34.58
-67.32%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.35Rp 342.2K
$19.46₾50.8
-0.57%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$20.15Rp 356.4K
$68.4₾179
-70.55%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.64Rp 170.5K
$18.68₾48.77
-48.39%
Cinema Ticket
$2.91Rp 51.4K
$6.63₾17.32
-56.11%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$95.2Rp 1.7M
$363₾949
-73.81%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,599Rp 134.4M
$10.7K₾27.8K
-28.71%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.47Rp 768.7K
$104₾270
-58.00%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.49Rp 539.1K
$38.84₾101
-21.50%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$72.0Rp 1.3M
$117₾304
-38.29%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.4Rp 1.3M
$123₾320
-41.00%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$225Rp 4.0M
$682₾1,782
-67.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$158Rp 2.8M
$447₾1,166
-64.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$542Rp 9.6M
$1,284₾3,353
-57.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$417Rp 7.4M
$920₾2,401
-54.67%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,274Rp 22.5M
$2,487₾6,492
-48.76%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$656Rp 11.6M
$1,423₾3,715
-53.91%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Palembang
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$313Rp 5.5M
$646₾1,686
-51.58%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.46
12.73
-25.69%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Palembang: August 30, 2026
Last update for Tbilisi: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $225 in Palembang and $682 in Tbilisi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Tbilisi pays 107% 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: $16.00 in Palembang vs $38.00 in Tbilisi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $199 vs $232 per month, with Palembang 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
Palembang vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tbilisi cheaper than Palembang?
Palembang is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 102% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Palembang or Tbilisi?
On paper, salaries run 107% 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: $225 in Palembang versus $682 in Tbilisi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $95.2 in Palembang versus $363 in Tbilisi. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Palembang or in Tbilisi?
Dining out is cheaper in Palembang – a meal for two runs $16.00 versus $38.00 in Tbilisi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Palembang or in Tbilisi?
At $637 in Palembang versus $1,286 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 102% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.