🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $813 in Pathein versus $1,218 in Tbilisi.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,486 in Pathein versus $1,853 in Tbilisi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,159 in Pathein versus $2,489 in Tbilisi.
🙂Living in Pathein costs roughly 33% less than in Tbilisi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Pathein40% lower, Tbilisi9% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Pathein
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.51MMK 3,165
$10.85₾28.75
-86.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.01MMK 37.7K
$44.17₾117
-59.23%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.48MMK 11.5K
$8.28₾21.94
-33.82%
Cappuccino
$1.47MMK 3,067
$3.02₾8.00
-51.32%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52MMK 1,099
$0.76₾2.02
-31.58%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48MMK 1,012
$0.46₾1.22
4.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.01MMK 2,116
$2.24₾5.93
-54.91%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.02MMK 2,133
$3.00₾7.95
-66.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Pathein
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.85MMK 3,875
$1.93₾5.11
-4.15%
White Bread(500g)
$0.98MMK 2,054
$0.72₾1.91
36.11%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.41MMK 2,949
$1.84₾4.87
-23.37%
Eggs
$1.43MMK 2,997
$2.45₾6.48
-41.63%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.40MMK 15.5K
$7.43₾19.67
-0.40%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.12MMK 12.8K
$6.48₾17.16
-5.56%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.15MMK 17.1K
$9.70₾25.70
-15.98%
Apples(1kg)
$5.51MMK 11.5K
$1.20₾3.18
359.17%
Banana(1kg)
$1.09MMK 2,281
$1.56₾4.14
-30.13%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.75MMK 5,762
$1.79₾4.75
53.63%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.24MMK 6,784
$2.23₾5.90
45.29%
Potato(1kg)
$2.58MMK 5,398
$0.65₾1.73
296.92%
Onion(1kg)
$1.56MMK 3,257
$0.68₾1.79
129.41%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.51MMK 1,070
$1.19₾3.16
-57.14%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.33MMK 698
$0.70₾1.86
-52.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.63MMK 3,411
$2.95₾7.82
-44.75%
Wine(Bottle)
$19.71MMK 41.3K
$7.33₾19.41
168.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.97MMK 2,038
$1.52₾4.02
-36.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.20MMK 2,507
$2.25₾5.95
-46.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Pathein
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.36₾0.95
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$14.60₾38.68
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.12MMK 2,341
$1.50₾3.97
-25.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.02MMK 2,130
$0.73₾1.92
39.73%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.93MMK 6,136
$7.45₾19.74
-60.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.06MMK 4,304
$1.14₾3.01
80.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.2KMMK 67.4M
$18.5K₾49.0K
73.81%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.2KMMK 67.5M
$20.3K₾53.6K
59.15%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pathein
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$55.7MMK 116.6K
$73.9₾196
-24.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.23MMK 23.5K
$11.71₾31.01
-4.10%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$10.12MMK 21.2K
$18.16₾48.09
-44.27%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Pathein
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$72.7MMK 152.2K
$61.7₾163
17.83%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$16.66₾44.12
-
Cinema Ticket
$1.96MMK 4,114
$6.61₾17.50
-70.35%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Pathein
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$320MMK 670.9K
$264₾700
21.30%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,774MMK 10.0M
$5,145₾13.6K
-7.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Pathein
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$20.14MMK 42.2K
$74.9₾198
-73.10%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$14.89MMK 31.2K
$43.98₾117
-66.14%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$49.34MMK 103.3K
$118₾312
-58.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$60.3MMK 126.3K
$114₾301
-46.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Pathein
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$395MMK 826.6K
$692₾1,833
-42.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$297MMK 621.2K
$454₾1,203
-34.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,111MMK 2.3M
$1,323₾3,504
-16.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$999MMK 2.1M
$789₾2,089
26.73%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,431₾6,440
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,441₾3,818
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Pathein
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$645₾1,709
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11
11.89
-7.49%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Pathein: June 6, 2026
Last update for Tbilisi: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $395 in Pathein and $692 in Tbilisi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $18.00 in Pathein vs $44.00 in Tbilisi. Groceries flip the comparison at $242 vs $204, 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
Pathein vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Pathein and Tbilisi?
Pathein and Tbilisi differ by about 50% in total monthly costs ($813 vs $1,218 including rent). Pathein is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Pathein compared to Tbilisi?
You'd need roughly $1,219 in Pathein and $1,827 in Tbilisi to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Pathein and Tbilisi?
Rent for a central apartment: $395 in Pathein versus $692 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 Pathein and Tbilisi?
Childcare runs $320 in Pathein versus $264 in Tbilisi. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Pathein – a meal for two runs $18.00 versus $44.00 in Tbilisi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $813 in Pathein versus $1,218 in Tbilisi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Pathein but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Pathein the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Pathein and Tbilisi?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Pathein or Tbilisi safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Pathein 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: Pathein or Tbilisi?
Expats usually find Pathein gentler on the wallet – expenses run 50% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.