πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $3,098 in Philipsburg versus $1,178 in Tbilisi.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $5,842 in Philipsburg versus $1,848 in Tbilisi.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $8,587 in Philipsburg versus $2,518 in Tbilisi.
πLiving in Philipsburg is roughly 163% more expensive than Tbilisi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Philipsburg is 132% above, Tbilisi is 12% below.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Philipsburg
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.89ANGΒ 26.57
$11.09βΎ29.35
34.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.5ANGΒ 131
$43.24βΎ114
69.98%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.97ANGΒ 14.23
$8.55βΎ22.63
-6.78%
Cappuccino
$4.43ANGΒ 7.90
$2.97βΎ7.86
49.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97ANGΒ 5.30
$0.76βΎ2.01
290.79%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.60ANGΒ 6.42
$0.46βΎ1.22
682.61%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.03ANGΒ 5.41
$2.22βΎ5.88
36.49%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.11ANGΒ 9.12
$2.92βΎ7.73
75.00%
π Groceries & Markets
Philipsburg
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$3.06ANGΒ 5.46
$1.97βΎ5.21
55.33%
White Bread(500g)
$3.18ANGΒ 5.68
$0.73βΎ1.94
335.62%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.99ANGΒ 5.33
$1.82βΎ4.81
64.29%
Eggs
$6.58ANGΒ 11.74
$2.49βΎ6.60
164.26%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.48ANGΒ 32.99
$7.66βΎ20.27
141.25%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$16.83ANGΒ 30.04
$6.27βΎ16.59
168.42%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.80ANGΒ 35.34
$9.50βΎ25.14
108.42%
Apples(1kg)
$5.98ANGΒ 10.67
$1.23βΎ3.24
386.18%
Banana(1kg)
$5.92ANGΒ 10.56
$1.64βΎ4.33
260.98%
Oranges(1kg)
$9.35ANGΒ 16.68
$1.87βΎ4.95
400.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.43ANGΒ 11.47
$2.27βΎ6.02
183.26%
Potato(1kg)
$3.93ANGΒ 7.02
$0.67βΎ1.77
486.57%
Onion(1kg)
$3.97ANGΒ 7.08
$0.67βΎ1.79
492.54%
Lettuce(1 head)
$4.43ANGΒ 7.90
$1.22βΎ3.23
263.11%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.97ANGΒ 3.52
$0.70βΎ1.85
181.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.78ANGΒ 13.89
$2.92βΎ7.73
166.44%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.91ANGΒ 19.47
$7.72βΎ20.42
41.32%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.32ANGΒ 5.93
$1.55βΎ4.09
114.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87ANGΒ 5.11
$2.22βΎ5.86
29.28%
π Getting Around
Philipsburg
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.47ANGΒ 2.62
$0.39βΎ1.02
276.92%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$14.67βΎ38.81
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$14.94ANGΒ 26.67
$1.44βΎ3.82
937.50%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$4.85ANGΒ 8.66
$0.69βΎ1.81
602.90%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$7.37βΎ19.52
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.44ANGΒ 2.56
$1.14βΎ3.03
26.32%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$18.2KβΎ48.1K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$20.4KβΎ54.1K
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Philipsburg
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$222ANGΒ 397
$73.6βΎ195
201.70%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.97ANGΒ 58.9
$11.64βΎ30.80
183.25%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.2ANGΒ 123
$17.63βΎ46.65
292.23%
π Sport & Entertainment
Philipsburg
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$63.3ANGΒ 113
$61.4βΎ162
3.10%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$16.85βΎ44.59
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.75ANGΒ 22.76
$6.69βΎ17.71
90.58%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Philipsburg
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$371ANGΒ 662
$264βΎ699
40.40%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.1KANGΒ 19.9K
$5,169βΎ13.7K
115.70%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Philipsburg
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$75.1βΎ199
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$43.26βΎ114
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$118βΎ311
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$111βΎ295
-
π Accommodation & Living
Philipsburg
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,970ANGΒ 3,517
$706βΎ1,868
179.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,875ANGΒ 3,347
$461βΎ1,221
306.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$5,726ANGΒ 10.2K
$1,318βΎ3,488
334.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$5,589ANGΒ 9,976
$781βΎ2,066
615.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,463βΎ6,517
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,409βΎ3,727
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Philipsburg
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,104ANGΒ 1,970
$672βΎ1,779
64.16%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.75
11.89
-51.64%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Philipsburg: June 16, 2026
Last update for Tbilisi: June 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,970 in Philipsburg and $706 in Tbilisi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Philipsburg pays 64% 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: $74.0 in Philipsburg vs $43.00 in Tbilisi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $540 vs $206 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
Philipsburg vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Philipsburg or Tbilisi?
Tbilisi wins on cost β living expenses run 163% lower than in Philipsburg. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Tbilisi the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Philipsburg or Tbilisi?
Philipsburg pays 64% 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 much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Philipsburg vs Tbilisi?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,970 in Philipsburg versus $706 in Tbilisi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Philipsburg or Tbilisi?
Supermarket bills run roughly 162% higher in Philipsburg. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Philipsburg compared to Tbilisi?
All in, you'll spend $3,098 per month in Philipsburg versus $1,178 in Tbilisi β a 163% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Philipsburg or Tbilisi?
At $1,178 in Tbilisi versus $3,098 in Philipsburg, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tbilisi but tight or insufficient in Philipsburg. The gap between the two cities makes Tbilisi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Philipsburg or Tbilisi?
Both work as nomad bases, but Tbilisi delivers better value β similar infrastructure at $1,178 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Tbilisi hard to pass up.
How safe is Philipsburg compared to Tbilisi?
Safety-wise, Philipsburg 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Tbilisi gentler on the wallet β expenses run 163% less than in Philipsburg. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Philipsburg vs other spots: cost of living compared