πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $3,108 in Philipsburg versus $1,185 in Tbilisi.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $5,697 in Philipsburg versus $1,834 in Tbilisi.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $8,287 in Philipsburg versus $2,483 in Tbilisi.
πLiving in Philipsburg is roughly 162% 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
$14.94ANGΒ 26.75
$11.15βΎ30.00
33.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.9ANGΒ 132
$43.13βΎ116
71.41%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.05ANGΒ 14.41
$8.22βΎ22.11
-2.07%
Cappuccino
$4.31ANGΒ 7.72
$3.13βΎ8.42
37.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.04ANGΒ 5.44
$0.74βΎ2.00
310.81%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.78ANGΒ 6.76
$0.45βΎ1.22
740.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.91ANGΒ 5.21
$2.13βΎ5.74
36.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.92ANGΒ 8.81
$2.99βΎ8.06
64.55%
π Groceries & Markets
Philipsburg
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.93ANGΒ 5.24
$1.89βΎ5.09
55.03%
White Bread(500g)
$3.04ANGΒ 5.44
$0.73βΎ1.97
316.44%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.05ANGΒ 5.46
$1.85βΎ4.98
64.86%
Eggs
$6.37ANGΒ 11.41
$2.45βΎ6.58
160.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.65ANGΒ 33.38
$7.85βΎ21.12
137.58%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$16.98ANGΒ 30.39
$6.25βΎ16.82
171.68%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.82ANGΒ 35.48
$9.77βΎ26.28
102.87%
Apples(1kg)
$6.08ANGΒ 10.89
$1.21βΎ3.26
402.48%
Banana(1kg)
$6.06ANGΒ 10.85
$1.59βΎ4.28
281.13%
Oranges(1kg)
$9.05ANGΒ 16.20
$1.79βΎ4.81
405.59%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.19ANGΒ 11.08
$2.32βΎ6.25
166.81%
Potato(1kg)
$4.09ANGΒ 7.32
$0.71βΎ1.91
476.06%
Onion(1kg)
$4.11ANGΒ 7.35
$0.67βΎ1.81
513.43%
Lettuce(1 head)
$4.42ANGΒ 7.90
$1.18βΎ3.16
274.58%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.95ANGΒ 3.49
$0.71βΎ1.92
174.65%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.97ANGΒ 14.27
$2.92βΎ7.85
172.95%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.86ANGΒ 19.44
$7.25βΎ19.50
49.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.28ANGΒ 5.86
$1.55βΎ4.17
111.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88ANGΒ 5.16
$2.31βΎ6.21
24.68%
π Getting Around
Philipsburg
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.46ANGΒ 2.60
$0.38βΎ1.03
284.21%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$14.81βΎ39.83
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$14.75ANGΒ 26.41
$1.48βΎ3.98
896.62%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$4.88ANGΒ 8.74
$0.69βΎ1.86
607.25%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$7.45βΎ20.05
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.37ANGΒ 2.44
$1.15βΎ3.10
19.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$18.0KβΎ48.4K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$19.8KβΎ53.4K
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Philipsburg
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$224ANGΒ 402
$73.4βΎ198
205.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.93ANGΒ 59.0
$11.64βΎ31.32
182.90%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.0ANGΒ 127
$17.77βΎ47.79
299.44%
π Sport & Entertainment
Philipsburg
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$62.5ANGΒ 112
$60.6βΎ163
3.10%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$16.44βΎ44.21
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.22ANGΒ 23.66
$6.51βΎ17.52
103.07%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Philipsburg
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$369ANGΒ 661
$263βΎ707
40.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.3KANGΒ 20.3K
$5,136βΎ13.8K
120.53%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Philipsburg
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$77.7βΎ209
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$44.39βΎ119
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$118βΎ317
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$114βΎ307
-
π Accommodation & Living
Philipsburg
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,987ANGΒ 3,557
$693βΎ1,865
186.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,875ANGΒ 3,356
$462βΎ1,244
305.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$5,720ANGΒ 10.2K
$1,337βΎ3,597
327.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$5,597ANGΒ 10.0K
$779βΎ2,096
618.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,955ANGΒ 5,289
$2,530βΎ6,805
16.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,430βΎ3,847
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Philipsburg
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,102ANGΒ 1,973
$633βΎ1,702
74.27%
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: April 25, 2026
Last update for Tbilisi: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,987 in Philipsburg and $693 in Tbilisi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Philipsburg pays 74% 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 $537 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 162% 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 74% 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: $1,987 in Philipsburg versus $693 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 161% 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 $3,108 per month in Philipsburg versus $1,185 in Tbilisi β a 162% 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 $1,185 in Tbilisi versus $3,108 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 $1,185 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 162% 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