πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,011 in Phoenix versus $1,218 in Tbilisi.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,549 in Phoenix versus $1,853 in Tbilisi.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,086 in Phoenix versus $2,489 in Tbilisi.
πLiving in Phoenix costs roughly 17% less than in Tbilisi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Phoenix25% lower, Tbilisi9% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Phoenix
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.74MURΒ 318
$10.85βΎ28.75
-37.88%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.39MURΒ 2,043
$44.17βΎ117
-1.77%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.50MURΒ 306
$8.28βΎ21.94
-21.50%
Cappuccino
$2.57MURΒ 121
$3.02βΎ8.00
-14.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.98MURΒ 45.97
$0.76βΎ2.02
28.95%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60MURΒ 28.43
$0.46βΎ1.22
30.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.08MURΒ 98.1
$2.24βΎ5.93
-7.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.66MURΒ 125
$3.00βΎ7.95
-11.33%
π Groceries & Markets
Phoenix
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.46MURΒ 68.9
$1.93βΎ5.11
-24.35%
White Bread(500g)
$0.71MURΒ 33.25
$0.72βΎ1.91
-1.39%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.33MURΒ 62.6
$1.84βΎ4.87
-27.72%
Eggs
$2.27MURΒ 107
$2.45βΎ6.48
-7.35%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.87MURΒ 465
$7.43βΎ19.67
32.84%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.03MURΒ 284
$6.48βΎ17.16
-6.94%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.41MURΒ 490
$9.70βΎ25.70
7.32%
Apples(1kg)
$2.03MURΒ 95.7
$1.20βΎ3.18
69.17%
Banana(1kg)
$2.00MURΒ 94.3
$1.56βΎ4.14
28.21%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.45MURΒ 68.4
$1.79βΎ4.75
-18.99%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.67MURΒ 126
$2.23βΎ5.90
19.73%
Potato(1kg)
$1.02MURΒ 48.20
$0.65βΎ1.73
56.92%
Onion(1kg)
$1.00MURΒ 47.00
$0.68βΎ1.79
47.06%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.84MURΒ 39.55
$1.19βΎ3.16
-29.41%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56MURΒ 26.53
$0.70βΎ1.86
-20.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.14MURΒ 289
$2.95βΎ7.82
108.14%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.25MURΒ 389
$7.33βΎ19.41
12.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78MURΒ 84.1
$1.52βΎ4.02
17.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11MURΒ 99.2
$2.25βΎ5.95
-6.22%
π Getting Around
Phoenix
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.04MURΒ 49.09
$0.36βΎ0.95
188.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$14.60βΎ38.68
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.48MURΒ 211
$1.50βΎ3.97
198.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.72MURΒ 128
$0.73βΎ1.92
272.60%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$15.48MURΒ 729
$7.45βΎ19.74
107.79%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.54MURΒ 72.7
$1.14βΎ3.01
35.09%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.9KMURΒ 1.7M
$18.5KβΎ49.0K
93.76%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.2KMURΒ 1.4M
$20.3KβΎ53.6K
44.11%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Phoenix
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$50.0MURΒ 2,356
$73.9βΎ196
-32.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.57MURΒ 875
$11.71βΎ31.01
58.58%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.02MURΒ 1,555
$18.16βΎ48.09
81.83%
π Sport & Entertainment
Phoenix
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$38.92MURΒ 1,833
$61.7βΎ163
-36.93%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$16.66βΎ44.12
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.19MURΒ 292
$6.61βΎ17.50
-6.35%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Phoenix
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$155MURΒ 7,306
$264βΎ700
-41.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,965MURΒ 186.7K
$5,145βΎ13.6K
-22.94%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Phoenix
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.2MURΒ 2,361
$74.9βΎ198
-33.01%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.39MURΒ 2,043
$43.98βΎ117
-1.34%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$81.9MURΒ 3,858
$118βΎ312
-30.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.4MURΒ 3,785
$114βΎ301
-29.34%
π Accommodation & Living
Phoenix
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$552MURΒ 26.0K
$692βΎ1,833
-20.25%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$387MURΒ 18.2K
$454βΎ1,203
-14.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$879MURΒ 41.4K
$1,323βΎ3,504
-33.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$617MURΒ 29.0K
$789βΎ2,089
-21.80%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,431βΎ6,440
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,441βΎ3,818
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Phoenix
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$952MURΒ 44.8K
$645βΎ1,709
47.62%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.25
11.89
-47.43%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Phoenix: June 8, 2026
Last update for Tbilisi: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $552 in Phoenix and $692 in Tbilisi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Phoenix pays 48% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $43.00 in Phoenix vs $44.00 in Tbilisi. Groceries flip the comparison at $213 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
Phoenix vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Phoenix and Tbilisi?
Phoenix and Tbilisi differ by about 20% in total monthly costs ($1,011 vs $1,218 including rent). Phoenix is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Phoenix or Tbilisi?
Phoenix pays 48% 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 do apartment prices compare in Phoenix and Tbilisi?
Rent for a central apartment: $552 in Phoenix versus $692 in Tbilisi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Tbilisi pay roughly 4% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more expensive overall: Phoenix or Tbilisi?
All in, you'll spend $1,011 per month in Phoenix versus $1,218 in Tbilisi β a 20% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,011 in Phoenix versus $1,218 in Tbilisi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Phoenix but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Phoenix the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Phoenix and Tbilisi?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Phoenix or Tbilisi safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Phoenix 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: Phoenix or Tbilisi?
Expats usually find Phoenix gentler on the wallet β expenses run 20% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.