😐A single person spends $1,311 per month in Popayan vs $1,247 in Tbilisi, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,104 per month in Popayan vs $2,025 in Tbilisi, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,896 per month in Popayan vs $2,803 in Tbilisi, rent included.
😐Popayan costs about 5% more than Tbilisi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Popayan and Tbilisi are more affordable than the global median – Popayan4% lower, Tbilisi9% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Popayan
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.42COP 23.1K
$11.33₾29.45
-34.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.79COP 146.0K
$38.71₾101
20.87%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.41COP 29.3K
$9.52₾24.73
-1.16%
Cappuccino
$2.43COP 7,580
$3.41₾8.85
-28.74%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52COP 4,731
$1.04₾2.71
46.15%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.98COP 3,069
$0.64₾1.66
53.12%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.65COP 8,267
$2.61₾6.79
1.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.33COP 13.5K
$3.24₾8.43
33.64%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Popayan
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.33COP 4,160
$2.17₾5.65
-38.71%
White Bread(500g)
$2.51COP 7,845
$0.74₾1.92
239.19%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.57COP 4,887
$1.71₾4.45
-8.19%
Eggs
$2.82COP 8,807
$2.83₾7.36
-0.35%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.85COP 27.6K
$9.22₾23.95
-4.01%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.82COP 33.8K
$6.76₾17.55
60.06%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.63COP 39.4K
$12.77₾33.17
-1.10%
Apples(1kg)
$3.22COP 10.1K
$1.64₾4.26
96.34%
Banana(1kg)
$1.65COP 5,136
$1.77₾4.60
-6.78%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.79COP 5,590
$1.87₾4.85
-4.28%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.66COP 5,177
$2.44₾6.34
-31.97%
Potato(1kg)
$1.69COP 5,286
$0.87₾2.25
94.25%
Onion(1kg)
$1.48COP 4,621
$0.65₾1.70
127.69%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.28COP 3,986
$1.40₾3.64
-8.57%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.09COP 3,409
$0.74₾1.93
47.30%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.65COP 11.4K
$3.41₾8.86
7.04%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.67COP 42.6K
$7.60₾19.75
79.87%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.36COP 4,249
$1.70₾4.41
-20.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.62COP 8,184
$2.38₾6.20
10.08%
🚌 Getting Around
Popayan
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.18COP 3,668
$0.36₾0.94
227.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$15.24₾39.60
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.49COP 4,644
$1.18₾3.07
26.27%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.24COP 6,989
$0.76₾1.97
194.74%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.46COP 26.4K
$11.34₾29.47
-25.40%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.38COP 4,294
$1.33₾3.46
3.76%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.1KCOP 78.3M
$24.7K₾64.2K
1.54%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.9KCOP 105.8M
$22.0K₾57.2K
53.87%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Popayan
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$115COP 357.4K
$88.9₾231
28.90%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.07COP 43.9K
$13.33₾34.63
5.55%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.98COP 81.1K
$20.12₾52.3
29.13%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Popayan
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$38.08COP 118.8K
$68.7₾178
-44.55%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.09₾47.01
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.53COP 23.5K
$6.72₾17.46
12.05%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Popayan
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$628COP 2.0M
$374₾971
68.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,376COP 23.0M
$10.7K₾27.8K
-31.06%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Popayan
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$84.2COP 262.7K
$101₾263
-16.81%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.2COP 159.8K
$39.33₾102
30.18%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$136COP 423.4K
$118₾305
15.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$116COP 362.2K
$122₾318
-5.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Popayan
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$763COP 2.4M
$682₾1,773
11.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$544COP 1.7M
$456₾1,186
19.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$920COP 2.9M
$1,303₾3,385
-29.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$984COP 3.1M
$899₾2,337
9.45%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,286COP 7.1M
$2,449₾6,365
-6.68%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,938COP 6.0M
$1,452₾3,774
33.42%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Popayan
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$652₾1,695
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.58
12.62
-8.24%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Popayan: September 13, 2026
Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $763 in Popayan versus $682 in Tbilisi. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $47.00 in Popayan versus $39.00 in Tbilisi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $282 vs $232 – making Tbilisi the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Popayan vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Popayan and in Tbilisi compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,311 in Popayan, $1,247 in Tbilisi – roughly 5% apart. Popayan costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Popayan compared to Tbilisi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,967 per month in Popayan and $1,870 in Tbilisi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Popayan and Tbilisi?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Tbilisi, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $47.00 in Popayan and $39.00 in Tbilisi. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 21% more in Popayan, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Tbilisi, where all-in costs run around $1,247, than in Popayan at $1,311. In Tbilisi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Popayan it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Popayan and Tbilisi?
It depends on your priorities. Tbilisi has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,247 in Tbilisi to $1,311 in Popayan. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Popayan or Tbilisi safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Popayan and Tbilisi?
If budget matters most, go with Tbilisi. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Popayan makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.