Cost of Living Comparison Between Portland, ME and Tbilisi Cost of Living Comparison Between Portland, ME and Tbilisi

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,027 in Portland, ME versus $1,197 in Tbilisi.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,597 in Portland, ME versus $1,868 in Tbilisi.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $6,166 in Portland, ME versus $2,538 in Tbilisi.

Living in Portland, ME is roughly 153% more expensive than in Tbilisi, driven mainly by Eating Out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Portland, ME is 127% above, Tbilisi is 10% below.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Portland, ME
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$29.71 $29.71
$10.82 ₾28.38
174.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$118 $118
$43.85 ₾115
169.94%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.18 $12.18
$8.31 ₾21.79
46.57%
Cappuccino
$6.43 $6.43
$2.97 ₾7.78
116.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.66 $2.66
$0.77 ₾2.01
245.45%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31 $2.31
$0.46 ₾1.20
402.17%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.26 $6.26
$2.14 ₾5.63
192.52%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.03 $8.03
$2.87 ₾7.52
179.79%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Portland, ME
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.03 $1.03
$1.90 ₾4.99
-45.79%
White Bread (500g)
$3.67 $3.67
$0.71 ₾1.86
416.90%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$7.50 $7.50
$1.91 ₾5.00
292.67%
Eggs
$4.35 $4.35
$2.48 ₾6.52
75.40%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.67 $16.67
$7.74 ₾20.29
115.37%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.61 $10.61
$6.18 ₾16.20
71.68%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.43 $14.43
$9.57 ₾25.11
50.78%
Apples (1kg)
$3.36 $3.36
$1.17 ₾3.06
187.18%
Banana (1kg)
$1.73 $1.73
$1.65 ₾4.34
4.85%
Oranges (1kg)
$6.10 $6.10
$1.85 ₾4.84
229.73%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.06 $6.06
$2.33 ₾6.11
160.09%
Potato (1kg)
$7.18 $7.18
$0.71 ₾1.85
911.27%
Onion (1kg)
$3.62 $3.62
$0.67 ₾1.76
440.30%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.44 $2.44
$1.19 ₾3.12
105.04%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.21 $2.21
$0.66 ₾1.72
234.85%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.65 $12.65
$2.92 ₾7.65
333.22%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.73 $14.73
$7.69 ₾20.17
91.55%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.95 $1.95
$1.59 ₾4.18
22.64%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01 $3.01
$2.31 ₾6.06
30.30%
🚌 Getting Around
Portland, ME
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.05 $2.05
$0.38 ₾1.01
439.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$59.7 $59.7
$14.76 ₾38.71
304.27%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.03 $2.03
$1.50 ₾3.92
35.33%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.71 $1.71
$0.68 ₾1.77
151.47%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.22 $29.22
$7.26 ₾19.03
302.48%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.86 $0.86
$1.09 ₾2.87
-21.10%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.9K $28.9K
$18.6K ₾48.8K
55.35%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.8K $24.8K
$20.5K ₾53.7K
21.32%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Portland, ME
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$214 $214
$73.0 ₾191
192.97%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$53.8 $53.8
$11.97 ₾31.40
349.29%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$80.5 $80.5
$18.00 ₾47.21
347.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Portland, ME
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$66.0 $66.0
$61.0 ₾160
8.30%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.57 $12.57
$16.52 ₾43.33
-23.91%
Cinema Ticket
$14.41 $14.41
$6.70 ₾17.58
115.07%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Portland, ME
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,267 $1,267
$269 ₾705
371.36%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$33.6K $33.6K
$5,152 ₾13.5K
552.68%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Portland, ME
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.1 $50.1
$76.5 ₾201
-34.57%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$76.1 $76.1
$43.41 ₾114
75.28%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$121 $121
$120 ₾316
0.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$131 $131
$111 ₾290
18.13%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Portland, ME
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,003 $2,003
$687 ₾1,802
191.54%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,479 $1,479
$470 ₾1,234
214.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,373 $3,373
$1,353 ₾3,549
149.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,518 $2,518
$789 ₾2,069
219.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,188 $4,188
$2,468 ₾6,472
69.70%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$4,101 $4,101
$1,456 ₾3,817
181.78%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Portland, ME
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,587 $4,587
$659 ₾1,729
595.92%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.71
11.89
-43.57%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Portland, ME: July 12, 2026

Last update for Tbilisi: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,003 in Portland, ME and $687 in Tbilisi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Portland, ME pays 596% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $118 in Portland, ME vs $44.00 in Tbilisi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $433 vs $205 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
Portland, ME vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Portland, ME and in Tbilisi?
Portland, ME and Tbilisi differ by about 153% in total monthly costs ($3,027 vs $1,197 including rent). Tbilisi is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Portland, ME or Tbilisi?
Average pay runs 596% higher in Portland, ME, 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 Portland, ME and in Tbilisi?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,003 in Portland, ME versus $687 in Tbilisi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Portland, ME or Tbilisi?
All in, you'll spend $3,027 per month in Portland, ME versus $1,197 in Tbilisi – a 153% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Portland, ME and in Tbilisi?
A monthly transit pass in Tbilisi runs roughly 304% less than in Portland, ME. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,197 in Tbilisi versus $3,027 in Portland, ME, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tbilisi but tight or insufficient in Portland, ME. The gap between the two cities makes Tbilisi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Portland, ME 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 Portland, ME or Tbilisi safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Portland, ME 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: Portland, ME or Tbilisi?
Expats usually find Tbilisi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 153% less than in Portland, ME. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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