πA single person spends $309 per month in Punakha vs $1,218 in Tbilisi, rent included.
πA couple spends around $467 per month in Punakha vs $1,853 in Tbilisi, rent included.
πA family of three spends $625 per month in Punakha vs $2,489 in Tbilisi, rent included.
πPunakha is about 75% cheaper than Tbilisi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Punakha and Tbilisi are more affordable than the global median β Punakha77% lower, Tbilisi9% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Punakha
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$10.85βΎ28.75
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$44.17βΎ117
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$8.28βΎ21.94
-
Cappuccino
-
$3.02βΎ8.00
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.76βΎ2.02
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.46βΎ1.22
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.24βΎ5.93
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.00βΎ7.95
-
π Groceries & Markets
Punakha
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.79BTNΒ 66.9
$1.93βΎ5.11
-59.07%
White Bread(500g)
$0.50BTNΒ 42.20
$0.72βΎ1.91
-30.56%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.61BTNΒ 51.5
$1.84βΎ4.87
-66.85%
Eggs
$1.69BTNΒ 143
$2.45βΎ6.48
-31.02%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.74BTNΒ 400
$7.43βΎ19.67
-36.20%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.17BTNΒ 268
$6.48βΎ17.16
-51.08%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$3.44BTNΒ 290
$9.70βΎ25.70
-64.54%
Apples(1kg)
$3.99BTNΒ 337
$1.20βΎ3.18
232.50%
Banana(1kg)
$2.30BTNΒ 194
$1.56βΎ4.14
47.44%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.26BTNΒ 191
$1.79βΎ4.75
26.26%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.80BTNΒ 67.5
$2.23βΎ5.90
-64.13%
Potato(1kg)
$0.54BTNΒ 45.82
$0.65βΎ1.73
-16.92%
Onion(1kg)
$0.93BTNΒ 78.2
$0.68βΎ1.79
36.76%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.30BTNΒ 25.39
$1.19βΎ3.16
-74.79%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48BTNΒ 40.72
$0.70βΎ1.86
-31.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.54BTNΒ 299
$2.95βΎ7.82
20.00%
Wine(Bottle)
$3.11BTNΒ 263
$7.33βΎ19.41
-57.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.83BTNΒ 70.0
$1.52βΎ4.02
-45.39%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.36BTNΒ 115
$2.25βΎ5.95
-39.56%
π Getting Around
Punakha
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.31BTNΒ 195
$0.36βΎ0.95
541.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$14.60βΎ38.68
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$1.50βΎ3.97
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$0.73βΎ1.92
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$7.45βΎ19.74
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$1.14βΎ3.01
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$18.5KβΎ49.0K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$20.3KβΎ53.6K
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Punakha
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$73.9βΎ196
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$11.71βΎ31.01
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.24BTNΒ 1,455
$18.16βΎ48.09
-5.07%
π Sport & Entertainment
Punakha
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$61.7βΎ163
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$16.66βΎ44.12
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$6.61βΎ17.50
-
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Punakha
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$264βΎ700
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$5,145βΎ13.6K
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Punakha
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$26.24BTNΒ 2,215
$74.9βΎ198
-64.95%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$11.51BTNΒ 972
$43.98βΎ117
-73.83%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$56.0BTNΒ 4,724
$118βΎ312
-52.43%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$40.74BTNΒ 3,439
$114βΎ301
-64.19%
π Accommodation & Living
Punakha
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$106BTNΒ 8,938
$692βΎ1,833
-84.70%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$94.3BTNΒ 7,957
$454βΎ1,203
-79.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$107BTNΒ 9,026
$1,323βΎ3,504
-91.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$132BTNΒ 11.2K
$789βΎ2,089
-83.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,184BTNΒ 268.8K
$2,431βΎ6,440
30.96%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,954BTNΒ 249.4K
$1,441βΎ3,818
104.98%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Punakha
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$243BTNΒ 20.5K
$645βΎ1,709
-62.26%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
11.89
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Punakha: June 9, 2026
Last update for Tbilisi: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $106 in Punakha versus $692 in Tbilisi. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 165% higher in Tbilisi, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
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
Punakha vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Punakha or Tbilisi?
Tbilisi costs about 294% more than Punakha, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Punakha vs Tbilisi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $463 per month in Punakha and $1,827 in Tbilisi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Punakha or Tbilisi?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Punakha, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Punakha compared to Tbilisi?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $309 in Punakha and $1,218 in Tbilisi. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Are groceries more expensive in Punakha or Tbilisi?
Groceries cost about 54% more in Tbilisi, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Punakha or Tbilisi?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Punakha, where all-in costs run around $309, than in Tbilisi at $1,218. In Punakha it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tbilisi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Punakha or Tbilisi?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Punakha costs $309 versus $1,218 in Tbilisi. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Punakha compared to Tbilisi?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Punakha or Tbilisi?
If budget matters most, go with Punakha. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Tbilisi makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.