Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Rapid City, SD and Tbilisi

For one person, living is cheaper in Tbilisi: $1,269 a month against $2,431 in Rapid City, SD, rent and utilities included – about $13,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Rapid City, SD, United States
Tbilisi, Georgia
Rapid City, SD
🇺🇸 United States
$2,431
/mo nomad
Tbilisi
🇬🇪 Georgia
$1,269
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Rapid City, SD and in Tbilisi

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Rapid City, SD and in Tbilisi actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,431 per month in Rapid City, SD vs $1,269 in Tbilisi, rent included.

  • Rapid City, SD $2,431
  • Tbilisi $1,269

A couple spends around $3,376 per month in Rapid City, SD vs $2,016 in Tbilisi, rent included.

  • Rapid City, SD $3,376
  • Tbilisi $2,016

A family of three spends $4,320 per month in Rapid City, SD vs $2,763 in Tbilisi, rent included.

  • Rapid City, SD $4,320
  • Tbilisi $2,763

Rapid City, SD costs about 92% more than Tbilisi, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Rapid City, SD sits 79% above the global median, while Tbilisi is 7% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rapid City, SD
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.22 $17.22
$11.63 ₾30.07
48.07%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$61.6 $61.6
$37.83 ₾97.8
62.70%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.88 $10.88
$9.66 ₾24.98
12.63%
Cappuccino
$5.66 $5.66
$3.57 ₾9.24
58.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33 $2.33
$1.08 ₾2.78
115.74%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.71 $1.71
$0.56 ₾1.45
205.36%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.02 $4.02
$2.62 ₾6.78
53.44%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.43 $5.43
$3.04 ₾7.85
78.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rapid City, SD
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.07 $1.07
$2.17 ₾5.60
-50.69%
White Bread (500g)
$3.12 $3.12
$0.80 ₾2.06
290.00%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.94 $1.94
$1.74 ₾4.51
11.49%
Eggs
$4.36 $4.36
$2.83 ₾7.31
54.06%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.35 $13.35
$9.31 ₾24.07
43.39%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.16 $8.16
$6.52 ₾16.85
25.15%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.60 $12.60
$12.95 ₾33.50
-2.70%
Apples (1kg)
$3.53 $3.53
$1.68 ₾4.33
110.12%
Banana (1kg)
$1.29 $1.29
$1.85 ₾4.79
-30.27%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.60 $2.60
$1.97 ₾5.10
31.98%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.74 $3.74
$2.42 ₾6.25
54.55%
Potato (1kg)
$1.87 $1.87
$0.82 ₾2.11
128.05%
Onion (1kg)
$2.62 $2.62
$0.74 ₾1.91
254.05%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.09 $2.09
$1.34 ₾3.47
55.97%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.95 $2.95
$0.77 ₾2.00
283.12%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.78 $9.78
$3.57 ₾9.24
173.95%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.94 $13.94
$7.67 ₾19.83
81.75%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76 $1.76
$1.70 ₾4.39
3.53%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.89 $4.89
$2.40 ₾6.21
103.75%
🚌 Getting Around
Rapid City, SD
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.47 $1.47
$0.40 ₾1.05
267.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$30.31 $30.31
$15.23 ₾39.38
99.02%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.98 $2.98
$1.14 ₾2.95
161.40%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.21 $1.21
$0.78 ₾2.02
55.13%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.35 $25.35
$11.83 ₾30.58
114.29%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.87 $0.87
$1.45 ₾3.75
-40.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.4K $35.4K
$24.6K ₾63.6K
43.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.7K $31.7K
$22.3K ₾57.8K
42.01%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rapid City, SD
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$194 $194
$88.8 ₾230
118.20%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$46.70 $46.70
$13.12 ₾33.93
255.95%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.5 $60.5
$19.67 ₾50.9
207.32%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rapid City, SD
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$50.9 $50.9
$64.1 ₾166
-20.59%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.83 $14.83
$19.04 ₾49.24
-22.11%
Cinema Ticket
$11.79 $11.79
$7.12 ₾18.42
65.59%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rapid City, SD
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$767 $767
$375 ₾971
104.22%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$10.5K ₾27.1K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rapid City, SD
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.6 $62.6
$104 ₾268
-39.56%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$75.4 $75.4
$39.26 ₾102
92.05%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$77.6 $77.6
$117 ₾303
-33.85%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111 $111
$122 ₾315
-9.02%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rapid City, SD
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$973 $973
$695 ₾1,798
39.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,237 $1,237
$451 ₾1,167
174.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,751 $1,751
$1,355 ₾3,504
29.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,729 $1,729
$906 ₾2,343
90.86%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,637 $2,637
$2,295 ₾5,934
14.90%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,608 $2,608
$1,345 ₾3,478
93.95%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rapid City, SD
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,923 $3,923
$664 ₾1,718
490.65%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.44
12.62
-48.97%

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

Last update for Rapid City, SD: October 26, 2026

Last update for Tbilisi: October 27, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Rapid City, SD
$1.2K
Tbilisi
$451 63.5% $786
Groceries & Markets
Rapid City, SD
$341
Tbilisi
$234 31.5% $107
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rapid City, SD
$301
Tbilisi
$122 59.6% $179
Eating Out
Rapid City, SD
$285
Tbilisi
$191 33.2% $95
Clothing & Footwear
Rapid City, SD
$147
Tbilisi
$172 17% $25
Sport & Entertainment
Rapid City, SD
$74
Tbilisi
$78 5.2% $3.8
Getting Around
Rapid City, SD
$45
Tbilisi
$22 51.6% $23

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $973 in Rapid City, SD versus $695 in Tbilisi. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Rapid City, SD are about 5.9 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $62 in Rapid City, SD versus $38 in Tbilisi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $341 vs $234 – making Tbilisi the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Rapid City, SD
🇬🇪 Tbilisi
🕒 Local time
16:47 4:47 PM
03:47 3:47 AM
11 h ahead of Rapid City, SD
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
74,703
1,241,700 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

GEL, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.896 EUR).

Georgian Lari exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 2.59 GEL (1 GEL = 0.387 USD). 1 EUR = 2.89 GEL (1 GEL = 0.346 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Rapid City, SD Tbilisi 9,960 km ≈ 13 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Rapid City, SD
  • Tbilisi

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Rapid City, SD vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Rapid City, SD or Tbilisi?
Rapid City, SD costs about 92% more than Tbilisi, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 Rapid City, SD and in Tbilisi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,646 per month in Rapid City, SD and $1,904 in Tbilisi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Rapid City, SD or Tbilisi?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Tbilisi, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $695 there versus $973 in Rapid City, SD.
How do dining costs compare in Rapid City, SD and in Tbilisi?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $62 in Rapid City, SD and $38 in Tbilisi. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Rapid City, SD compared to Tbilisi?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,431 in Rapid City, SD and $1,269 in Tbilisi. That makes Tbilisi about 48% cheaper.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Rapid City, SD or in Tbilisi?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Tbilisi, where all-in costs run around $1,269, than in Rapid City, SD at $2,431. In Tbilisi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Rapid City, SD it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Tbilisi – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Should I move to Rapid City, SD or to Tbilisi?
If budget matters most, go with Tbilisi. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Rapid City, SD makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Rapid City, SD vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?