Cost of Living Comparison Between Riobamba and Tbilisi Cost of Living Comparison Between Riobamba and Tbilisi

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $571 in Riobamba versus $1,197 in Tbilisi.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $897 in Riobamba versus $1,868 in Tbilisi.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,222 in Riobamba versus $2,538 in Tbilisi.

Living in Riobamba costs roughly 52% less than in Tbilisi, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Riobamba 57% lower, Tbilisi 10% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Riobamba
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.57 $3.57
$10.82 ₾28.39
-67.01%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.74 $14.74
$43.85 ₾115
-66.39%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.64 $6.64
$8.31 ₾21.80
-20.10%
Cappuccino
$1.91 $1.91
$2.97 ₾7.78
-35.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79 $0.79
$0.77 ₾2.01
2.60%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64 $0.64
$0.46 ₾1.20
39.13%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.51 $1.51
$2.14 ₾5.63
-29.44%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.51 $2.51
$2.87 ₾7.52
-12.54%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Riobamba
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.98 $0.98
$1.90 ₾4.99
-48.42%
White Bread (500g)
$1.69 $1.69
$0.71 ₾1.86
138.03%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.87 $0.87
$1.91 ₾5.00
-54.45%
Eggs
$1.68 $1.68
$2.48 ₾6.52
-32.26%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$1.97 $1.97
$7.74 ₾20.29
-74.55%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.24 $3.24
$6.18 ₾16.21
-47.57%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.66 $4.66
$9.57 ₾25.12
-51.31%
Apples (1kg)
$1.47 $1.47
$1.17 ₾3.06
25.64%
Banana (1kg)
$0.48 $0.48
$1.65 ₾4.34
-70.91%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.17 $1.17
$1.85 ₾4.84
-36.76%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.98 $0.98
$2.33 ₾6.11
-57.94%
Potato (1kg)
$0.84 $0.84
$0.71 ₾1.85
18.31%
Onion (1kg)
$0.87 $0.87
$0.67 ₾1.76
29.85%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.47 $0.47
$1.19 ₾3.12
-60.50%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.99 $0.99
$0.66 ₾1.72
50.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.84 $5.84
$2.92 ₾7.65
100.00%
Wine (Bottle)
$5.63 $5.63
$7.69 ₾20.18
-26.79%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.46 $1.46
$1.59 ₾4.18
-8.18%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.32 $3.32
$2.31 ₾6.06
43.72%
🚌 Getting Around
Riobamba
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.27 $0.27
$0.38 ₾1.01
-28.95%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$24.32 $24.32
$14.76 ₾38.72
64.77%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.66 $0.66
$1.50 ₾3.92
-56.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.98 $0.98
$0.68 ₾1.77
44.12%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$13.61 $13.61
$7.26 ₾19.04
87.47%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.68 $0.68
$1.09 ₾2.87
-37.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.9K $29.9K
$18.6K ₾48.8K
60.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.2K $29.2K
$20.5K ₾53.7K
42.51%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Riobamba
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$20.29 $20.29
$73.0 ₾192
-72.21%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.92 $6.92
$11.97 ₾31.41
-42.19%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.08 $31.08
$18.00 ₾47.22
72.67%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Riobamba
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$24.71 $24.71
$61.0 ₾160
-59.48%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.85 $14.85
$16.52 ₾43.34
-10.11%
Cinema Ticket
$5.93 $5.93
$6.70 ₾17.58
-11.49%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Riobamba
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$78.9 $78.9
$269 ₾705
-70.65%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,441 $1,441
$5,152 ₾13.5K
-72.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Riobamba
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.7 $50.7
$76.5 ₾201
-33.72%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.4 $50.4
$43.41 ₾114
16.19%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$99.0 $99.0
$120 ₾316
-17.79%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$65.8 $65.8
$111 ₾290
-40.51%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Riobamba
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$116 $116
$687 ₾1,803
-83.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$96.7 $96.7
$470 ₾1,234
-79.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$223 $223
$1,353 ₾3,550
-83.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$186 $186
$789 ₾2,069
-76.36%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,182 $1,182
$2,468 ₾6,473
-52.11%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$847 $847
$1,456 ₾3,818
-41.82%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Riobamba
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$328 $328
$659 ₾1,729
-50.19%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.48
11.89
-3.45%

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

Last update for Riobamba: July 13, 2026

Last update for Tbilisi: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $116 in Riobamba and $687 in Tbilisi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Tbilisi pays 101% 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: $15.00 in Riobamba vs $44.00 in Tbilisi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $136 vs $205 per month, with Riobamba 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
Riobamba vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Riobamba and in Tbilisi?
Riobamba and Tbilisi differ by about 110% in total monthly costs ($571 vs $1,197 including rent). Riobamba is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 101% lower in Tbilisi. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Riobamba and in Tbilisi?
Rent for a central apartment: $116 in Riobamba versus $687 in Tbilisi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Riobamba and Tbilisi?
Childcare runs $78.9 in Riobamba versus $269 in Tbilisi. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 51% higher in Tbilisi. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $571 in Riobamba versus $1,197 in Tbilisi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Riobamba but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Riobamba the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Riobamba 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 Riobamba or Tbilisi safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Riobamba 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: Riobamba or Tbilisi?
Expats usually find Riobamba gentler on the wallet – expenses run 110% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Riobamba vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities