Cost of Living Comparison Between Rustavi and Tbilisi Cost of Living Comparison Between Rustavi and Tbilisi

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $872 per month in Rustavi vs $1,218 in Tbilisi, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,287 per month in Rustavi vs $1,853 in Tbilisi, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,703 per month in Rustavi vs $2,489 in Tbilisi, rent included.

Rustavi is about 28% cheaper than Tbilisi, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Rustavi and Tbilisi are more affordable than the global median – Rustavi 35% lower, Tbilisi 9% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rustavi
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.00 ₾29.12
$10.85 ₾28.75
1.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$28.81 ₾76.3
$44.17 ₾117
-34.77%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.47 ₾22.43
$8.28 ₾21.94
2.29%
Cappuccino
$1.90 ₾5.04
$3.02 ₾8.00
-37.09%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76 ₾2.01
$0.76 ₾2.02
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46 ₾1.22
$0.46 ₾1.22
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.16 ₾5.73
$2.24 ₾5.93
-3.57%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84 ₾7.53
$3.00 ₾7.95
-5.33%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rustavi
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.85 ₾4.91
$1.93 ₾5.11
-4.15%
White Bread (500g)
$0.69 ₾1.82
$0.72 ₾1.91
-4.17%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.56 ₾4.12
$1.84 ₾4.87
-15.22%
Eggs
$2.22 ₾5.88
$2.45 ₾6.48
-9.39%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.58 ₾20.07
$7.43 ₾19.67
2.02%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.50 ₾11.92
$6.48 ₾17.16
-30.56%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.13 ₾24.17
$9.70 ₾25.70
-5.88%
Apples (1kg)
$0.90 ₾2.38
$1.20 ₾3.18
-25.00%
Banana (1kg)
$1.65 ₾4.38
$1.56 ₾4.14
5.77%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.80 ₾4.76
$1.79 ₾4.75
0.56%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.99 ₾2.63
$2.23 ₾5.90
-55.61%
Potato (1kg)
$0.65 ₾1.72
$0.65 ₾1.73
-
Onion (1kg)
$0.62 ₾1.63
$0.68 ₾1.79
-8.82%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.22 ₾3.23
$1.19 ₾3.16
2.52%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70 ₾1.85
$0.70 ₾1.86
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.93 ₾7.75
$2.95 ₾7.82
-0.68%
Wine (Bottle)
$3.77 ₾9.99
$7.33 ₾19.41
-48.57%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.46 ₾3.87
$1.52 ₾4.02
-3.95%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.21 ₾5.85
$2.25 ₾5.95
-1.78%
🚌 Getting Around
Rustavi
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.23 ₾0.60
$0.36 ₾0.95
-36.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$10.66 ₾28.25
$14.60 ₾38.68
-26.99%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.31 ₾3.48
$1.50 ₾3.97
-12.67%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.35 ₾0.93
$0.73 ₾1.92
-52.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.56 ₾9.42
$7.45 ₾19.74
-52.21%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.10 ₾2.91
$1.14 ₾3.01
-3.51%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.4K ₾48.8K
$18.5K ₾49.0K
-0.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$8,992 ₾23.8K
$20.3K ₾53.6K
-55.60%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rustavi
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$73.5 ₾195
$73.9 ₾196
-0.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.41 ₾19.62
$11.71 ₾31.01
-36.72%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.05 ₾29.27
$18.16 ₾48.09
-39.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rustavi
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$25.38 ₾67.2
$61.7 ₾163
-58.87%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.42 ₾48.79
$16.66 ₾44.12
10.56%
Cinema Ticket
$6.61 ₾17.51
$6.61 ₾17.50
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rustavi
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$268 ₾709
$264 ₾700
1.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,143 ₾13.6K
$5,145 ₾13.6K
-0.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rustavi
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$73.3 ₾194
$74.9 ₾198
-2.12%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.75 ₾116
$43.98 ₾117
-0.52%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$105 ₾277
$118 ₾312
-10.96%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103 ₾273
$114 ₾301
-9.44%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rustavi
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$253 ₾670
$692 ₾1,833
-63.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$239 ₾634
$454 ₾1,203
-47.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$447 ₾1,185
$1,323 ₾3,504
-66.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$296 ₾785
$789 ₾2,089
-62.43%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,045 ₾2,767
$2,431 ₾6,440
-57.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$746 ₾1,976
$1,441 ₾3,818
-48.24%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rustavi
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$431 ₾1,143
$645 ₾1,709
-33.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.89
11.89
-

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

Last update for Rustavi: June 9, 2026

Last update for Tbilisi: June 9, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $253 in Rustavi 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.

Salaries run about 50% higher in Tbilisi, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $29.00 in Rustavi versus $44.00 in Tbilisi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $175 vs $204 – making Rustavi 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
Rustavi vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Rustavi and Tbilisi compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $872 in Rustavi, $1,218 in Tbilisi – roughly 40% apart. Tbilisi costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Rustavi compared to Tbilisi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,308 per month in Rustavi and $1,827 in Tbilisi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Rustavi and Tbilisi?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Rustavi, 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 $29.00 in Rustavi and $44.00 in Tbilisi. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Rustavi or Tbilisi?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $872 in Rustavi and $1,218 in Tbilisi. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Rustavi, where all-in costs run around $872, than in Tbilisi at $1,218. In Rustavi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tbilisi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Rustavi and Tbilisi?
It depends on your priorities. Tbilisi has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $872 in Rustavi to $1,218 in Tbilisi. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Rustavi 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 Rustavi and Tbilisi?
If budget matters most, go with Rustavi. 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.

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