Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Samokov and Tbilisi

For one person, living is cheaper in Samokov: $1,040 a month against $1,269 in Tbilisi, rent and utilities included – about $2,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Samokov, Bulgaria
Tbilisi, Georgia
Samokov
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
$1,040
/mo nomad
Tbilisi
🇬🇪 Georgia
$1,269
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Samokov 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 Samokov and in Tbilisi actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,040 per month in Samokov vs $1,269 in Tbilisi, rent included.

  • Samokov $1,040
  • Tbilisi $1,269

A couple spends around $1,626 per month in Samokov vs $2,016 in Tbilisi, rent included.

  • Samokov $1,626
  • Tbilisi $2,016

A family of three spends $2,211 per month in Samokov vs $2,763 in Tbilisi, rent included.

  • Samokov $2,211
  • Tbilisi $2,763

Samokov is about 18% cheaper than Tbilisi, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Both Samokov and Tbilisi are more affordable than the global median – Samokov 24% lower, Tbilisi 7% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Samokov
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.39 BGN 16.53
$11.63 ₾30.07
-19.26%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$45.86 BGN 80.7
$37.83 ₾97.8
21.23%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.56 BGN 16.82
$9.66 ₾24.98
-1.04%
Cappuccino
$2.89 BGN 5.09
$3.57 ₾9.24
-19.05%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.76 BGN 3.10
$1.08 ₾2.78
62.96%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52 BGN 2.68
$0.56 ₾1.45
171.43%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.64 BGN 4.65
$2.62 ₾6.78
0.76%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.26 BGN 7.50
$3.04 ₾7.85
40.13%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Samokov
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.80 BGN 3.16
$2.17 ₾5.60
-17.05%
White Bread (500g)
$1.20 BGN 2.11
$0.80 ₾2.06
50.00%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.22 BGN 3.91
$1.74 ₾4.51
27.59%
Eggs
$3.57 BGN 6.27
$2.83 ₾7.31
26.15%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.67 BGN 20.54
$9.31 ₾24.07
25.35%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.22 BGN 14.46
$6.52 ₾16.85
26.07%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.86 BGN 24.39
$12.95 ₾33.50
7.03%
Apples (1kg)
$1.72 BGN 3.02
$1.68 ₾4.34
2.38%
Banana (1kg)
$1.87 BGN 3.29
$1.85 ₾4.79
1.08%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.94 BGN 3.41
$1.97 ₾5.10
-1.52%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.65 BGN 4.66
$2.42 ₾6.25
9.50%
Potato (1kg)
$1.04 BGN 1.83
$0.82 ₾2.11
26.83%
Onion (1kg)
$1.09 BGN 1.92
$0.74 ₾1.91
47.30%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.22 BGN 2.14
$1.34 ₾3.47
-8.96%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72 BGN 1.26
$0.77 ₾2.00
-6.49%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.13 BGN 7.27
$3.57 ₾9.24
15.69%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.04 BGN 10.64
$7.67 ₾19.83
-21.25%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.13 BGN 2.00
$1.70 ₾4.39
-33.53%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.07 BGN 3.64
$2.40 ₾6.21
-13.75%
🚌 Getting Around
Samokov
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.78 BGN 1.38
$0.40 ₾1.05
95.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$29.05 BGN 51.1
$15.23 ₾39.38
90.74%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.27 BGN 2.24
$1.14 ₾2.95
11.40%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.65 BGN 1.14
$0.78 ₾2.02
-16.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.14 BGN 17.85
$11.83 ₾30.58
-14.29%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.74 BGN 3.06
$1.45 ₾3.75
20.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.3K BGN 53.3K
$24.6K ₾63.6K
23.22%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.6K BGN 43.3K
$22.3K ₾57.8K
10.14%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Samokov
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$114 BGN 201
$88.8 ₾230
28.86%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.73 BGN 32.97
$13.12 ₾33.93
42.76%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.22 BGN 26.78
$19.67 ₾50.9
-22.62%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Samokov
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$31.51 BGN 55.5
$64.1 ₾166
-50.80%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.93 BGN 33.32
$19.04 ₾49.24
-0.58%
Cinema Ticket
$9.31 BGN 16.39
$7.12 ₾18.42
30.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Samokov
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$584 BGN 1,028
$375 ₾971
55.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,533 BGN 9,738
$10.5K ₾27.1K
-47.16%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Samokov
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.2 BGN 120
$104 ₾268
-34.19%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.21 BGN 72.5
$39.26 ₾102
4.97%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$96.7 BGN 170
$117 ₾303
-17.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103 BGN 182
$122 ₾315
-15.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Samokov
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$344 BGN 606
$695 ₾1,798
-50.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$240 BGN 423
$451 ₾1,167
-46.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$541 BGN 952
$1,355 ₾3,504
-60.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$370 BGN 652
$906 ₾2,343
-59.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,404 BGN 2,471
$2,295 ₾5,934
-38.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,108 BGN 1,950
$1,345 ₾3,478
-17.62%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Samokov
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$742 BGN 1,306
$664 ₾1,718
11.67%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.1
12.62
-75.44%

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

Last update for Samokov: October 25, 2026

Last update for Tbilisi: October 27, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Samokov
$252
Tbilisi
$234 7.2% $18
Accommodation & Living
Samokov
$240
Tbilisi
$451 87.7% $211
Eating Out
Samokov
$173
Tbilisi
$191 9.9% $17
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Samokov
$148
Tbilisi
$122 18% $27
Clothing & Footwear
Samokov
$139
Tbilisi
$172 23.5% $33
Sport & Entertainment
Samokov
$50
Tbilisi
$78 56.2% $28
Getting Around
Samokov
$37
Tbilisi
$22 40.3% $15

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $344 in Samokov 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 run about 12% higher in Samokov, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $46 in Samokov versus $38 in Tbilisi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $252 vs $234 – making Tbilisi the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇧🇬 Samokov
🇬🇪 Tbilisi
🕒 Local time
05:08 5:08 AM
07:08 7:08 AM
2 h ahead of Samokov
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
25,138
1,241,700 Capital
💱 Currency
Bulgarian Lev BGN лв.
Exchange rates and currency converter

GEL, USD, EUR to BGN – Bulgarian Lev Converter

Bulgarian Lev exchange rates as of October 29, 2026: 1 USD = 1.76 BGN (1 BGN = 0.568 USD). 1 EUR = 1.96 BGN (1 BGN = 0.51 EUR).

Georgian Lari exchange rates as of October 29, 2026: 1 USD = 2.59 GEL (1 GEL = 0.387 USD). 1 EUR = 2.88 GEL (1 GEL = 0.347 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Samokov Tbilisi 1,750 km ≈ 2 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Samokov
  • 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
Samokov vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Samokov or Tbilisi?
Tbilisi costs about 22% more than Samokov, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from clothing. 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 Samokov and in Tbilisi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,561 per month in Samokov 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, Samokov or Tbilisi?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Samokov, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $344 there versus $695 in Tbilisi.
How do childcare costs compare in Samokov and in Tbilisi?
Kindergarten costs $584 per month in Samokov and $375 in Tbilisi. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Samokov or in Tbilisi?
Interestingly, groceries are about 7% cheaper in Tbilisi – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Samokov or in Tbilisi?
$1,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $1,040 in Samokov and $1,269 in Tbilisi. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Samokov or Tbilisi?
It depends on your priorities. Tbilisi has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,040 in Samokov to $1,269 in Tbilisi. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How safe is Samokov compared to Tbilisi?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.

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