😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,540 in Sao Joao da Madeira versus $1,185 in Tbilisi.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,167 in Sao Joao da Madeira versus $1,834 in Tbilisi.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,795 in Sao Joao da Madeira versus $2,483 in Tbilisi.
😐Living in Sao Joao da Madeira is roughly 30% more expensive than Tbilisi, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Sao Joao da Madeira is 15% above, Tbilisi is 12% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sao Joao da Madeira
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.50€8.99
$11.15₾30.00
-5.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.97€17.95
$43.13₾116
-51.38%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.18€7.00
$8.22₾22.11
-0.49%
Cappuccino
$1.19€1.02
$3.13₾8.42
-61.98%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.14€0.98
$0.74₾2.00
54.05%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05€0.90
$0.45₾1.22
133.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.26€1.94
$2.13₾5.74
6.10%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.34€2.01
$2.99₾8.06
-21.74%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sao Joao da Madeira
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.95€0.81
$1.89₾5.09
-49.74%
White Bread(500g)
$0.37€0.31
$0.73₾1.97
-49.32%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.13€0.97
$1.85₾4.98
-38.92%
Eggs
$2.88€2.46
$2.45₾6.58
17.55%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.74€7.48
$7.85₾21.12
11.34%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.67€4.86
$6.25₾16.82
-9.28%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.11€6.09
$9.77₾26.28
-27.23%
Apples(1kg)
$2.19€1.87
$1.21₾3.26
80.99%
Banana(1kg)
$1.52€1.30
$1.59₾4.28
-4.40%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.03€1.74
$1.79₾4.81
13.41%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.99€2.56
$2.32₾6.25
28.88%
Potato(1kg)
$1.33€1.14
$0.71₾1.91
87.32%
Onion(1kg)
$1.86€1.59
$0.67₾1.81
177.61%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.67€1.43
$1.18₾3.16
41.53%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.89€0.77
$0.71₾1.92
25.35%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.07€5.19
$2.92₾7.85
107.88%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.06€5.18
$7.25₾19.50
-16.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14€0.97
$1.55₾4.17
-26.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.71€2.32
$2.31₾6.21
17.32%
🚌 Getting Around
Sao Joao da Madeira
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.32€1.99
$0.38₾1.03
510.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$42.56€36.43
$14.81₾39.83
187.37%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.40€3.76
$1.48₾3.98
197.30%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.24€1.07
$0.69₾1.86
79.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.53€12.44
$7.45₾20.05
95.03%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.90€1.62
$1.15₾3.10
65.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.1K€32.6K
$18.0K₾48.4K
111.82%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.1K€34.4K
$19.8K₾53.4K
102.42%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sao Joao da Madeira
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$135€115
$73.4₾198
83.21%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.59€18.48
$11.64₾31.32
85.48%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$41.47€35.49
$17.77₾47.79
133.37%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sao Joao da Madeira
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.71€33.99
$60.6₾163
-34.44%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$16.44₾44.21
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.96€5.10
$6.51₾17.52
-8.45%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sao Joao da Madeira
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$345€295
$263₾707
31.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,190€7,010
$5,136₾13.8K
59.45%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sao Joao da Madeira
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$74.1€63.4
$77.7₾209
-4.68%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.83€28.96
$44.39₾119
-23.79%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.1€78.8
$118₾317
-21.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$155€133
$114₾307
35.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sao Joao da Madeira
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$930€796
$693₾1,865
34.11%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$720€617
$462₾1,244
55.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,476€1,264
$1,337₾3,597
10.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,159€992
$779₾2,096
48.71%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,148€2,695
$2,530₾6,805
24.44%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,211€1,893
$1,430₾3,847
54.65%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sao Joao da Madeira
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,120€959
$633₾1,702
77.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.43
11.89
-54.33%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sao Joao da Madeira: April 28, 2026
Last update for Tbilisi: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $930 in Sao Joao da Madeira and $693 in Tbilisi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Sao Joao da Madeira pays 77% 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: $21.00 in Sao Joao da Madeira vs $43.00 in Tbilisi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $197 vs $206 per month, with Sao Joao da Madeira 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
Sao Joao da Madeira vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tbilisi cheaper than Sao Joao da Madeira?
Tbilisi is cheaper overall, especially in Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 30% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Sao Joao da Madeira or Tbilisi?
Sao Joao da Madeira pays 77% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Sao Joao da Madeira and Tbilisi?
Rent for a central apartment: $930 in Sao Joao da Madeira versus $693 in Tbilisi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Sao Joao da Madeira and Tbilisi?
Shoppers in Sao Joao da Madeira pay roughly 5% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Is eating out cheaper in Sao Joao da Madeira or Tbilisi?
Dining out is cheaper in Tbilisi – a meal for two runs $43.00 versus $21.00 in Sao Joao da Madeira. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for Sao Joao da Madeira or Tbilisi?
At $1,185 in Tbilisi versus $1,540 in Sao Joao da Madeira, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tbilisi but tight or insufficient in Sao Joao da Madeira. The gap between the two cities makes Tbilisi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Sao Joao da Madeira or Tbilisi more family-friendly?
For families, Tbilisi is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Sao Joao da Madeira, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Sao Joao da Madeira or Tbilisi?
Safety-wise, Sao Joao da Madeira 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.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Tbilisi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 30% less than in Sao Joao da Madeira. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Sao Joao da Madeira vs other spots: cost of living compared