πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $2,848 in South Portland, ME versus $1,185 in Tbilisi.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $4,152 in South Portland, ME versus $1,834 in Tbilisi.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,457 in South Portland, ME versus $2,483 in Tbilisi.
πLiving in South Portland, ME is roughly 140% more expensive than Tbilisi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: South Portland, ME is 113% above, Tbilisi is 12% below.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
South Portland, ME
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.64$19.64
$11.15βΎ30.00
76.14%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$70.3$70.3
$43.13βΎ116
63.02%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.13$12.13
$8.22βΎ22.11
47.57%
Cappuccino
$5.02$5.02
$3.13βΎ8.42
60.38%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.94$2.94
$0.74βΎ2.00
297.30%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38$2.38
$0.45βΎ1.22
428.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.82$5.82
$2.13βΎ5.74
173.24%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.96$6.96
$2.99βΎ8.06
132.78%
π Groceries & Markets
South Portland, ME
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.92$0.92
$1.89βΎ5.09
-51.32%
White Bread(500g)
$3.43$3.43
$0.73βΎ1.97
369.86%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.80$5.80
$1.85βΎ4.98
213.51%
Eggs
$4.09$4.09
$2.45βΎ6.58
66.94%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.47$16.47
$7.85βΎ21.12
109.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.58$10.58
$6.25βΎ16.82
69.28%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.53$16.53
$9.77βΎ26.28
69.19%
Apples(1kg)
$3.35$3.35
$1.21βΎ3.26
176.86%
Banana(1kg)
$1.46$1.46
$1.59βΎ4.28
-8.18%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.13$4.13
$1.79βΎ4.81
130.73%
Tomato(1kg)
$7.60$7.60
$2.32βΎ6.25
227.59%
Potato(1kg)
$3.13$3.13
$0.71βΎ1.91
340.85%
Onion(1kg)
$2.92$2.92
$0.67βΎ1.81
335.82%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.87$1.87
$1.18βΎ3.16
58.47%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.65$1.65
$0.71βΎ1.92
132.39%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$12.55$12.55
$2.92βΎ7.85
329.79%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.25$15.25
$7.25βΎ19.50
110.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71$1.71
$1.55βΎ4.17
10.32%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.02$3.02
$2.31βΎ6.21
30.74%
π Getting Around
South Portland, ME
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.02$2.02
$0.38βΎ1.03
431.58%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$14.81βΎ39.83
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.98$1.98
$1.48βΎ3.98
33.78%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.75$1.75
$0.69βΎ1.86
153.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.66$29.66
$7.45βΎ20.05
298.12%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.86$0.86
$1.15βΎ3.10
-25.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.4K$27.4K
$18.0KβΎ48.4K
52.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.8K$24.8K
$19.8KβΎ53.4K
25.11%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
South Portland, ME
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$211$211
$73.4βΎ198
186.79%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$55.2$55.2
$11.64βΎ31.32
374.31%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.7$64.7
$17.77βΎ47.79
264.04%
π Sport & Entertainment
South Portland, ME
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.68$42.68
$60.6βΎ163
-29.54%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$30.21$30.21
$16.44βΎ44.21
83.76%
Cinema Ticket
$15.06$15.06
$6.51βΎ17.52
131.34%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
South Portland, ME
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$398$398
$263βΎ707
51.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8K$14.8K
$5,136βΎ13.8K
188.32%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
South Portland, ME
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.39$48.39
$77.7βΎ209
-37.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.37$33.37
$44.39βΎ119
-24.83%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$85.1$85.1
$118βΎ317
-27.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$135$135
$114βΎ307
18.04%
π Accommodation & Living
South Portland, ME
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,950$1,950
$693βΎ1,865
181.33%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,537$1,537
$462βΎ1,244
232.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,361$3,361
$1,337βΎ3,597
151.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,618$2,618
$779βΎ2,096
235.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,709$2,709
$2,530βΎ6,805
7.07%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,324$2,324
$1,430βΎ3,847
62.54%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
South Portland, ME
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,313$4,313
$633βΎ1,702
581.83%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.71
11.89
-43.57%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for South Portland, ME: April 27, 2026
Last update for Tbilisi: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,950 in South Portland, ME and $693 in Tbilisi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°South Portland, ME pays 582% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $70.0 in South Portland, ME vs $43.00 in Tbilisi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $403 vs $206 per month, with Tbilisi 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
South Portland, ME vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, South Portland, ME or Tbilisi?
Tbilisi wins on cost β living expenses run 140% lower than in South Portland, ME. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Tbilisi the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in South Portland, ME or Tbilisi?
South Portland, ME pays 582% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in South Portland, ME vs Tbilisi?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,950 in South Portland, ME versus $693 in Tbilisi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in South Portland, ME and Tbilisi?
Childcare runs $398 in South Portland, ME versus $263 in Tbilisi. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in South Portland, ME vs Tbilisi?
Dining out is cheaper in Tbilisi β a meal for two runs $43.00 versus $70.0 in South Portland, ME. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $2,000/month in South Portland, ME or Tbilisi?
At $1,185 in Tbilisi versus $2,848 in South Portland, ME, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tbilisi but tight or insufficient in South Portland, ME. The gap between the two cities makes Tbilisi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, South Portland, ME or Tbilisi?
Both work as nomad bases, but Tbilisi delivers better value β similar infrastructure at $1,185 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Tbilisi hard to pass up.
How safe is South Portland, ME compared to Tbilisi?
Safety-wise, South Portland, ME 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Tbilisi gentler on the wallet β expenses run 140% less than in South Portland, ME. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
South Portland, ME vs other spots: cost of living compared