Cost of Living Comparison Between St John and Tbilisi Cost of Living Comparison Between St John and Tbilisi

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $319 in St John versus $1,247 in Tbilisi.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $931 in St John versus $2,025 in Tbilisi.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,542 in St John versus $2,803 in Tbilisi.

Living in St John costs roughly 74% less than in Tbilisi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: St John 77% lower, Tbilisi 9% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
St John
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.87 $19.87
$11.33 ₾29.45
75.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$177 $177
$38.71 ₾101
357.01%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$9.52 ₾24.73
-
Cappuccino
$6.91 $6.91
$3.41 ₾8.85
102.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.94 $2.94
$1.04 ₾2.71
182.69%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95 $1.95
$0.64 ₾1.66
204.69%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.99 $7.99
$2.61 ₾6.79
206.13%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.02 $8.02
$3.24 ₾8.43
147.53%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
St John
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
-
$2.17 ₾5.65
-
White Bread (500g)
-
$0.74 ₾1.92
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
-
$1.71 ₾4.45
-
Eggs
-
$2.83 ₾7.36
-
Local Cheese (1kg)
-
$9.22 ₾23.95
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
-
$6.76 ₾17.55
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
-
$12.77 ₾33.17
-
Apples (1kg)
-
$1.64 ₾4.26
-
Banana (1kg)
-
$1.77 ₾4.60
-
Oranges (1kg)
-
$1.87 ₾4.85
-
Tomato (1kg)
-
$2.44 ₾6.34
-
Potato (1kg)
-
$0.87 ₾2.25
-
Onion (1kg)
-
$0.65 ₾1.70
-
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$1.40 ₾3.64
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.74 ₾1.93
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
-
$3.41 ₾8.86
-
Wine (Bottle)
-
$7.60 ₾19.75
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.70 ₾4.41
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.38 ₾6.20
-
🚌 Getting Around
St John
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.36 ₾0.94
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$15.24 ₾39.60
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$1.18 ₾3.07
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$0.76 ₾1.97
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$11.34 ₾29.47
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.54 $1.54
$1.33 ₾3.46
15.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$24.7K ₾64.2K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$22.0K ₾57.2K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
St John
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$88.9 ₾231
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$13.33 ₾34.63
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$20.12 ₾52.3
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
St John
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$68.7 ₾178
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.09 ₾47.01
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$6.72 ₾17.46
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
St John
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$374 ₾971
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$13.3K $13.3K
$10.7K ₾27.8K
23.91%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
St John
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$101 ₾263
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$39.33 ₾102
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$118 ₾305
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$122 ₾318
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
St John
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$682 ₾1,773
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$456 ₾1,186
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,303 ₾3,385
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$899 ₾2,337
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$12.9K $12.9K
$2,449 ₾6,365
427.10%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,452 ₾3,774
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
St John
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,032 $5,032
$652 ₾1,695
671.46%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.05
12.62
-44.14%

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

Last update for St John: September 13, 2026

Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

St John pays 671% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out at a mid-range restaurant: $177 in St John vs $39.00 in Tbilisi for two.

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
St John vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in St John and in Tbilisi?
St John and Tbilisi differ by about 290% in total monthly costs ($319 vs $1,247 including rent). St John is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: St John or Tbilisi?
Average pay runs 671% higher in St John, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in St John – a meal for two runs $177 versus $39.00 in Tbilisi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: St John or Tbilisi?
All in, you'll spend $319 per month in St John versus $1,247 in Tbilisi – a 290% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $319 in St John versus $1,247 in Tbilisi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in St John but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes St John the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between St John 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 St John or Tbilisi safer for residents?
Safety-wise, St John 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: St John or Tbilisi?
Expats usually find St John gentler on the wallet – expenses run 290% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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