🙂A single person spends $527 per month in Surakarta vs $1,247 in Tbilisi, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $849 per month in Surakarta vs $2,025 in Tbilisi, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,172 per month in Surakarta vs $2,803 in Tbilisi, rent included.
🙂Surakarta is about 58% cheaper than Tbilisi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Surakarta and Tbilisi are more affordable than the global median – Surakarta62% lower, Tbilisi9% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Surakarta
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.66Rp 29.3K
$11.33₾29.45
-85.35%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.67Rp 206.6K
$38.71₾101
-69.85%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.14Rp 55.7K
$9.52₾24.73
-67.02%
Cappuccino
$1.59Rp 28.2K
$3.41₾8.85
-53.37%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49Rp 8,756
$1.04₾2.71
-52.88%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23Rp 4,051
$0.64₾1.66
-64.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.43Rp 25.3K
$2.61₾6.79
-45.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90Rp 51.4K
$3.24₾8.43
-10.49%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Surakarta
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.91Rp 16.1K
$2.17₾5.65
-58.06%
White Bread(500g)
$0.75Rp 13.3K
$0.74₾1.92
1.35%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.77Rp 13.7K
$1.71₾4.45
-54.97%
Eggs
$1.01Rp 17.9K
$2.83₾7.36
-64.31%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.02Rp 142.0K
$9.22₾23.95
-13.02%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$1.75Rp 30.9K
$6.76₾17.55
-74.11%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.35Rp 94.8K
$12.77₾33.17
-58.10%
Apples(1kg)
$2.11Rp 37.4K
$1.64₾4.26
28.66%
Banana(1kg)
$1.27Rp 22.5K
$1.77₾4.60
-28.25%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.94Rp 34.4K
$1.87₾4.85
3.74%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.46Rp 25.8K
$2.44₾6.34
-40.16%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38Rp 24.4K
$0.87₾2.25
58.62%
Onion(1kg)
$1.67Rp 29.6K
$0.65₾1.70
156.92%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.58Rp 10.3K
$1.40₾3.64
-58.57%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41Rp 7,247
$0.74₾1.93
-44.59%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.00Rp 35.4K
$3.41₾8.86
-41.35%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.57Rp 151.7K
$7.60₾19.75
12.76%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.74Rp 30.8K
$1.70₾4.41
2.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92Rp 51.6K
$2.38₾6.20
22.69%
🚌 Getting Around
Surakarta
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.39Rp 6,862
$0.36₾0.94
8.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$22.73Rp 402.5K
$15.24₾39.60
49.15%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.51Rp 9,109
$1.18₾3.07
-56.78%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.47Rp 8,269
$0.76₾1.97
-38.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.70Rp 47.8K
$11.34₾29.47
-76.19%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.73Rp 12.9K
$1.33₾3.46
-45.11%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.4KRp 450.5M
$24.7K₾64.2K
2.90%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.5KRp 592.7M
$22.0K₾57.2K
51.98%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Surakarta
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.3Rp 1.4M
$88.9₾231
-8.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.06Rp 36.4K
$13.33₾34.63
-84.55%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.91Rp 334.8K
$20.12₾52.3
-6.01%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Surakarta
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$16.12Rp 285.5K
$68.7₾178
-76.53%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.56Rp 151.6K
$18.09₾47.01
-52.68%
Cinema Ticket
$2.00Rp 35.5K
$6.72₾17.46
-70.24%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Surakarta
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$33.61Rp 595.2K
$374₾971
-91.00%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,873Rp 33.2M
$10.7K₾27.8K
-82.49%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Surakarta
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.2Rp 1.0M
$101₾263
-41.50%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.91Rp 653.5K
$39.33₾102
-6.15%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$71.7Rp 1.3M
$118₾305
-38.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$67.3Rp 1.2M
$122₾318
-44.95%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Surakarta
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$167Rp 3.0M
$682₾1,773
-75.51%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$57.0Rp 1.0M
$456₾1,186
-87.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$341Rp 6.0M
$1,303₾3,385
-73.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$197Rp 3.5M
$899₾2,337
-78.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,449₾6,365
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,452₾3,774
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Surakarta
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$163Rp 2.9M
$652₾1,695
-75.03%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.5
12.62
-40.57%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Surakarta: September 15, 2026
Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $167 in Surakarta versus $682 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 300% 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 $12.00 in Surakarta versus $39.00 in Tbilisi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $152 vs $232 – making Surakarta 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
Surakarta vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Surakarta and in Tbilisi compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $527 in Surakarta, $1,247 in Tbilisi – roughly 137% apart. Tbilisi costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Surakarta compared to Tbilisi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $790 per month in Surakarta and $1,870 in Tbilisi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Surakarta and Tbilisi?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Surakarta, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Surakarta and Tbilisi?
Kindergarten costs $33.61 per month in Surakarta and $374 in Tbilisi. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 53% more in Tbilisi, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Surakarta, where all-in costs run around $527, than in Tbilisi at $1,247. In Surakarta it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tbilisi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Surakarta and Tbilisi?
It depends on your priorities. Tbilisi has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $527 in Surakarta to $1,247 in Tbilisi. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Surakarta 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 Surakarta and Tbilisi?
If budget matters most, go with Surakarta. 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.