Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Arad Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Arad

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,279 per month in Tbilisi vs $933 in Arad, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,011 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,444 in Arad, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,743 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,955 in Arad, rent included.

Tbilisi costs about 37% more than Arad, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Tbilisi and Arad are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi 7% lower, Arad 32% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Arad
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.43 ₾29.72
$8.67 RON 39.26
31.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.16 ₾99.2
$34.10 RON 154
11.91%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.40 ₾24.45
$7.56 RON 34.26
24.34%
Cappuccino
$3.38 ₾8.78
$2.77 RON 12.52
22.02%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04 ₾2.70
$1.56 RON 7.09
-33.33%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60 ₾1.56
$1.69 RON 7.63
-64.50%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.71 ₾7.05
$2.17 RON 9.81
24.88%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.04 ₾7.90
$2.69 RON 12.16
13.01%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Arad
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.27 ₾5.90
$1.20 RON 5.43
89.17%
White Bread (500g)
$0.79 ₾2.04
$1.23 RON 5.59
-35.77%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.62 ₾4.21
$1.85 RON 8.36
-12.43%
Eggs
$2.74 ₾7.13
$2.72 RON 12.33
0.74%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.30 ₾24.19
$7.58 RON 34.31
22.69%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.79 ₾17.65
$5.23 RON 23.69
29.83%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.01 ₾33.84
$10.74 RON 48.65
21.14%
Apples (1kg)
$1.64 ₾4.27
$1.76 RON 7.97
-6.82%
Banana (1kg)
$1.83 ₾4.77
$1.88 RON 8.53
-2.66%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.90 ₾4.94
$1.72 RON 7.79
10.47%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.57 ₾6.68
$1.42 RON 6.43
80.99%
Potato (1kg)
$0.84 ₾2.19
$0.83 RON 3.77
1.20%
Onion (1kg)
$0.65 ₾1.70
$0.92 RON 4.18
-29.35%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.36 ₾3.54
$1.24 RON 5.60
9.68%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80 ₾2.07
$0.86 RON 3.87
-6.98%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.40 ₾8.85
$6.25 RON 28.28
-45.60%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.67 ₾19.94
$6.25 RON 28.33
22.72%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.68 ₾4.36
$1.29 RON 5.83
30.23%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38 ₾6.18
$1.86 RON 8.40
27.96%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Arad
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.39 ₾1.02
$0.97 RON 4.38
-59.79%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$15.55 ₾40.44
$31.53 RON 143
-50.68%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.14 ₾2.96
$0.84 RON 3.82
35.71%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.74 ₾1.93
$1.08 RON 4.90
-31.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.32 ₾29.42
$11.17 RON 50.6
1.34%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.38 ₾3.60
$1.93 RON 8.74
-28.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K ₾63.9K
$28.5K RON 129.3K
-13.91%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0K ₾57.2K
$26.0K RON 117.9K
-15.51%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Arad
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$88.7 ₾231
$130 RON 590
-31.87%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.18 ₾34.26
$8.49 RON 38.44
55.24%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.68 ₾51.2
$7.55 RON 34.21
160.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Arad
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$68.3 ₾177
$35.74 RON 162
90.96%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.94 ₾46.65
$32.94 RON 149
-45.54%
Cinema Ticket
$6.42 ₾16.70
$5.54 RON 25.09
15.88%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Arad
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$372 ₾967
$165 RON 748
125.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.8K ₾28.1K
$4,069 RON 18.4K
165.76%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Arad
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105 ₾272
$43.61 RON 198
139.62%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.83 ₾101
$22.34 RON 101
73.81%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$115 ₾299
$73.3 RON 332
56.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122 ₾318
$77.0 RON 349
58.78%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Arad
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$681 ₾1,770
$343 RON 1,555
98.22%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$456 ₾1,185
$236 RON 1,070
92.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,312 ₾3,410
$549 RON 2,486
138.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$892 ₾2,321
$432 RON 1,958
106.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,391 ₾6,216
$1,519 RON 6,879
57.39%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,425 ₾3,704
$1,104 RON 4,998
29.08%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Arad
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$640 ₾1,663
$978 RON 4,429
-34.59%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12.62
7.35
71.70%

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

Last update for Tbilisi: September 5, 2026

Last update for Arad: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $681 in Tbilisi versus $343 in Arad. 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 53% higher in Arad, 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 $38.00 in Tbilisi versus $34.00 in Arad. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $236 vs $200 – making Arad 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
Tbilisi vs Arad: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tbilisi or Arad?
Tbilisi costs about 37% more than Arad, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. 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 Tbilisi and in Arad?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,919 per month in Tbilisi and $1,400 in Arad. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Tbilisi or Arad?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Arad, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Tbilisi and in Arad?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $38.00 in Tbilisi and $34.00 in Arad. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Tbilisi compared to Arad?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,279 in Tbilisi and $933 in Arad. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Tbilisi or in Arad?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Arad, where all-in costs run around $933, than in Tbilisi at $1,279. In Arad it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tbilisi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Tbilisi or Arad?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Arad costs $933 versus $1,279 in Tbilisi. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Tbilisi compared to Arad?
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.
Should I move to Tbilisi or to Arad?
If budget matters most, go with Arad. 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.

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