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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,178 per month in Tbilisi vs $863 in Arad, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,848 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,375 in Arad, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,518 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,887 in Arad, rent included.

Tbilisi costs about 36% more than Arad, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Tbilisi and Arad are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi 12% lower, Arad 35% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Arad
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.09 ₾29.33
$9.47 RON 43.25
17.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.24 ₾114
$34.33 RON 157
25.95%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.55 ₾22.62
$7.03 RON 32.10
21.62%
Cappuccino
$2.97 ₾7.86
$2.28 RON 10.41
30.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76 ₾2.01
$1.58 RON 7.23
-51.90%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46 ₾1.22
$1.68 RON 7.67
-72.62%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.22 ₾5.87
$2.03 RON 9.28
9.36%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92 ₾7.72
$2.78 RON 12.71
5.04%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Arad
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.97 ₾5.21
$1.45 RON 6.64
35.86%
White Bread (500g)
$0.73 ₾1.94
$1.28 RON 5.83
-42.97%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.82 ₾4.81
$1.54 RON 7.05
18.18%
Eggs
$2.49 ₾6.60
$2.90 RON 13.26
-14.14%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.66 ₾20.26
$7.86 RON 35.93
-2.54%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.27 ₾16.58
$4.31 RON 19.71
45.48%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.50 ₾25.12
$8.75 RON 39.96
8.57%
Apples (1kg)
$1.23 ₾3.24
$1.17 RON 5.34
5.13%
Banana (1kg)
$1.64 ₾4.32
$1.52 RON 6.93
7.89%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.87 ₾4.95
$1.66 RON 7.60
12.65%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.27 ₾6.01
$1.65 RON 7.52
37.58%
Potato (1kg)
$0.67 ₾1.77
$0.76 RON 3.47
-11.84%
Onion (1kg)
$0.67 ₾1.78
$0.91 RON 4.17
-26.37%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.22 ₾3.23
$1.07 RON 4.88
14.02%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70 ₾1.85
$0.93 RON 4.24
-24.73%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.92 ₾7.72
$5.85 RON 26.71
-50.09%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.72 ₾20.40
$6.25 RON 28.57
23.52%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.55 ₾4.09
$1.03 RON 4.70
50.49%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22 ₾5.86
$1.58 RON 7.20
40.51%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Arad
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.39 ₾1.02
$0.90 RON 4.13
-56.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$14.67 ₾38.78
$24.01 RON 110
-38.90%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.44 ₾3.82
$0.89 RON 4.08
61.80%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.69 ₾1.81
$0.85 RON 3.89
-18.82%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.37 ₾19.50
$9.44 RON 43.11
-21.93%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.14 ₾3.03
$1.62 RON 7.39
-29.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.2K ₾48.0K
$27.9K RON 127.5K
-34.94%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.4K ₾54.1K
$25.8K RON 118.1K
-20.91%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Arad
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$73.6 ₾195
$111 RON 506
-33.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.64 ₾30.78
$8.57 RON 39.14
35.82%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.63 ₾46.62
$7.80 RON 35.63
126.03%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Arad
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$61.4 ₾162
$39.13 RON 179
56.81%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.85 ₾44.55
$22.85 RON 104
-26.26%
Cinema Ticket
$6.69 ₾17.69
$5.79 RON 26.47
15.54%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Arad
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$264 ₾698
$233 RON 1,062
13.57%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,169 ₾13.7K
$7,029 RON 32.1K
-26.47%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Arad
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.1 ₾199
$40.91 RON 187
83.60%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.26 ₾114
$38.20 RON 175
13.25%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$118 ₾311
$79.8 RON 364
47.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111 ₾295
$70.4 RON 322
58.31%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Arad
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$706 ₾1,866
$323 RON 1,477
118.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$461 ₾1,220
$223 RON 1,019
106.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,318 ₾3,486
$574 RON 2,625
129.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$781 ₾2,064
$426 RON 1,946
83.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,463 ₾6,512
$1,524 RON 6,961
61.64%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,409 ₾3,725
$1,107 RON 5,059
27.20%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Arad
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$672 ₾1,778
$861 RON 3,932
-21.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.89
6.5
82.92%

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

Last update for Tbilisi: June 14, 2026

Last update for Arad: June 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $706 in Tbilisi versus $323 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 28% 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 $43.00 in Tbilisi versus $34.00 in Arad. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $206 vs $187 – 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 36% 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 $1,767 per month in Tbilisi and $1,295 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 $43.00 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 $1,178 in Tbilisi and $863 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 $863, than in Tbilisi at $1,178. 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 $863 versus $1,178 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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