😐A single person spends $1,286 per month in Tbilisi vs $726 in Arequipa, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,044 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,150 in Arequipa, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,802 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,573 in Arequipa, rent included.
😐Tbilisi costs about 77% more than Arequipa, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Tbilisi and Arequipa are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi6% lower, Arequipa47% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Arequipa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.72₾30.55
$3.59PEN 12.04
226.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.88₾98.8
$29.83PEN 100
26.99%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.74₾25.41
$5.85PEN 19.63
66.50%
Cappuccino
$3.41₾8.90
$2.61PEN 8.75
30.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.06₾2.76
$0.83PEN 2.79
27.71%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65₾1.69
$0.36PEN 1.22
80.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.70₾7.05
$2.21PEN 7.40
22.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10₾8.08
$4.34PEN 14.56
-28.57%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Arequipa
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.20₾5.73
$1.37PEN 4.59
60.58%
White Bread(500g)
$0.81₾2.10
$1.45PEN 4.85
-44.14%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.64₾4.26
$1.53PEN 5.13
7.19%
Eggs
$2.75₾7.18
$2.36PEN 7.91
16.53%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.01₾23.50
$6.46PEN 21.66
39.47%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.55₾17.09
$4.47PEN 14.98
46.53%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.62₾32.91
$7.44PEN 24.95
69.62%
Apples(1kg)
$1.67₾4.36
$1.83PEN 6.14
-8.74%
Banana(1kg)
$1.81₾4.73
$1.25PEN 4.20
44.80%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93₾5.03
$1.16PEN 3.91
66.38%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.59₾6.76
$1.02PEN 3.43
153.92%
Potato(1kg)
$0.87₾2.26
$0.67PEN 2.26
29.85%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65₾1.68
$0.72PEN 2.42
-9.72%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.39₾3.63
$0.56PEN 1.89
148.21%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80₾2.08
$0.77PEN 2.57
3.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.36₾8.78
$5.22PEN 17.51
-35.63%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.54₾19.66
$5.29PEN 17.74
42.53%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.61₾4.21
$2.89PEN 9.69
-44.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25₾5.86
$2.40PEN 8.04
-6.25%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Arequipa
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.37₾0.96
$0.29PEN 0.97
27.59%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.11₾39.41
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.17₾3.05
$2.10PEN 7.05
-44.29%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.80₾2.09
$2.05PEN 6.86
-60.98%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.33₾29.55
$12.85PEN 43.08
-11.83%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.33₾3.47
$1.52PEN 5.08
-12.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.0K₾65.2K
$18.6KPEN 62.3K
34.58%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.4K₾58.4K
$26.0KPEN 87.3K
-14.05%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Arequipa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$89.1₾232
$24.42PEN 81.9
264.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.25₾34.55
$10.19PEN 34.16
30.03%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.46₾50.8
$23.41PEN 78.5
-16.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Arequipa
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.4₾178
$25.53PEN 85.6
168.00%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.68₾48.73
$8.36PEN 28.04
123.44%
Cinema Ticket
$6.63₾17.30
$7.50PEN 25.16
-11.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Arequipa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$363₾948
$75.6PEN 253
381.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7K₾27.8K
$6,836PEN 22.9K
55.95%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Arequipa
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104₾270
$49.44PEN 166
109.36%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.84₾101
$26.25PEN 88.0
47.96%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$117₾304
$69.3PEN 232
68.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123₾320
$59.7PEN 200
105.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Arequipa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$682₾1,780
$362PEN 1,214
88.52%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$447₾1,165
$240PEN 804
86.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,284₾3,349
$731PEN 2,452
75.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$920₾2,399
$421PEN 1,412
118.52%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,487₾6,486
$1,995PEN 6,688
24.69%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,423₾3,711
$1,016PEN 3,406
40.10%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Arequipa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$646₾1,684
$656PEN 2,198
-1.48%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.73
15
-15.13%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: August 31, 2026
Last update for Arequipa: August 29, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $682 in Tbilisi versus $362 in Arequipa. 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 1% higher in Arequipa, 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 $30.00 in Arequipa. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $232 vs $179 – making Arequipa 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 Arequipa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tbilisi or Arequipa?
Tbilisi costs about 77% more than Arequipa, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. 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 Arequipa?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,929 per month in Tbilisi and $1,089 in Arequipa. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Tbilisi or Arequipa?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Arequipa, 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 Arequipa?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $38.00 in Tbilisi and $30.00 in Arequipa. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Tbilisi or in Arequipa?
Groceries cost about 30% more in Tbilisi, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Tbilisi or in Arequipa?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Arequipa, where all-in costs run around $726, than in Tbilisi at $1,286. In Arequipa 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 Arequipa?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Arequipa costs $726 versus $1,286 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 Arequipa?
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 Arequipa?
If budget matters most, go with Arequipa. 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.