Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Arlington, VA Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Arlington, VA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,286 per month in Tbilisi vs $3,527 in Arlington, VA, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,044 per month in Tbilisi vs $5,438 in Arlington, VA, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,802 per month in Tbilisi vs $7,348 in Arlington, VA, rent included.

Tbilisi is about 64% cheaper than Arlington, VA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Tbilisi sits 6% below the global median, while Arlington, VA is 157% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Arlington, VA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.72 ₾30.58
$23.93 $23.93
-51.02%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.88 ₾98.9
$100.0 $100.0
-62.10%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.74 ₾25.43
$11.04 $11.04
-11.78%
Cappuccino
$3.41 ₾8.91
$5.89 $5.89
-42.11%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.06 ₾2.77
$3.01 $3.01
-64.78%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65 ₾1.69
$2.52 $2.52
-74.21%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.70 ₾7.06
$7.89 $7.89
-65.78%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10 ₾8.09
$8.79 $8.79
-64.73%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Arlington, VA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.20 ₾5.74
$1.21 $1.21
81.82%
White Bread (500g)
$0.81 ₾2.10
$4.55 $4.55
-82.20%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.64 ₾4.27
$5.29 $5.29
-69.00%
Eggs
$2.75 ₾7.19
$5.28 $5.28
-47.92%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.01 ₾23.52
$21.35 $21.35
-57.80%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.55 ₾17.10
$15.57 $15.57
-57.93%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.62 ₾32.94
$23.09 $23.09
-45.34%
Apples (1kg)
$1.67 ₾4.36
$5.55 $5.55
-69.91%
Banana (1kg)
$1.81 ₾4.73
$1.87 $1.87
-3.21%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.93 ₾5.04
$4.56 $4.56
-57.68%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.59 ₾6.76
$5.88 $5.88
-55.95%
Potato (1kg)
$0.87 ₾2.26
$3.20 $3.20
-72.81%
Onion (1kg)
$0.65 ₾1.69
$3.73 $3.73
-82.57%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.39 ₾3.63
$2.28 $2.28
-39.04%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80 ₾2.08
$2.45 $2.45
-67.35%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.36 ₾8.78
$10.65 $10.65
-68.45%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.54 ₾19.68
$17.06 $17.06
-55.80%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.61 ₾4.21
$2.78 $2.78
-42.09%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25 ₾5.86
$2.94 $2.94
-23.47%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Arlington, VA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.37 ₾0.96
$2.79 $2.79
-86.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$15.11 ₾39.45
$122 $122
-87.63%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.17 ₾3.06
$4.08 $4.08
-71.32%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.80 ₾2.09
$1.23 $1.23
-34.96%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.33 ₾29.58
$24.72 $24.72
-54.17%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.33 ₾3.47
$0.94 $0.94
41.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.0K ₾65.2K
$34.6K $34.6K
-27.87%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.4K ₾58.4K
$24.7K $24.7K
-9.28%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Arlington, VA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$89.1 ₾233
$161 $161
-44.65%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.25 ₾34.58
$52.4 $52.4
-74.69%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.46 ₾50.8
$61.8 $61.8
-68.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Arlington, VA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$68.4 ₾179
$71.1 $71.1
-3.76%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.68 ₾48.77
$19.11 $19.11
-2.25%
Cinema Ticket
$6.63 ₾17.32
$16.49 $16.49
-59.79%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Arlington, VA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$363 ₾949
$1,613 $1,613
-77.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.7K ₾27.8K
$36.7K $36.7K
-70.96%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Arlington, VA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104 ₾270
$56.0 $56.0
84.97%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.84 ₾101
$62.6 $62.6
-37.99%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$117 ₾304
$104 $104
12.57%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123 ₾320
$160 $160
-23.32%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Arlington, VA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$682 ₾1,782
$2,456 $2,456
-72.21%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$447 ₾1,166
$1,997 $1,997
-77.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,284 ₾3,353
$4,777 $4,777
-73.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$920 ₾2,401
$3,604 $3,604
-74.48%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,487 ₾6,492
$6,153 $6,153
-59.58%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,423 ₾3,715
$4,908 $4,908
-71.01%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Arlington, VA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$646 ₾1,686
$6,734 $6,734
-90.41%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12.73
6.27
103.03%

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

Last update for Tbilisi: August 31, 2026

Last update for Arlington, VA: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $682 in Tbilisi versus $2,456 in Arlington, VA. 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 943% higher in Arlington, VA, 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 $38.00 in Tbilisi versus $100 in Arlington, VA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $232 vs $507 – making Tbilisi 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 Arlington, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tbilisi or Arlington, VA?
Arlington, VA costs about 174% more than Tbilisi, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Arlington, VA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,929 per month in Tbilisi and $5,291 in Arlington, VA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Tbilisi or Arlington, VA?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Tbilisi, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Tbilisi or in Arlington, VA?
Groceries cost about 119% more in Arlington, VA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
How do dining costs compare in Tbilisi and in Arlington, VA?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $38.00 in Tbilisi and $100 in Arlington, VA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Tbilisi or in Arlington, VA?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Tbilisi, where all-in costs run around $1,286, than in Arlington, VA at $3,527. In Tbilisi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Arlington, VA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Tbilisi or Arlington, VA?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Tbilisi costs $1,286 versus $3,527 in Arlington, VA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Tbilisi compared to Arlington, VA?
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 Arlington, VA?
If budget matters most, go with Tbilisi. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Arlington, VA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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