Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Ba Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Ba

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,279 in Tbilisi versus $92.1 in Ba.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,011 in Tbilisi versus $205 in Ba.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,743 in Tbilisi versus $318 in Ba.

Living in Tbilisi is roughly 1289% more expensive than in Ba, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi 7% lower, Ba 93% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Ba
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.43 ₾29.72
$2.06 FJD 4.51
454.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.16 ₾99.2
$29.43 FJD 64.5
29.66%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.40 ₾24.45
$6.13 FJD 13.43
53.34%
Cappuccino
$3.38 ₾8.78
$2.03 FJD 4.45
66.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04 ₾2.70
$1.03 FJD 2.25
0.97%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60 ₾1.56
$0.99 FJD 2.16
-39.39%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.71 ₾7.05
$3.91 FJD 8.57
-30.69%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.04 ₾7.90
$3.52 FJD 7.72
-13.64%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Ba
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.27 ₾5.90
-
-
White Bread (500g)
$0.79 ₾2.04
-
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.62 ₾4.21
-
-
Eggs
$2.74 ₾7.13
-
-
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.30 ₾24.19
-
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.79 ₾17.65
-
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.01 ₾33.84
-
-
Apples (1kg)
$1.64 ₾4.27
-
-
Banana (1kg)
$1.83 ₾4.77
-
-
Oranges (1kg)
$1.90 ₾4.94
-
-
Tomato (1kg)
$2.57 ₾6.68
-
-
Potato (1kg)
$0.84 ₾2.19
-
-
Onion (1kg)
$0.65 ₾1.70
-
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.36 ₾3.54
-
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80 ₾2.07
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.40 ₾8.85
-
-
Wine (Bottle)
$7.67 ₾19.94
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.68 ₾4.36
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38 ₾6.18
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Ba
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.39 ₾1.02
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$15.55 ₾40.44
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.14 ₾2.96
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.74 ₾1.93
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.32 ₾29.42
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.38 ₾3.60
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K ₾63.9K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0K ₾57.2K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Ba
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$88.7 ₾231
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.18 ₾34.26
-
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.68 ₾51.2
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Ba
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$68.3 ₾177
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.94 ₾46.65
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.42 ₾16.70
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Ba
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$372 ₾967
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.8K ₾28.1K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Ba
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105 ₾272
-
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.83 ₾101
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$115 ₾299
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122 ₾318
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Ba
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$681 ₾1,770
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$456 ₾1,185
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,312 ₾3,410
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$892 ₾2,321
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,391 ₾6,216
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,425 ₾3,704
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Ba
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$640 ₾1,663
$384 FJD 841
66.57%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12.62
4
215.50%

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

Last update for Tbilisi: September 5, 2026

Last update for Ba: September 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Tbilisi pays 67% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out at a mid-range restaurant: $38.00 in Tbilisi vs $29.00 in Ba for two.

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 Ba: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tbilisi or Ba?
Ba wins on cost – living expenses run 1289% lower than in Tbilisi. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Ba the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Tbilisi or in Ba?
Average pay runs 67% higher in Tbilisi, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do dining costs compare in Tbilisi and in Ba?
Dining out is cheaper in Ba – a meal for two runs $29.00 versus $38.00 in Tbilisi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How much does it cost to live in Tbilisi compared to Ba?
All in, you'll spend $1,279 per month in Tbilisi versus $92.1 in Ba – a 1289% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Tbilisi or in Ba?
At $92.1 in Ba versus $1,279 in Tbilisi, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ba but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Ba the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Tbilisi or Ba?
Both work as nomad bases, but Ba delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $92.1 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Ba hard to pass up.
How safe is Tbilisi compared to Ba?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Ba are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Ba gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1289% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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