Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Bacau Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Bacau

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,286 per month in Tbilisi vs $988 in Bacau, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,044 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,668 in Bacau, rent included.

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

Tbilisi costs about 30% more than Bacau, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Tbilisi and Bacau are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi 6% lower, Bacau 28% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Bacau
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.72 ₾30.49
$12.21 RON 55.1
-4.01%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.88 ₾98.6
$88.8 RON 401
-57.32%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.74 ₾25.35
$8.61 RON 38.89
13.12%
Cappuccino
$3.41 ₾8.88
$2.04 RON 9.22
67.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.06 ₾2.76
$2.05 RON 9.24
-48.29%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65 ₾1.68
$1.92 RON 8.67
-66.15%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.70 ₾7.04
$2.69 RON 12.15
0.37%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10 ₾8.06
$3.35 RON 15.13
-7.46%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Bacau
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.20 ₾5.72
$1.66 RON 7.48
32.53%
White Bread (500g)
$0.81 ₾2.10
$1.24 RON 5.60
-34.68%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.64 ₾4.26
$1.62 RON 7.32
1.23%
Eggs
$2.75 ₾7.17
$3.28 RON 14.79
-16.16%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.01 ₾23.45
$8.30 RON 37.49
8.55%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.55 ₾17.05
$5.70 RON 25.73
14.91%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.62 ₾32.84
$9.72 RON 43.87
29.84%
Apples (1kg)
$1.67 ₾4.35
$1.20 RON 5.42
39.17%
Banana (1kg)
$1.81 ₾4.72
$1.51 RON 6.83
19.87%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.93 ₾5.02
$1.51 RON 6.82
27.81%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.59 ₾6.74
$2.11 RON 9.53
22.75%
Potato (1kg)
$0.87 ₾2.25
$0.70 RON 3.18
24.29%
Onion (1kg)
$0.65 ₾1.68
$0.69 RON 3.11
-5.80%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.39 ₾3.62
$0.72 RON 3.23
93.06%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80 ₾2.07
$0.79 RON 3.59
1.27%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.36 ₾8.76
$5.51 RON 24.86
-39.02%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.54 ₾19.62
$6.44 RON 29.07
17.08%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.61 ₾4.20
$1.03 RON 4.66
56.31%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25 ₾5.85
$1.48 RON 6.67
52.03%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Bacau
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.37 ₾0.96
$0.78 RON 3.54
-52.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$15.11 ₾39.33
$31.36 RON 142
-51.82%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.17 ₾3.05
$0.64 RON 2.89
82.81%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.80 ₾2.08
$0.67 RON 3.04
19.40%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.33 ₾29.49
$6.48 RON 29.24
74.85%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.33 ₾3.46
$1.90 RON 8.58
-30.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.0K ₾65.0K
$29.8K RON 134.5K
-16.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.4K ₾58.3K
$26.0K RON 117.5K
-13.99%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Bacau
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$89.1 ₾232
$111 RON 503
-20.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.25 ₾34.48
$11.43 RON 51.6
15.92%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.46 ₾50.7
$5.10 RON 23.03
281.57%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Bacau
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$68.4 ₾178
$27.34 RON 123
150.26%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.68 ₾48.63
$16.90 RON 76.3
10.53%
Cinema Ticket
$6.63 ₾17.27
$8.87 RON 40.03
-25.25%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Bacau
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$363 ₾946
$422 RON 1,906
-13.89%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.7K ₾27.7K
$6,096 RON 27.5K
74.88%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Bacau
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104 ₾269
$75.4 RON 341
37.23%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.84 ₾101
$45.12 RON 204
-13.92%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$117 ₾303
$96.6 RON 436
20.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123 ₾320
$99.8 RON 451
22.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Bacau
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$682 ₾1,776
$418 RON 1,887
63.24%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$447 ₾1,162
$253 RON 1,141
76.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,284 ₾3,342
$575 RON 2,594
123.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$920 ₾2,394
$418 RON 1,885
120.32%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,487 ₾6,473
$1,907 RON 8,610
30.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,423 ₾3,703
$1,253 RON 5,658
13.55%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Bacau
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$646 ₾1,681
$1,010 RON 4,560
-36.05%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12.73
6.97
82.64%

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

Last update for Tbilisi: August 31, 2026

Last update for Bacau: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $682 in Tbilisi versus $418 in Bacau. 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 56% higher in Bacau, 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 $89.0 in Bacau. Groceries tell a different story – $232 in Tbilisi vs $200 in Bacau – so Bacau wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Bacau: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bacau cheaper than Tbilisi?
Yes – Tbilisi is pricier by about 30%, and the gap shows up most in Sport & Entertainment. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,929 per month in Tbilisi and $1,482 in Bacau. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Bacau, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Is eating out cheaper in Tbilisi or in Bacau?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $38.00 in Tbilisi and $89.0 in Bacau. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Tbilisi and in Bacau?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,286 in Tbilisi and $988 in Bacau. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Tbilisi or in Bacau?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Bacau, where all-in costs run around $988, than in Tbilisi at $1,286. In Bacau it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tbilisi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Tbilisi or Bacau more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Bacau – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Tbilisi or Bacau?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Bacau. 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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