Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Bahir Dar Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Bahir Dar

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,247 per month in Tbilisi vs $378 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,025 per month in Tbilisi vs $562 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,803 per month in Tbilisi vs $746 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

Tbilisi costs about 230% more than Bahir Dar, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Tbilisi and Bahir Dar are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi 9% lower, Bahir Dar 72% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.33 ₾29.45

$3.59 ETB 577

215.60%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$38.71 ₾101

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.52 ₾24.73

Cappuccino

$3.41 ₾8.85

$0.97 ETB 156

251.55%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.04 ₾2.71

$0.38 ETB 61.5

173.68%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.64 ₾1.66

$0.48 ETB 77.1

33.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.61 ₾6.79

$0.78 ETB 125

234.62%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.24 ₾8.43

$2.05 ETB 329

58.05%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.17 ₾5.65

$1.01 ETB 162

114.85%

White Bread (500g)

$0.74 ₾1.92

$1.02 ETB 164

-27.45%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.71 ₾4.45

$0.99 ETB 159

72.73%

Eggs

$2.83 ₾7.36

$1.71 ETB 274

65.50%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.22 ₾23.95

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.76 ₾17.55

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.77 ₾33.17

$10.16 ETB 1,632

25.69%

Apples (1kg)

$1.64 ₾4.26

$2.94 ETB 472

-44.22%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 ₾4.60

$0.98 ETB 157

80.61%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.87 ₾4.85

$2.03 ETB 326

-7.88%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.44 ₾6.34

$0.84 ETB 135

190.48%

Potato (1kg)

$0.87 ₾2.25

$0.64 ETB 103

35.94%

Onion (1kg)

$0.65 ₾1.70

$1.13 ETB 182

-42.48%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.40 ₾3.64

$0.99 ETB 159

41.41%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.74 ₾1.93

$0.48 ETB 77.6

54.17%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.41 ₾8.86

Wine (Bottle)

$7.60 ₾19.75

$4.06 ETB 653

87.19%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.70 ₾4.41

$0.82 ETB 131

107.32%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.38 ₾6.20

$1.94 ETB 312

22.68%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.36 ₾0.94

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$15.24 ₾39.60

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.18 ₾3.07

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.76 ₾1.97

$0.51 ETB 82.6

49.02%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.34 ₾29.47

$2.04 ETB 328

455.88%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.33 ₾3.46

$0.97 ETB 157

37.11%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$24.7K ₾64.2K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$22.0K ₾57.2K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$88.9 ₾231

$101 ETB 16.3K

-12.22%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$13.33 ₾34.63

$10.13 ETB 1,627

31.59%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.12 ₾52.3

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$68.7 ₾178

$50.3 ETB 8,088

36.41%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.09 ₾47.01

$59.2 ETB 9,512

-69.45%

Cinema Ticket

$6.72 ₾17.46

$5.98 ETB 960

12.37%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$374 ₾971

$49.53 ETB 7,957

654.25%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.7K ₾27.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$101 ₾263

$50.3 ETB 8,077

101.29%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.33 ₾102

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$118 ₾305

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$122 ₾318

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$682 ₾1,773

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$456 ₾1,186

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,303 ₾3,385

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$899 ₾2,337

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,449 ₾6,365

$1,990 ETB 319.7K

23.08%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,452 ₾3,774

$1,507 ETB 242.1K

-3.62%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$652 ₾1,695

$199 ETB 32.0K

227.49%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.62

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

Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026

Last update for Bahir Dar: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 227% higher in Tbilisi, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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 Bahir Dar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Tbilisi costs about 230% more than Bahir Dar, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,870 per month in Tbilisi and $567 in Bahir Dar. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,247 in Tbilisi and $378 in Bahir Dar. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 87% more in Tbilisi, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Bahir Dar, where all-in costs run around $378, than in Tbilisi at $1,247. In Bahir Dar it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tbilisi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Bahir Dar costs $378 versus $1,247 in Tbilisi. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Bahir Dar. 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.