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 $1,218 per month in Tbilisi vs $377 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,853 per month in Tbilisi vs $564 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,489 per month in Tbilisi vs $751 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

Tbilisi costs about 223% 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

$10.85 ₾28.75

$3.45 ETB 547

214.49%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$44.17 ₾117

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.28 ₾21.94

Cappuccino

$3.02 ₾8.00

$0.99 ETB 156

205.05%

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

$0.76 ₾2.02

$0.39 ETB 61.3

94.87%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.46 ₾1.22

$0.52 ETB 82.8

-11.54%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.24 ₾5.93

$0.71 ETB 113

215.49%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.00 ₾7.95

$2.04 ETB 324

47.06%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.93 ₾5.11

$1.01 ETB 161

91.09%

White Bread (500g)

$0.72 ₾1.91

$0.99 ETB 157

-27.27%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.84 ₾4.87

$0.98 ETB 155

87.76%

Eggs

$2.45 ₾6.48

$1.70 ETB 270

44.12%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.43 ₾19.67

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.48 ₾17.16

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.70 ₾25.70

$10.18 ETB 1,614

-4.72%

Apples (1kg)

$1.20 ₾3.18

$2.91 ETB 461

-58.76%

Banana (1kg)

$1.56 ₾4.14

$1.03 ETB 163

51.46%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.79 ₾4.75

$2.06 ETB 326

-13.11%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.23 ₾5.90

$0.78 ETB 123

185.90%

Potato (1kg)

$0.65 ₾1.73

$0.62 ETB 98.9

4.84%

Onion (1kg)

$0.68 ₾1.79

$1.18 ETB 187

-42.37%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.19 ₾3.16

$1.02 ETB 162

16.67%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.70 ₾1.86

$0.51 ETB 81.2

37.25%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.95 ₾7.82

Wine (Bottle)

$7.33 ₾19.41

$4.04 ETB 640

81.44%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.52 ₾4.02

$0.82 ETB 130

85.37%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.25 ₾5.95

$2.03 ETB 322

10.84%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.36 ₾0.95

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$14.60 ₾38.68

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.50 ₾3.97

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.73 ₾1.92

$0.48 ETB 76.2

52.08%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.45 ₾19.74

$2.06 ETB 326

261.65%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 ₾3.01

$0.97 ETB 154

17.53%

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

$18.5K ₾49.0K

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

$20.3K ₾53.6K

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

$73.9 ₾196

$102 ETB 16.1K

-27.38%

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

$11.71 ₾31.01

$10.04 ETB 1,591

16.63%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.16 ₾48.09

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$61.7 ₾163

$49.82 ETB 7,896

23.87%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.66 ₾44.12

$59.6 ETB 9,446

-72.05%

Cinema Ticket

$6.61 ₾17.50

$5.97 ETB 947

10.72%

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

$264 ₾700

$49.85 ETB 7,901

429.97%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,145 ₾13.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$74.9 ₾198

$49.55 ETB 7,853

51.08%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.98 ₾117

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$118 ₾312

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 ₾301

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$692 ₾1,833

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$454 ₾1,203

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,323 ₾3,504

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$789 ₾2,089

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,431 ₾6,440

$1,989 ETB 315.3K

22.23%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,441 ₾3,818

$1,514 ETB 240.0K

-4.82%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$645 ₾1,709

$201 ETB 31.8K

221.33%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.89

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

Last update for Tbilisi: June 9, 2026

Last update for Bahir Dar: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 221% 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 223% 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 $1,827 per month in Tbilisi and $565 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 $1,218 in Tbilisi and $377 in Bahir Dar. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 64% 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 $377, than in Tbilisi at $1,218. 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 $377 versus $1,218 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.