😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,218 in Tbilisi versus $690 in Barbacena.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,853 in Tbilisi versus $1,077 in Barbacena.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,489 in Tbilisi versus $1,464 in Barbacena.
😐Living in Tbilisi is roughly 77% more expensive than Barbacena, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi9% lower, Barbacena49% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Barbacena
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.85₾28.75
$3.64R$18.41
198.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.17₾117
$15.94R$80.7
177.10%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.28₾21.94
$4.40R$22.26
88.18%
Cappuccino
$3.02₾8.00
$0.87R$4.41
247.13%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76₾2.02
$1.33R$6.71
-42.86%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46₾1.22
$0.74R$3.76
-37.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.24₾5.93
$0.92R$4.66
143.48%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00₾7.95
$1.61R$8.15
86.34%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Barbacena
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.93₾5.11
$1.02R$5.17
89.22%
White Bread(500g)
$0.72₾1.91
$1.50R$7.61
-52.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.84₾4.87
$1.25R$6.31
47.20%
Eggs
$2.45₾6.48
$1.87R$9.48
31.02%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.43₾19.67
$6.25R$31.66
18.88%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.48₾17.16
$3.31R$16.75
95.77%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.70₾25.70
$7.37R$37.33
31.61%
Apples(1kg)
$1.20₾3.18
$1.06R$5.38
13.21%
Banana(1kg)
$1.56₾4.14
$1.49R$7.54
4.70%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.79₾4.75
$1.47R$7.43
21.77%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.23₾5.90
$1.06R$5.36
110.38%
Potato(1kg)
$0.65₾1.73
$0.75R$3.78
-13.33%
Onion(1kg)
$0.68₾1.79
$1.03R$5.22
-33.98%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.19₾3.16
$0.51R$2.60
133.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70₾1.86
$0.56R$2.83
25.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.95₾7.82
$1.59R$8.05
85.53%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.33₾19.41
$5.69R$28.82
28.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.52₾4.02
$0.67R$3.39
126.87%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25₾5.95
$2.70R$13.66
-16.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Barbacena
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.95
$0.88R$4.45
-59.09%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.60₾38.68
$37.95R$192
-61.53%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.50₾3.97
$1.07R$5.40
40.19%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.73₾1.92
$0.67R$3.39
8.96%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.45₾19.74
$7.39R$37.43
0.81%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14₾3.01
$0.98R$4.99
16.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.5K₾49.0K
$13.4KR$67.7K
38.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.3K₾53.6K
$10.8KR$54.8K
87.15%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Barbacena
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.9₾196
$75.6R$383
-2.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.71₾31.01
$20.05R$102
-41.60%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.16₾48.09
$12.59R$63.7
44.24%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Barbacena
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.7₾163
$22.77R$115
171.01%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.66₾44.12
$21.36R$108
-22.00%
Cinema Ticket
$6.61₾17.50
$6.20R$31.40
6.61%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Barbacena
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$264₾700
$448R$2,270
-41.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,145₾13.6K
$6,397R$32.4K
-19.58%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Barbacena
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$74.9₾198
$63.6R$322
17.63%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.98₾117
$36.07R$183
21.93%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾312
$98.7R$500
19.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114₾301
$80.1R$405
42.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Barbacena
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$692₾1,833
$206R$1,044
235.45%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$454₾1,203
$152R$768
199.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,323₾3,504
$384R$1,942
244.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$789₾2,089
$282R$1,427
179.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,431₾6,440
$1,536R$7,777
58.28%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,441₾3,818
$1,224R$6,198
17.74%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Barbacena
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$645₾1,709
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
11.6
2.50%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: June 9, 2026
Last update for Barbacena: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $692 in Tbilisi and $206 in Barbacena. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $44.00 in Tbilisi vs $16.00 in Barbacena for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $204 vs $154 per month, with Barbacena cheaper across the board.
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 Barbacena: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tbilisi and Barbacena?
Tbilisi and Barbacena differ by about 77% in total monthly costs ($1,218 vs $690 including rent). Barbacena is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Tbilisi compared to Barbacena?
You'd need roughly $1,827 in Tbilisi and $1,035 in Barbacena to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Tbilisi and Barbacena?
Rent for a central apartment: $692 in Tbilisi versus $206 in Barbacena. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Tbilisi or Barbacena?
All in, you'll spend $1,218 per month in Tbilisi versus $690 in Barbacena – a 77% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Tbilisi and Barbacena?
A monthly transit pass in Barbacena runs roughly 160% less than in Tbilisi. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $690 in Barbacena versus $1,218 in Tbilisi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Barbacena but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Barbacena the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Barbacena?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Tbilisi or Barbacena safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Barbacena are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Tbilisi or Barbacena?
Expats usually find Barbacena gentler on the wallet – expenses run 77% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.