Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Bocas del Toro

For one person, living is cheaper in Tbilisi: $1,269 a month against $1,475 in Bocas del Toro, rent and utilities included – about $2,500 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Bocas del Toro outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Tbilisi, Georgia
Bocas del Toro, Panama
Tbilisi
🇬🇪 Georgia
$1,269
/mo nomad
Bocas del Toro
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,475
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Tbilisi and in Bocas del Toro

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Tbilisi and in Bocas del Toro actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,269 in Tbilisi versus $1,475 in Bocas del Toro.

  • Tbilisi $1,269
  • Bocas del Toro $1,475

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,016 in Tbilisi versus $2,088 in Bocas del Toro.

  • Tbilisi $2,016
  • Bocas del Toro $2,088

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,763 in Tbilisi versus $2,701 in Bocas del Toro.

  • Tbilisi $2,763
  • Bocas del Toro $2,701

Living in Tbilisi costs roughly 14% less than in Bocas del Toro, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

The two cities straddle the global median: Tbilisi is 7% below, Bocas del Toro is 8% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Bocas del Toro
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.63 ₾30.07
$9.24 PAB 9.24
25.87%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.83 ₾97.8
$50.3 PAB 50.3
-24.79%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.66 ₾24.98
$9.89 PAB 9.89
-2.33%
Cappuccino
$3.57 ₾9.24
$4.12 PAB 4.12
-13.35%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.08 ₾2.78
$1.74 PAB 1.74
-37.93%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.56 ₾1.45
$1.58 PAB 1.58
-64.56%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.62 ₾6.78
$1.96 PAB 1.96
33.67%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.04 ₾7.85
$4.03 PAB 4.03
-24.57%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Bocas del Toro
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.17 ₾5.60
$2.03 PAB 2.03
6.90%
White Bread (500g)
$0.80 ₾2.06
$3.84 PAB 3.84
-79.17%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.74 ₾4.51
-
-
Eggs
$2.83 ₾7.31
$2.57 PAB 2.57
10.12%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.31 ₾24.07
$17.18 PAB 17.18
-45.81%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.52 ₾16.85
$8.89 PAB 8.89
-26.66%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.95 ₾33.50
$8.18 PAB 8.18
58.31%
Apples (1kg)
$1.68 ₾4.33
$9.78 PAB 9.78
-82.82%
Banana (1kg)
$1.85 ₾4.79
$1.52 PAB 1.52
21.71%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.97 ₾5.10
-
-
Tomato (1kg)
$2.42 ₾6.25
$4.82 PAB 4.82
-49.79%
Potato (1kg)
$0.82 ₾2.11
$3.22 PAB 3.22
-74.53%
Onion (1kg)
$0.74 ₾1.91
-
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.34 ₾3.47
-
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.77 ₾2.00
$1.59 PAB 1.59
-51.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.57 ₾9.24
-
-
Wine (Bottle)
$7.67 ₾19.83
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70 ₾4.39
$2.80 PAB 2.80
-39.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40 ₾6.21
$2.44 PAB 2.44
-1.64%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Bocas del Toro
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.40 ₾1.05
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$15.23 ₾39.38
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.14 ₾2.95
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.78 ₾2.02
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.83 ₾30.58
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ₾3.75
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K ₾63.6K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.3K ₾57.8K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Bocas del Toro
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$88.8 ₾230
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.12 ₾33.93
$40.57 PAB 40.57
-67.66%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.67 ₾50.9
$35.60 PAB 35.60
-44.75%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Bocas del Toro
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$64.1 ₾166
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04 ₾49.24
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.12 ₾18.42
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Bocas del Toro
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$375 ₾971
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.5K ₾27.1K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Bocas del Toro
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104 ₾268
-
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.26 ₾102
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$117 ₾303
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122 ₾315
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Bocas del Toro
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$695 ₾1,798
$758 PAB 758
-8.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$451 ₾1,167
$896 PAB 896
-49.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,355 ₾3,504
$1,193 PAB 1,193
13.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$906 ₾2,343
$1,214 PAB 1,214
-25.38%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,295 ₾5,934
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,345 ₾3,478
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Bocas del Toro
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$664 ₾1,718
$712 PAB 712
-6.76%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12.62
0
-

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

Last update for Tbilisi: October 27, 2026

Last update for Bocas del Toro: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
$451
Bocas del Toro
–
Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
$234
Bocas del Toro
–
Eating Out
Tbilisi
$191
Bocas del Toro
–
Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
$172
Bocas del Toro
–
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
$122
Bocas del Toro
–
Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
$78
Bocas del Toro
–
Getting Around
Tbilisi
$22
Bocas del Toro
–

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $695 in Tbilisi and $758 in Bocas del Toro. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Bocas del Toro pays 7% 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: $38 in Tbilisi vs $50 in Bocas del Toro for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $234 vs $319 per month, with Tbilisi cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇬🇪 Tbilisi
🇵🇦 Bocas del Toro
🕒 Local time
09:43 9:43 AM
00:43 12:43 AM
9 h behind Tbilisi
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,241,700 Capital
159,228
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

PAB, USD, EUR to GEL – Georgian Lari Converter

Georgian Lari exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 2.59 GEL (1 GEL = 0.387 USD). 1 EUR = 2.89 GEL (1 GEL = 0.346 EUR).

Panamanian Balboa exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 1 PAB (1 PAB = 1 USD). 1 EUR = 1.12 PAB (1 PAB = 0.896 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Tbilisi Bocas del Toro 12,190 km ≈ 16 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Tbilisi
  • Bocas del Toro

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Bocas del Toro: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tbilisi and in Bocas del Toro?
Total monthly costs including rent come to $1,269 in Tbilisi and $1,475 in Bocas del Toro, so Tbilisi is about 14% cheaper – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 7% lower in Tbilisi. That’s worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Tbilisi and in Bocas del Toro?
Rent for a central apartment: $695 in Tbilisi versus $758 in Bocas del Toro. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Tbilisi – a meal for two runs $38 versus $50 in Bocas del Toro. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Tbilisi or Bocas del Toro?
All in, you’ll spend $1,269 per month in Tbilisi versus $1,475 in Bocas del Toro – Tbilisi is about 14% cheaper, which adds up to real savings over time.
How far does $2,000 go in Tbilisi compared to Bocas del Toro?
Either city works on $2,000 a month, though Tbilisi gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Bocas del Toro?
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.
How do I decide between Tbilisi and Bocas del Toro?
It comes down to priorities – Tbilisi wins on affordability, Bocas del Toro on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.

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