Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and CaliCost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Cali
Monthly Cost of Living
😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,247 in Tbilisi versus $1,087 in Cali.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,025 in Tbilisi versus $1,694 in Cali.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,803 in Tbilisi versus $2,301 in Cali.
🌍Living in Tbilisi is roughly 15% more expensive than in Cali, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi9% lower, Cali21% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Cali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.33₾29.45
$7.59COP 23.7K
49.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.71₾101
$38.62COP 120.5K
0.23%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.52₾24.73
$8.46COP 26.4K
12.53%
Cappuccino
$3.41₾8.85
$1.65COP 5,153
106.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04₾2.71
$1.27COP 3,971
-18.11%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64₾1.66
$0.85COP 2,638
-24.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.61₾6.79
$3.28COP 10.2K
-20.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24₾8.43
$3.85COP 12.0K
-15.84%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Cali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.17₾5.65
$1.66COP 5,172
30.72%
White Bread(500g)
$0.74₾1.92
$1.95COP 6,077
-62.05%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71₾4.45
$1.52COP 4,744
12.50%
Eggs
$2.83₾7.36
$3.00COP 9,375
-5.67%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.22₾23.95
$6.48COP 20.2K
42.28%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.76₾17.55
$7.22COP 22.5K
-6.37%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.77₾33.17
$10.39COP 32.4K
22.91%
Apples(1kg)
$1.64₾4.26
$3.67COP 11.4K
-55.31%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77₾4.60
$1.37COP 4,284
29.20%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87₾4.85
$1.83COP 5,713
2.19%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.44₾6.34
$1.77COP 5,538
37.85%
Potato(1kg)
$0.87₾2.25
$1.46COP 4,556
-40.41%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65₾1.70
$1.54COP 4,801
-57.79%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40₾3.64
$1.17COP 3,658
19.66%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74₾1.93
$1.05COP 3,267
-29.52%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.41₾8.86
$3.79COP 11.8K
-10.03%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.60₾19.75
$13.24COP 41.3K
-42.60%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70₾4.41
$1.47COP 4,598
15.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38₾6.20
$2.51COP 7,833
-5.18%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Cali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.94
$1.15COP 3,603
-68.70%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.24₾39.60
$30.69COP 95.8K
-50.34%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.18₾3.07
$0.88COP 2,742
34.09%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.76₾1.97
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.34₾29.47
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.33₾3.46
$1.31COP 4,093
1.53%
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
$36.1KCOP 112.7M
-39.03%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Cali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.9₾231
$114COP 357.1K
-22.35%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.33₾34.63
$13.68COP 42.7K
-2.56%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12₾52.3
$31.26COP 97.5K
-35.64%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Cali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.7₾178
$29.82COP 93.1K
130.28%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.09₾47.01
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.72₾17.46
$8.36COP 26.1K
-19.62%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Cali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$374₾971
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7K₾27.8K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Cali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$101₾263
$79.7COP 248.6K
27.04%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.33₾102
$55.1COP 171.9K
-28.62%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾305
$130COP 405.4K
-9.53%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122₾318
$114COP 357.1K
6.86%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Cali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$682₾1,773
$666COP 2.1M
2.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$456₾1,186
$306COP 955.3K
49.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,303₾3,385
$1,627COP 5.1M
-19.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$899₾2,337
$509COP 1.6M
76.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,449₾6,365
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,452₾3,774
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Cali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$652₾1,695
$598COP 1.9M
9.00%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.62
11.58
8.98%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026
Last update for Cali: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $682 in Tbilisi and $666 in Cali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Tbilisi pays 9% 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: $39.00 in Tbilisi vs $39.00 in Cali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $232 vs $247 per month, with Tbilisi 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 Cali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cali cheaper than Tbilisi?
Cali is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment. The 15% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Tbilisi or Cali?
Average pay runs 9% higher in Tbilisi, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Tbilisi and Cali?
Rent for a central apartment: $682 in Tbilisi versus $666 in Cali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Tbilisi or in Cali?
Dining out is cheaper in Cali – a meal for two runs $39.00 versus $39.00 in Tbilisi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Cali runs roughly 101% less than in Tbilisi. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Tbilisi or in Cali?
At $1,087 in Cali versus $1,247 in Tbilisi, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Cali but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Cali the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Tbilisi or Cali more family-friendly?
For families, Cali is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Tbilisi, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Tbilisi or Cali?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Cali are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Cali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 15% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.