🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,197 in Tbilisi versus $3,038 in Cary, NC.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,868 in Tbilisi versus $4,477 in Cary, NC.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,538 in Tbilisi versus $5,916 in Cary, NC.
🌍Living in Tbilisi costs roughly 61% less than in Cary, NC, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Tbilisi is 10% below, Cary, NC is 127% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Cary, NC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.82₾28.38
$18.06$18.06
-40.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.85₾115
$98.5$98.5
-55.50%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.31₾21.79
$10.56$10.56
-21.31%
Cappuccino
$2.97₾7.78
$5.22$5.22
-43.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77₾2.01
$2.08$2.08
-62.98%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46₾1.20
$1.86$1.86
-75.27%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.14₾5.63
$4.90$4.90
-56.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87₾7.52
$6.74$6.74
-57.42%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Cary, NC
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.90₾4.99
$1.16$1.16
63.79%
White Bread(500g)
$0.71₾1.86
$5.61$5.61
-87.34%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.91₾5.00
$6.03$6.03
-68.33%
Eggs
$2.48₾6.52
$4.53$4.53
-45.25%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.74₾20.29
$20.88$20.88
-62.93%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.18₾16.20
$12.52$12.52
-50.64%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.57₾25.11
$17.94$17.94
-46.66%
Apples(1kg)
$1.17₾3.06
$5.83$5.83
-79.93%
Banana(1kg)
$1.65₾4.34
$1.76$1.76
-6.25%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.85₾4.84
$4.27$4.27
-56.67%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.33₾6.11
$6.78$6.78
-65.63%
Potato(1kg)
$0.71₾1.85
$2.55$2.55
-72.16%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67₾1.76
$3.43$3.43
-80.47%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.19₾3.12
$2.92$2.92
-59.25%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66₾1.72
$1.97$1.97
-66.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.92₾7.65
$9.36$9.36
-68.80%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.69₾20.17
$9.93$9.93
-22.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.59₾4.18
$2.29$2.29
-30.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31₾6.06
$4.95$4.95
-53.33%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Cary, NC
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.38₾1.01
$1.90$1.90
-80.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.76₾38.71
$59.4$59.4
-75.17%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.50₾3.92
$3.57$3.57
-57.98%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.68₾1.77
$1.65$1.65
-58.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.26₾19.03
$29.23$29.23
-75.16%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.09₾2.87
$0.79$0.79
37.97%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.6K₾48.8K
$29.8K$29.8K
-37.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.5K₾53.7K
$28.6K$28.6K
-28.42%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Cary, NC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.0₾191
$171$171
-57.20%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.97₾31.40
$49.09$49.09
-75.62%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.00₾47.21
$62.6$62.6
-71.24%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Cary, NC
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.0₾160
$75.6$75.6
-19.33%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.52₾43.33
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.70₾17.58
$13.72$13.72
-51.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Cary, NC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$269₾705
$1,484$1,484
-81.89%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,152₾13.5K
$23.4K$23.4K
-77.94%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Cary, NC
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$76.5₾201
$48.87$48.87
56.58%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.41₾114
$32.38$32.38
34.06%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$120₾316
$127$127
-5.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111₾290
$137$137
-19.24%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Cary, NC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$687₾1,802
$1,770$1,770
-61.18%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$470₾1,234
$1,587$1,587
-70.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,353₾3,549
$2,657$2,657
-49.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$789₾2,069
$2,748$2,748
-71.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,468₾6,472
$2,810$2,810
-12.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,456₾3,817
$2,678$2,678
-45.64%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Cary, NC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$659₾1,729
$5,861$5,861
-88.75%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
6.31
88.43%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: July 13, 2026
Last update for Cary, NC: July 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $687 in Tbilisi and $1,770 in Cary, NC. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Cary, NC pays 789% 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: $44.00 in Tbilisi vs $99.0 in Cary, NC for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $205 vs $471 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 Cary, NC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cary, NC cheaper than Tbilisi?
Tbilisi is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 154% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Tbilisi or Cary, NC?
On paper, salaries run 789% lower in Cary, NC. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Tbilisi and Cary, NC?
Rent for a central apartment: $687 in Tbilisi versus $1,770 in Cary, NC. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $269 in Tbilisi versus $1,484 in Cary, NC. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do food prices compare in Tbilisi and in Cary, NC?
Supermarket bills run roughly 129% higher in Cary, NC. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Tbilisi or in Cary, NC?
At $1,197 in Tbilisi versus $3,038 in Cary, NC, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tbilisi but tight or insufficient in Cary, NC. The gap between the two cities makes Tbilisi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Tbilisi or Cary, NC more family-friendly?
For families, Tbilisi is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Cary, NC, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Tbilisi or Cary, NC?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Cary, NC 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 Tbilisi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 154% less than in Cary, NC. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.