😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,197 in Tbilisi versus $717 in Changshu.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,868 in Tbilisi versus $1,146 in Changshu.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,538 in Tbilisi versus $1,575 in Changshu.
🌍Living in Tbilisi is roughly 67% more expensive than in Changshu, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi10% lower, Changshu46% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Changshu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.82₾28.38
$2.87¥19.39
277.00%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.85₾115
$21.81¥147
101.05%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.31₾21.79
$4.99¥33.75
66.53%
Cappuccino
$2.97₾7.78
$3.04¥20.56
-2.30%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77₾2.01
$0.46¥3.13
67.39%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46₾1.20
$0.27¥1.82
70.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.14₾5.63
$0.92¥6.25
132.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87₾7.52
$2.04¥13.79
40.69%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Changshu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.90₾4.99
$1.84¥12.45
3.26%
White Bread(500g)
$0.71₾1.86
$1.54¥10.43
-53.90%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.91₾5.00
$0.98¥6.59
94.90%
Eggs
$2.48₾6.52
$1.56¥10.52
58.97%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.74₾20.29
$12.69¥85.7
-39.01%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.18₾16.20
$3.28¥22.15
88.41%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.57₾25.11
$10.36¥70.0
-7.63%
Apples(1kg)
$1.17₾3.06
$1.86¥12.57
-37.10%
Banana(1kg)
$1.65₾4.34
$1.20¥8.10
37.50%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.85₾4.84
$1.48¥9.99
25.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.33₾6.11
$1.10¥7.43
111.82%
Potato(1kg)
$0.71₾1.85
$0.73¥4.94
-2.74%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67₾1.76
$0.89¥6.01
-24.72%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.19₾3.12
$0.56¥3.81
112.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66₾1.72
$0.51¥3.42
29.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.92₾7.65
$3.19¥21.53
-8.46%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.69₾20.17
$10.61¥71.7
-27.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.59₾4.18
$0.75¥5.04
112.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31₾6.06
$1.63¥11.03
41.72%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Changshu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.38₾1.01
$0.29¥1.96
31.03%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.76₾38.71
$16.93¥114
-12.82%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.50₾3.92
$1.42¥9.56
5.63%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.68₾1.77
$0.35¥2.39
94.29%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.26₾19.03
$6.79¥45.86
6.92%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.09₾2.87
$1.12¥7.55
-2.68%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.6K₾48.8K
$19.1K¥129.1K
-2.64%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.5K₾53.7K
$16.9K¥114.4K
20.88%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Changshu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.0₾191
$45.66¥309
59.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.97₾31.40
$9.59¥64.8
24.82%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.00₾47.21
$11.54¥78.0
55.98%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Changshu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.0₾160
$42.29¥286
44.19%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.52₾43.33
$14.13¥95.5
16.91%
Cinema Ticket
$6.70₾17.58
$6.02¥40.65
11.30%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Changshu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$269₾705
$328¥2,217
-18.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,152₾13.5K
$16.8K¥113.7K
-69.37%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Changshu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$76.5₾201
$44.49¥301
71.99%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.41₾114
$29.91¥202
45.14%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$120₾316
$71.9¥486
67.55%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111₾290
$72.2¥488
53.13%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Changshu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$687₾1,802
$282¥1,902
144.09%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$470₾1,234
$194¥1,312
142.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,353₾3,549
$592¥4,003
128.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$789₾2,069
$359¥2,427
119.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,468₾6,472
$2,972¥20.1K
-16.96%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,456₾3,817
$2,059¥13.9K
-29.31%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Changshu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$659₾1,729
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
3.89
205.66%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: July 13, 2026
Last update for Changshu: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $687 in Tbilisi and $282 in Changshu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $44.00 in Tbilisi vs $22.00 in Changshu for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $205 vs $198 per month, with Changshu 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 Changshu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Changshu cheaper than Tbilisi?
Changshu is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 67% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,796 in Tbilisi and $1,076 in Changshu 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.
What is the rent difference between Tbilisi and Changshu?
Rent for a central apartment: $687 in Tbilisi versus $282 in Changshu. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Tbilisi or in Changshu?
Dining out is cheaper in Changshu – a meal for two runs $22.00 versus $44.00 in Tbilisi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Tbilisi and in Changshu?
All in, you'll spend $1,197 per month in Tbilisi versus $717 in Changshu – a 67% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Tbilisi or in Changshu?
At $717 in Changshu versus $1,197 in Tbilisi, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Changshu but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Changshu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Tbilisi or Changshu more family-friendly?
For families, Changshu 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 Changshu?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Changshu 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 Changshu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 67% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.