😐A single person spends $1,209 per month in Tbilisi vs $484 in Chennai (Madras), rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,867 per month in Tbilisi vs $754 in Chennai (Madras), rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,526 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,024 in Chennai (Madras), rent included.
😐Tbilisi costs about 150% more than Chennai (Madras), driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Tbilisi and Chennai (Madras) are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi10% lower, Chennai (Madras)64% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Chennai (Madras)
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.80₾28.70
$2.23₹213
384.30%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.18₾115
$11.73₹1,123
268.12%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.29₾22.03
$3.96₹379
109.34%
Cappuccino
$3.00₾7.96
$2.11₹202
42.18%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.82₾2.17
$0.49₹47.10
67.35%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46₾1.21
$0.19₹18.36
142.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.23₾5.93
$2.08₹199
7.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92₾7.75
$4.18₹400
-30.14%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Chennai (Madras)
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.93₾5.11
$0.63₹60.1
206.35%
White Bread(500g)
$0.68₾1.81
$0.50₹47.37
36.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.88₾4.99
$0.77₹73.4
144.16%
Eggs
$2.54₾6.73
$0.87₹83.5
191.95%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.42₾19.70
$6.99₹669
6.15%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.19₾16.43
$3.45₹330
79.42%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.36₾24.86
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.22₾3.25
$2.94₹281
-58.50%
Banana(1kg)
$1.66₾4.40
$0.82₹78.1
102.44%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.80₾4.78
$1.34₹128
34.33%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.24₾5.96
$0.45₹42.92
397.78%
Potato(1kg)
$0.71₾1.89
$0.55₹52.3
29.09%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67₾1.79
$0.54₹51.5
24.07%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18₾3.13
$0.55₹52.3
114.55%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66₾1.76
$0.33₹31.42
100.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.98₾7.91
$4.00₹383
-25.50%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.61₾20.21
$7.68₹735
-0.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54₾4.08
$1.91₹183
-19.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25₾5.98
$3.49₹334
-35.53%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$6.12₹585
-
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Chennai (Madras)
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.95
$0.34₹32.26
5.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.44₾38.36
$11.49₹1,100
25.67%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.49₾3.96
$1.53₹147
-2.61%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.68₾1.82
$0.30₹28.77
126.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.23₾19.19
$1.76₹169
310.80%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14₾3.04
$1.16₹111
-1.72%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.5K₾49.0K
$17.2K₹1.6M
7.22%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.0K₾53.0K
$24.5K₹2.3M
-18.45%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Chennai (Madras)
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.7₾196
$47.37₹4,533
55.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.64₾30.91
$4.73₹453
146.09%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.84₾47.39
$9.77₹935
82.60%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Chennai (Madras)
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.1₾160
$17.53₹1,677
243.01%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.80₾44.63
$7.26₹694
131.40%
Cinema Ticket
$6.60₾17.54
$2.84₹272
132.39%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Chennai (Madras)
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$266₾708
$80.3₹7,686
231.75%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,191₾13.8K
$1,756₹168.0K
195.65%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Chennai (Madras)
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.7₾206
$25.19₹2,410
208.46%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.75₾119
$23.56₹2,254
89.94%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$117₾310
$49.44₹4,731
136.23%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113₾300
$35.35₹3,382
219.41%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Chennai (Madras)
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$693₾1,839
$190₹18.2K
263.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$462₾1,226
$117₹11.2K
295.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,320₾3,505
$435₹41.6K
203.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$774₾2,056
$263₹25.2K
194.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,430₾6,455
$1,736₹166.1K
40.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,446₾3,840
$724₹69.3K
99.71%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Chennai (Madras)
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$673₾1,787
$718₹68.7K
-6.28%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
9.42
26.22%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: May 31, 2026
Last update for Chennai (Madras): June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $693 in Tbilisi versus $190 in Chennai (Madras). Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 7% higher in Chennai (Madras), which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $43.00 in Tbilisi versus $12.00 in Chennai (Madras). Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $203 vs $124 – making Chennai (Madras) the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Chennai (Madras): Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tbilisi or Chennai (Madras)?
Tbilisi costs about 150% more than Chennai (Madras), with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Tbilisi vs Chennai (Madras)?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,813 per month in Tbilisi and $726 in Chennai (Madras). That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Tbilisi or Chennai (Madras)?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chennai (Madras), especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Tbilisi compared to Chennai (Madras)?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,209 in Tbilisi and $484 in Chennai (Madras). The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How expensive is transport in Tbilisi vs Chennai (Madras)?
Public transport costs about 26% less in Chennai (Madras). For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Tbilisi or Chennai (Madras)?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chennai (Madras), where all-in costs run around $484, than in Tbilisi at $1,209. In Chennai (Madras) it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tbilisi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Tbilisi or Chennai (Madras)?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chennai (Madras) costs $484 versus $1,209 in Tbilisi. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Tbilisi compared to Chennai (Madras)?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Tbilisi or Chennai (Madras)?
If budget matters most, go with Chennai (Madras). If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Tbilisi makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.