๐A single person spends $1,218 per month in Tbilisi vs $872 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $1,854 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,337 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $2,491 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐Tbilisi costs about 40% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Both Tbilisi and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median โ Tbilisi10% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Tbilisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.78โพ29.00
$2.01เธฟ64.5
436.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.10โพ116
$18.23เธฟ584
136.42%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.27โพ22.24
$7.65เธฟ245
8.10%
Cappuccino
$2.95โพ7.94
$1.92เธฟ61.5
53.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76โพ2.05
$0.84เธฟ26.96
-9.52%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42โพ1.13
$0.36เธฟ11.42
16.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.24โพ6.03
$2.19เธฟ70.2
2.28%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87โพ7.71
$3.79เธฟ121
-24.27%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.93โพ5.19
$1.64เธฟ52.5
17.68%
White Bread(500g)
$0.68โพ1.84
$1.62เธฟ51.9
-58.02%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.85โพ4.97
$1.15เธฟ36.96
60.87%
Eggs
$2.49โพ6.69
$1.94เธฟ62.1
28.35%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.54โพ20.27
$15.94เธฟ511
-52.70%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.35โพ17.09
$3.10เธฟ99.4
104.84%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.43โพ25.38
$11.07เธฟ355
-14.81%
Apples(1kg)
$1.18โพ3.16
$2.71เธฟ86.7
-56.46%
Banana(1kg)
$1.58โพ4.26
$1.18เธฟ37.77
33.90%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.86โพ5.00
$1.71เธฟ54.6
8.77%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.24โพ6.03
$1.61เธฟ51.4
39.13%
Potato(1kg)
$0.66โพ1.79
$1.39เธฟ44.63
-52.52%
Onion(1kg)
$0.68โพ1.83
$1.15เธฟ36.78
-40.87%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18โพ3.17
$0.71เธฟ22.81
66.20%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66โพ1.77
$0.55เธฟ17.63
20.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.07โพ8.25
$4.57เธฟ146
-32.82%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.56โพ20.34
$18.87เธฟ605
-59.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.52โพ4.08
$1.82เธฟ58.3
-16.48%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29โพ6.15
$3.21เธฟ103
-28.66%
๐ Getting Around
Tbilisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.35โพ0.95
$0.88เธฟ28.23
-60.23%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.79โพ39.78
$18.89เธฟ605
-21.70%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.45โพ3.90
$1.41เธฟ45.27
2.84%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.73โพ1.97
$1.30เธฟ41.68
-43.85%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.35โพ19.78
$8.20เธฟ263
-10.37%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.09โพ2.93
$1.23เธฟ39.27
-11.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.4Kโพ49.5K
$21.2Kเธฟ678.5K
-13.07%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.3Kโพ54.5K
$22.3Kเธฟ714.9K
-9.14%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.3โพ197
$69.9เธฟ2,239
4.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.72โพ31.53
$14.07เธฟ451
-16.70%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.87โพ48.08
$17.70เธฟ567
0.96%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.2โพ165
$41.41เธฟ1,327
47.81%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.34โพ43.94
$6.69เธฟ214
144.25%
Cinema Ticket
$6.59โพ17.73
$5.74เธฟ184
14.81%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$261โพ702
$299เธฟ9,587
-12.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,156โพ13.9K
$15.0Kเธฟ480.9K
-65.64%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$76.1โพ205
$54.8เธฟ1,756
38.89%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.83โพ118
$26.35เธฟ844
66.34%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$121โพ325
$84.7เธฟ2,712
42.60%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113โพ304
$69.7เธฟ2,234
61.97%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$696โพ1,873
$427เธฟ13.7K
63.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$456โพ1,226
$241เธฟ7,713
89.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,301โพ3,500
$811เธฟ26.0K
60.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$768โพ2,067
$498เธฟ16.0K
54.17%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,500โพ6,725
$2,022เธฟ64.8K
23.61%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,432โพ3,853
$1,524เธฟ48.8K
-6.01%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$653โพ1,756
$639เธฟ20.5K
2.15%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
5
137.80%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: April 13, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $696 in Tbilisi versus $427 in Chiang Mai. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
๐ฐSalaries run about 2% higher in Tbilisi, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $43 in Tbilisi versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story โ $203 in Tbilisi vs $246 in Chiang Mai โ so Tbilisi wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tbilisi or Chiang Mai?
Tbilisi costs about 40% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. 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 Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,827 per month in Tbilisi and $1,308 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Tbilisi or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Tbilisi and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $261 per month in Tbilisi and $299 in Chiang Mai. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Tbilisi or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 21% cheaper in Tbilisi โ one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Tbilisi or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $872, than in Tbilisi at $1,218. In Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $872 versus $1,218 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 Chiang Mai?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison โ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Tbilisi or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. 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.