Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Chiang Mai

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,218 per month in Tbilisi vs $872 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,854 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,337 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,491 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Tbilisi costs about 40% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Tbilisi and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median โ€“ Tbilisi 10% lower, Chiang Mai 35% lower.

Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Tbilisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.78 โ‚พ29.00
$2.01 เธฟ64.5
436.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.10 โ‚พ116
$18.23 เธฟ584
136.42%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.27 โ‚พ22.24
$7.65 เธฟ245
8.10%
Cappuccino
$2.95 โ‚พ7.94
$1.92 เธฟ61.5
53.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76 โ‚พ2.05
$0.84 เธฟ26.96
-9.52%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42 โ‚พ1.13
$0.36 เธฟ11.42
16.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.24 โ‚พ6.03
$2.19 เธฟ70.2
2.28%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87 โ‚พ7.71
$3.79 เธฟ121
-24.27%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.93 โ‚พ5.19
$1.64 เธฟ52.5
17.68%
White Bread (500g)
$0.68 โ‚พ1.84
$1.62 เธฟ51.9
-58.02%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.85 โ‚พ4.97
$1.15 เธฟ36.96
60.87%
Eggs
$2.49 โ‚พ6.69
$1.94 เธฟ62.1
28.35%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.54 โ‚พ20.27
$15.94 เธฟ511
-52.70%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.35 โ‚พ17.09
$3.10 เธฟ99.4
104.84%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.43 โ‚พ25.38
$11.07 เธฟ355
-14.81%
Apples (1kg)
$1.18 โ‚พ3.16
$2.71 เธฟ86.7
-56.46%
Banana (1kg)
$1.58 โ‚พ4.26
$1.18 เธฟ37.77
33.90%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.86 โ‚พ5.00
$1.71 เธฟ54.6
8.77%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.24 โ‚พ6.03
$1.61 เธฟ51.4
39.13%
Potato (1kg)
$0.66 โ‚พ1.79
$1.39 เธฟ44.63
-52.52%
Onion (1kg)
$0.68 โ‚พ1.83
$1.15 เธฟ36.78
-40.87%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.18 โ‚พ3.17
$0.71 เธฟ22.81
66.20%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66 โ‚พ1.77
$0.55 เธฟ17.63
20.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.07 โ‚พ8.25
$4.57 เธฟ146
-32.82%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.56 โ‚พ20.34
$18.87 เธฟ605
-59.94%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.52 โ‚พ4.08
$1.82 เธฟ58.3
-16.48%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29 โ‚พ6.15
$3.21 เธฟ103
-28.66%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Tbilisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.35 โ‚พ0.95
$0.88 เธฟ28.23
-60.23%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$14.79 โ‚พ39.78
$18.89 เธฟ605
-21.70%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.45 โ‚พ3.90
$1.41 เธฟ45.27
2.84%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.73 โ‚พ1.97
$1.30 เธฟ41.68
-43.85%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.35 โ‚พ19.78
$8.20 เธฟ263
-10.37%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.09 โ‚พ2.93
$1.23 เธฟ39.27
-11.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.4K โ‚พ49.5K
$21.2K เธฟ678.5K
-13.07%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.3K โ‚พ54.5K
$22.3K เธฟ714.9K
-9.14%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$73.3 โ‚พ197
$69.9 เธฟ2,239
4.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.72 โ‚พ31.53
$14.07 เธฟ451
-16.70%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.87 โ‚พ48.08
$17.70 เธฟ567
0.96%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$61.2 โ‚พ165
$41.41 เธฟ1,327
47.81%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.34 โ‚พ43.94
$6.69 เธฟ214
144.25%
Cinema Ticket
$6.59 โ‚พ17.73
$5.74 เธฟ184
14.81%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$261 โ‚พ702
$299 เธฟ9,587
-12.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,156 โ‚พ13.9K
$15.0K เธฟ480.9K
-65.64%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$76.1 โ‚พ205
$54.8 เธฟ1,756
38.89%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.83 โ‚พ118
$26.35 เธฟ844
66.34%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$121 โ‚พ325
$84.7 เธฟ2,712
42.60%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 โ‚พ304
$69.7 เธฟ2,234
61.97%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$696 โ‚พ1,873
$427 เธฟ13.7K
63.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$456 โ‚พ1,226
$241 เธฟ7,713
89.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,301 โ‚พ3,500
$811 เธฟ26.0K
60.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$768 โ‚พ2,067
$498 เธฟ16.0K
54.17%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,500 โ‚พ6,725
$2,022 เธฟ64.8K
23.61%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,432 โ‚พ3,853
$1,524 เธฟ48.8K
-6.01%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$653 โ‚พ1,756
$639 เธฟ20.5K
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

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.

Salaries 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.

A 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.

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