😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,247 in Tbilisi versus $946 in Cotonou.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,025 in Tbilisi versus $1,477 in Cotonou.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,803 in Tbilisi versus $2,009 in Cotonou.
🌍Living in Tbilisi is roughly 32% more expensive than in Cotonou, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi9% lower, Cotonou31% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Cotonou
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.33₾29.45
$5.34F CFA 3,052
112.17%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.71₾101
$36.50F CFA 20.9K
6.05%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.52₾24.73
$9.92F CFA 5,668
-4.03%
Cappuccino
$3.41₾8.85
$5.12F CFA 2,927
-33.40%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04₾2.71
$1.05F CFA 599
-0.95%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64₾1.66
$0.91F CFA 519
-29.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.61₾6.79
$0.86F CFA 491
203.49%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24₾8.43
$2.69F CFA 1,538
20.45%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Cotonou
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.17₾5.65
$3.17F CFA 1,814
-31.55%
White Bread(500g)
$0.74₾1.92
$1.28F CFA 731
-42.19%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71₾4.45
$1.88F CFA 1,074
-9.04%
Eggs
$2.83₾7.36
$2.81F CFA 1,605
0.71%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.22₾23.95
$9.66F CFA 5,522
-4.55%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.76₾17.55
$5.66F CFA 3,232
19.43%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.77₾33.17
$5.19F CFA 2,963
146.05%
Apples(1kg)
$1.64₾4.26
$4.32F CFA 2,466
-62.04%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77₾4.60
$1.93F CFA 1,105
-8.29%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87₾4.85
$1.34F CFA 764
39.55%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.44₾6.34
$2.78F CFA 1,590
-12.23%
Potato(1kg)
$0.87₾2.25
$1.30F CFA 741
-33.08%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65₾1.70
$1.80F CFA 1,031
-63.89%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40₾3.64
$0.45F CFA 257
211.11%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74₾1.93
$1.16F CFA 663
-36.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.41₾8.86
$3.44F CFA 1,963
-0.87%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.60₾19.75
$4.29F CFA 2,451
77.16%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70₾4.41
$1.22F CFA 695
39.34%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38₾6.20
$1.89F CFA 1,079
25.93%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Cotonou
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.94
$1.36F CFA 776
-73.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.24₾39.60
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.18₾3.07
$1.38F CFA 788
-14.49%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.76₾1.97
$1.44F CFA 821
-47.22%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.34₾29.47
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.33₾3.46
$1.23F CFA 701
8.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7K₾64.2K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0K₾57.2K
$25.1KF CFA 14.3M
-12.22%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Cotonou
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.9₾231
$151F CFA 86.1K
-40.99%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.33₾34.63
$35.44F CFA 20.2K
-62.39%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12₾52.3
$49.28F CFA 28.2K
-59.17%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Cotonou
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.7₾178
$49.48F CFA 28.3K
38.78%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.09₾47.01
$3.54F CFA 2,025
411.02%
Cinema Ticket
$6.72₾17.46
$8.86F CFA 5,061
-24.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Cotonou
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$374₾971
$137F CFA 78.0K
173.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7K₾27.8K
$5,660F CFA 3.2M
89.02%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Cotonou
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$101₾263
$25.92F CFA 14.8K
290.47%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.33₾102
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾305
$34.87F CFA 19.9K
237.02%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122₾318
$70.6F CFA 40.3K
73.20%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Cotonou
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$682₾1,773
$182F CFA 103.9K
275.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$456₾1,186
$175F CFA 99.8K
161.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,303₾3,385
$614F CFA 351.0K
112.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$899₾2,337
$429F CFA 245.2K
109.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,449₾6,365
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,452₾3,774
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Cotonou
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$652₾1,695
$261F CFA 149.2K
149.76%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.62
4
215.50%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026
Last update for Cotonou: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $682 in Tbilisi and $182 in Cotonou. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Tbilisi pays 150% 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: $39.00 in Tbilisi vs $37.00 in Cotonou for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $232 vs $230 per month, with Cotonou 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 Cotonou: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cotonou cheaper than Tbilisi?
Cotonou is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 32% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Tbilisi or Cotonou?
Average pay runs 150% higher in Tbilisi, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Tbilisi and Cotonou?
Rent for a central apartment: $682 in Tbilisi versus $182 in Cotonou. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Tbilisi and in Cotonou?
Supermarket bills run roughly 1% higher in Tbilisi. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Tbilisi and in Cotonou?
All in, you'll spend $1,247 per month in Tbilisi versus $946 in Cotonou – a 32% 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 Cotonou?
At $946 in Cotonou versus $1,247 in Tbilisi, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Cotonou but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Cotonou the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Tbilisi or Cotonou more family-friendly?
For families, Cotonou 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 Cotonou?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Cotonou 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 Cotonou gentler on the wallet – expenses run 32% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.