🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,209 in Tbilisi versus $2,881 in Downey, CA.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,867 in Tbilisi versus $4,508 in Downey, CA.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,526 in Tbilisi versus $6,135 in Downey, CA.
🙂Living in Tbilisi costs roughly 58% less than in Downey, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Tbilisi is 10% below, Downey, CA is 115% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Downey, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.80₾28.71
$19.68$19.68
-45.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.18₾115
$85.8$85.8
-49.67%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.29₾22.04
$14.56$14.56
-43.06%
Cappuccino
$3.00₾7.97
$5.36$5.36
-44.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.82₾2.17
$2.74$2.74
-70.07%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46₾1.21
$1.97$1.97
-76.65%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.23₾5.93
$7.14$7.14
-68.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92₾7.75
$7.92$7.92
-63.13%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Downey, CA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.93₾5.12
$1.07$1.07
80.37%
White Bread(500g)
$0.68₾1.81
$3.94$3.94
-82.74%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.88₾5.00
$4.64$4.64
-59.48%
Eggs
$2.54₾6.74
$4.66$4.66
-45.49%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.42₾19.70
$10.81$10.81
-31.36%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.19₾16.44
$13.17$13.17
-53.00%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.36₾24.87
$14.30$14.30
-34.55%
Apples(1kg)
$1.22₾3.25
$3.55$3.55
-65.63%
Banana(1kg)
$1.66₾4.40
$1.74$1.74
-4.60%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.80₾4.78
$4.11$4.11
-56.20%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.24₾5.96
$5.70$5.70
-60.70%
Potato(1kg)
$0.71₾1.89
$3.30$3.30
-78.48%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67₾1.79
$3.31$3.31
-79.76%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18₾3.13
$1.52$1.52
-22.37%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66₾1.76
$2.16$2.16
-69.44%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.98₾7.91
$10.88$10.88
-72.61%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.61₾20.22
$14.71$14.71
-48.27%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54₾4.08
$1.92$1.92
-19.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25₾5.99
$3.52$3.52
-36.08%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Downey, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.95
$1.94$1.94
-81.44%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.44₾38.38
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.49₾3.97
$6.57$6.57
-77.32%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.68₾1.82
$1.70$1.70
-60.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.23₾19.20
$28.98$28.98
-75.05%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14₾3.04
$1.28$1.28
-10.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.5K₾49.1K
$23.8K$23.8K
-22.41%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.0K₾53.1K
$23.8K$23.8K
-16.00%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Downey, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.7₾196
$160$160
-54.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.64₾30.92
$45.72$45.72
-74.54%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.84₾47.41
$60.6$60.6
-70.54%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Downey, CA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.1₾160
$34.61$34.61
73.74%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.80₾44.65
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.60₾17.55
$13.98$13.98
-52.79%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Downey, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$266₾708
$1,195$1,195
-77.71%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,191₾13.8K
$23.3K$23.3K
-77.75%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Downey, CA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.7₾206
$56.3$56.3
38.08%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.75₾119
$35.35$35.35
26.59%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$117₾310
$86.8$86.8
34.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113₾300
$100$100
12.38%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Downey, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$693₾1,840
$1,781$1,781
-61.11%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$462₾1,227
$1,675$1,675
-72.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,320₾3,507
$3,651$3,651
-63.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$774₾2,057
$3,361$3,361
-76.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,430₾6,458
$5,767$5,767
-57.86%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,446₾3,842
$5,767$5,767
-74.93%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Downey, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$673₾1,788
$4,294$4,294
-84.33%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
6.64
79.07%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: May 31, 2026
Last update for Downey, CA: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $693 in Tbilisi and $1,781 in Downey, CA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Downey, CA pays 538% 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: $43.00 in Tbilisi vs $86.0 in Downey, CA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $203 vs $396 per month, with Tbilisi 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 Downey, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Downey, CA cheaper than Tbilisi?
Tbilisi is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 138% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Tbilisi or Downey, CA?
On paper, Downey, CA earns 538% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Tbilisi and Downey, CA?
Rent for a central apartment: $693 in Tbilisi versus $1,781 in Downey, CA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Tbilisi and Downey, CA?
Supermarket bills run roughly 95% higher in Downey, CA. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Tbilisi vs Downey, CA?
All in, you'll spend $1,209 per month in Tbilisi versus $2,881 in Downey, CA – a 138% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for Tbilisi or Downey, CA?
At $1,209 in Tbilisi versus $2,881 in Downey, CA, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tbilisi but tight or insufficient in Downey, CA. The gap between the two cities makes Tbilisi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Tbilisi or Downey, CA more family-friendly?
For families, Tbilisi is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Downey, CA, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Tbilisi or Downey, CA?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Downey, CA 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 Tbilisi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 138% less than in Downey, CA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.