๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,199 in Tbilisi versus $2,560 in Effingham, IL.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,833 in Tbilisi versus $3,554 in Effingham, IL.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,466 in Tbilisi versus $4,549 in Effingham, IL.
๐Living in Tbilisi costs roughly 53% less than in Effingham, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
๐The two cities straddle the global median: Tbilisi is 11% below, Effingham, IL is 91% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Tbilisi
Effingham, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.86โพ29.20
$15.07$15.07
-27.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.33โพ117
$45.36$45.36
-4.48%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.25โพ22.19
$9.82$9.82
-15.99%
Cappuccino
$3.10โพ8.33
$5.36$5.36
-42.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80โพ2.15
$2.40$2.40
-66.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46โพ1.24
$1.94$1.94
-76.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.16โพ5.81
$5.03$5.03
-57.06%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.94โพ7.92
$7.07$7.07
-58.42%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Effingham, IL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.93โพ5.19
$0.55$0.55
250.91%
White Bread(500g)
$0.67โพ1.81
$2.73$2.73
-75.46%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.82โพ4.91
$4.30$4.30
-57.67%
Eggs
$2.56โพ6.88
$3.07$3.07
-16.61%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.61โพ20.48
$15.73$15.73
-51.62%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.51โพ17.50
$11.00$11.00
-40.82%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.67โพ26.00
$14.24$14.24
-32.09%
Apples(1kg)
$1.16โพ3.12
$5.51$5.51
-78.95%
Banana(1kg)
$1.62โพ4.36
$1.51$1.51
7.28%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87โพ5.04
$4.25$4.25
-56.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.33โพ6.26
$5.77$5.77
-59.62%
Potato(1kg)
$0.65โพ1.75
$2.23$2.23
-70.85%
Onion(1kg)
$0.63โพ1.70
$1.08$1.08
-41.67%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18โพ3.17
$1.89$1.89
-37.57%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70โพ1.90
$2.02$2.02
-65.35%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.04โพ8.17
$8.77$8.77
-65.34%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.27โพ19.56
$12.08$12.08
-39.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.59โพ4.27
$2.60$2.60
-38.85%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.30โพ6.18
$3.35$3.35
-31.34%
๐ Getting Around
Tbilisi
Effingham, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36โพ0.96
$2.04$2.04
-82.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.68โพ39.48
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.50โพ4.03
$2.82$2.82
-46.81%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.70โพ1.87
$1.37$1.37
-48.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.35โพ19.78
$29.62$29.62
-75.19%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.13โพ3.05
$0.83$0.83
36.14%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.2Kโพ49.0K
$34.8K$34.8K
-47.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.2Kโพ54.5K
$26.6K$26.6K
-24.01%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Effingham, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$74.0โพ199
$238$238
-68.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.87โพ31.93
$45.30$45.30
-73.80%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.55โพ47.20
$61.3$61.3
-71.38%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Effingham, IL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.3โพ162
$43.69$43.69
38.11%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.69โพ44.89
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.73โพ18.10
$12.08$12.08
-44.29%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Effingham, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$261โพ703
$1,247$1,247
-79.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,146โพ13.8K
$13.5K$13.5K
-61.78%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Effingham, IL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.6โพ209
$44.47$44.47
74.48%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.48โพ117
$35.35$35.35
23.00%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118โพ318
$83.4$83.4
42.01%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111โพ298
$65.4$65.4
69.41%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Effingham, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$703โพ1,891
$1,602$1,602
-56.11%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$457โพ1,231
$1,334$1,334
-65.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,346โพ3,621
$2,631$2,631
-48.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$788โพ2,120
$2,184$2,184
-63.92%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,560โพ6,885
$2,342$2,342
9.28%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,443โพ3,881
$2,582$2,582
-44.12%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Effingham, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$648โพ1,742
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
6.61
79.88%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: April 21, 2026
Last update for Effingham, IL: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $703 in Tbilisi and $1,602 in Effingham, IL. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐Dining out: $43 in Tbilisi vs $45 in Effingham, IL for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $206 vs $374 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 Effingham, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tbilisi and Effingham, IL?
Tbilisi and Effingham, IL differ by about 113% in total monthly costs ($1,199 vs $2,560 including rent). Tbilisi is meaningfully more affordable โ a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Tbilisi compared to Effingham, IL?
You'd need roughly $1,799 in Tbilisi and $3,840 in Effingham, IL to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Tbilisi and Effingham, IL?
Rent for a central apartment: $703 in Tbilisi versus $1,602 in Effingham, IL. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 82% higher in Effingham, IL. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Tbilisi or Effingham, IL?
All in, you'll spend $1,199 per month in Tbilisi versus $2,560 in Effingham, IL โ a 113% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,199 in Tbilisi versus $2,560 in Effingham, IL, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tbilisi but tight or insufficient in Effingham, IL. The gap between the two cities makes Tbilisi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Effingham, IL?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better โ the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Tbilisi or Effingham, IL safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Effingham, IL are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Tbilisi or Effingham, IL?
Expats usually find Tbilisi gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 113% less than in Effingham, IL. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.