😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,286 in Tbilisi versus $368 in Erdenet.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,044 in Tbilisi versus $624 in Erdenet.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,802 in Tbilisi versus $880 in Erdenet.
🌍Living in Tbilisi is roughly 249% more expensive than in Erdenet, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi6% lower, Erdenet73% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Erdenet
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.72₾30.58
$4.08MNT 14.7K
187.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.88₾98.9
$27.80MNT 100.0K
36.26%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.74₾25.43
$4.09MNT 14.7K
138.14%
Cappuccino
$3.41₾8.91
$2.17MNT 7,801
57.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.06₾2.77
$0.61MNT 2,188
73.77%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65₾1.69
$0.44MNT 1,576
47.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.70₾7.06
$1.70MNT 6,098
58.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10₾8.09
$1.64MNT 5,887
89.02%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Erdenet
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.20₾5.74
$1.02MNT 3,659
115.69%
White Bread(500g)
$0.81₾2.10
$0.84MNT 3,014
-3.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.64₾4.27
$2.74MNT 9,837
-40.15%
Eggs
$2.75₾7.19
$1.94MNT 6,981
41.75%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.01₾23.52
$7.06MNT 25.4K
27.62%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.55₾17.10
$6.92MNT 24.9K
-5.35%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.62₾32.94
$4.53MNT 16.3K
178.59%
Apples(1kg)
$1.67₾4.36
$2.29MNT 8,220
-27.07%
Banana(1kg)
$1.81₾4.73
$1.64MNT 5,909
10.37%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93₾5.04
$1.65MNT 5,919
16.97%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.59₾6.76
$1.37MNT 4,938
89.05%
Potato(1kg)
$0.87₾2.26
$1.36MNT 4,876
-36.03%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65₾1.69
$0.79MNT 2,847
-17.72%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.39₾3.63
$1.37MNT 4,937
1.46%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80₾2.08
$0.93MNT 3,342
-13.98%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.36₾8.78
$2.85MNT 10.2K
17.89%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.54₾19.68
$5.55MNT 19.9K
35.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.61₾4.21
$1.65MNT 5,923
-2.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25₾5.86
$1.62MNT 5,842
38.89%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Erdenet
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.37₾0.96
$0.17MNT 628
117.65%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.11₾39.45
$19.20MNT 69.0K
-21.30%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.17₾3.06
$0.65MNT 2,350
80.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.80₾2.09
$0.43MNT 1,559
86.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.33₾29.58
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.33₾3.47
$0.75MNT 2,687
77.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.0K₾65.2K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.4K₾58.4K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Erdenet
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$89.1₾233
$59.5MNT 213.7K
49.89%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.25₾34.58
$2.83MNT 10.2K
368.20%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.46₾50.8
$13.97MNT 50.2K
39.30%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Erdenet
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.4₾179
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.68₾48.77
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.63₾17.32
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Erdenet
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$363₾949
$278MNT 999.9K
30.70%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7K₾27.8K
$2,519MNT 9.1M
323.26%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Erdenet
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104₾270
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.84₾101
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$117₾304
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123₾320
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Erdenet
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$682₾1,782
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$447₾1,166
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,284₾3,353
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$920₾2,401
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,487₾6,492
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,423₾3,715
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Erdenet
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$646₾1,686
$223MNT 802.9K
189.20%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.73
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: August 31, 2026
Last update for Erdenet: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Tbilisi pays 189% 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: $38.00 in Tbilisi vs $28.00 in Erdenet for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $232 vs $186 per month, with Erdenet 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 Erdenet: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tbilisi and in Erdenet?
Tbilisi and Erdenet differ by about 249% in total monthly costs ($1,286 vs $368 including rent). Erdenet is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Tbilisi or Erdenet?
Average pay runs 189% 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 difference in childcare costs between Tbilisi and Erdenet?
Childcare runs $363 in Tbilisi versus $278 in Erdenet. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 24% higher in Tbilisi. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $368 in Erdenet versus $1,286 in Tbilisi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Erdenet but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Erdenet the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Erdenet?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Tbilisi or Erdenet safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Erdenet 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 Erdenet?
Expats usually find Erdenet gentler on the wallet – expenses run 249% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.