Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and EscazuCost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Escazu
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,191 in Tbilisi versus $2,047 in Escazu.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,856 in Tbilisi versus $2,851 in Escazu.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,522 in Tbilisi versus $3,655 in Escazu.
🌍Living in Tbilisi costs roughly 42% less than in Escazu, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Tbilisi is 11% below, Escazu is 54% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Escazu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.91₾28.57
$10.73₡4,830
1.68%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.19₾113
$60.8₡27.4K
-29.01%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.53₾22.32
$9.79₡4,406
-12.87%
Cappuccino
$2.99₾7.82
$3.89₡1,751
-23.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.81₾2.12
$1.98₡891
-59.09%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42₾1.09
$1.65₡743
-74.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.16₾5.66
$3.00₡1,349
-28.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88₾7.53
$4.60₡2,069
-37.39%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Escazu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.94₾5.08
$1.95₡879
-0.51%
White Bread(500g)
$0.68₾1.77
$2.76₡1,243
-75.36%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.85₾4.83
$2.20₡992
-15.91%
Eggs
$2.53₾6.63
$3.03₡1,362
-16.50%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.53₾19.70
$10.15₡4,567
-25.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.26₾16.40
$9.02₡4,059
-30.60%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.59₾25.10
$13.49₡6,072
-28.91%
Apples(1kg)
$1.16₾3.04
$4.37₡1,966
-73.46%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64₾4.29
$1.52₡686
7.89%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.88₾4.93
$4.37₡1,967
-56.98%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.23₾5.84
$3.28₡1,478
-32.01%
Potato(1kg)
$0.70₾1.83
$3.50₡1,576
-80.00%
Onion(1kg)
$0.64₾1.68
$3.24₡1,460
-80.25%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18₾3.10
$0.95₡429
24.21%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70₾1.83
$2.94₡1,321
-76.19%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.97₾7.79
$5.06₡2,279
-41.30%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.43₾19.46
$19.00₡8,551
-60.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54₾4.03
$1.73₡779
-10.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28₾5.98
$2.69₡1,212
-15.24%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Escazu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.93
$0.97₡436
-62.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.73₾38.56
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42₾3.71
$1.75₡788
-18.86%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.69₾1.81
$1.79₡805
-61.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.27₾19.02
$7.77₡3,497
-6.44%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.09₾2.86
$1.41₡636
-22.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.3K₾48.0K
$31.1K₡14.0M
-41.03%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.5K₾53.6K
$32.0K₡14.4M
-35.94%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Escazu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$74.4₾195
$66.7₡30.0K
11.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.71₾30.65
$25.68₡11.6K
-54.40%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60₾46.08
$50.8₡22.8K
-65.32%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Escazu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.3₾158
$105₡47.3K
-42.63%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.29₾42.65
$10.18₡4,581
60.02%
Cinema Ticket
$6.51₾17.03
$9.82₡4,420
-33.71%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Escazu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$269₾704
$565₡254.4K
-52.40%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,154₾13.5K
$14.3K₡6.4M
-63.88%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Escazu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.1₾202
$62.4₡28.1K
23.65%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.48₾114
$50.7₡22.8K
-14.22%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾310
$126₡56.6K
-5.86%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113₾295
$106₡47.7K
6.28%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Escazu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$709₾1,857
$1,062₡477.7K
-33.18%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$465₾1,216
$1,056₡475.1K
-56.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,316₾3,444
$1,652₡743.4K
-20.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$767₾2,007
$1,302₡585.8K
-41.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,492₾6,525
$1,380₡621.0K
80.61%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,442₾3,775
$1,232₡554.3K
17.06%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Escazu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$663₾1,735
$1,783₡802.5K
-62.83%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
10.17
16.91%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: July 25, 2026
Last update for Escazu: July 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $709 in Tbilisi and $1,062 in Escazu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Escazu pays 169% 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 $61.0 in Escazu for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $204 vs $357 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 Escazu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Escazu cheaper than Tbilisi?
Tbilisi is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 72% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Tbilisi or Escazu?
On paper, salaries run 169% lower in Escazu. 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 Escazu?
Rent for a central apartment: $709 in Tbilisi versus $1,062 in Escazu. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Tbilisi and in Escazu?
Supermarket bills run roughly 75% higher in Escazu. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Tbilisi and in Escazu?
All in, you'll spend $1,191 per month in Tbilisi versus $2,047 in Escazu – a 72% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Tbilisi or in Escazu?
At $1,191 in Tbilisi versus $2,047 in Escazu, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tbilisi but tight or insufficient in Escazu. The gap between the two cities makes Tbilisi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Tbilisi or Escazu more family-friendly?
For families, Tbilisi is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Escazu, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Tbilisi or Escazu?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Escazu 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 72% less than in Escazu. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.