Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Gaborone

For one person, living is cheaper in Gaborone: $866 a month against $1,242 in Tbilisi, rent and utilities included – about $4,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Tbilisi
🇬🇪 Georgia
$1,242
/mo nomad
Gaborone
🇧🇼 Botswana
$866
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Tbilisi and in Gaborone

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Tbilisi and in Gaborone actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,242 in Tbilisi versus $866 in Gaborone.

  • Tbilisi $1,242
  • Gaborone $866

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,962 in Tbilisi versus $1,301 in Gaborone.

  • Tbilisi $1,962
  • Gaborone $1,301

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,682 in Tbilisi versus $1,737 in Gaborone.

  • Tbilisi $2,682
  • Gaborone $1,737

Living in Tbilisi is roughly 43% more expensive than in Gaborone, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi 7% lower, Gaborone 35% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Gaborone
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.98 ₾28.46
$11.04 P 148
-0.54%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.21 ₾99.0
$29.11 P 390
31.26%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.58 ₾24.84
$5.87 P 78.6
63.20%
Cappuccino
$3.59 ₾9.31
$2.37 P 31.70
51.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.03 ₾2.66
$0.71 P 9.45
45.07%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.63 ₾1.64
$0.44 P 5.87
43.18%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.74 ₾7.10
$1.98 P 26.47
38.38%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.17 ₾8.22
$2.56 P 34.24
23.83%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Gaborone
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.13 ₾5.53
$1.47 P 19.66
44.90%
White Bread (500g)
$0.74 ₾1.91
$0.87 P 11.59
-14.94%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.72 ₾4.46
$1.98 P 26.48
-13.13%
Eggs
$2.78 ₾7.21
$2.54 P 34.06
9.45%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.48 ₾24.56
$6.45 P 86.4
46.98%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.45 ₾16.71
$4.77 P 63.9
35.22%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.02 ₾33.76
$4.88 P 65.4
166.80%
Apples (1kg)
$1.69 ₾4.37
$1.64 P 22.01
3.05%
Banana (1kg)
$1.84 ₾4.76
$1.40 P 18.73
31.43%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.89 ₾4.90
$1.95 P 26.07
-3.08%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.40 ₾6.22
$1.65 P 22.13
45.45%
Potato (1kg)
$0.84 ₾2.17
$1.31 P 17.53
-35.88%
Onion (1kg)
$0.68 ₾1.75
$1.15 P 15.40
-40.87%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.42 ₾3.68
$1.28 P 17.20
10.94%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.77 ₾2.01
$0.93 P 12.50
-17.20%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.56 ₾9.22
$3.71 P 49.75
-4.04%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.48 ₾19.39
$4.39 P 58.8
70.39%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71 ₾4.43
$1.43 P 19.23
19.58%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29 ₾5.94
$1.74 P 23.26
31.61%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Gaborone
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.40 ₾1.04
$0.67 P 9.00
-40.30%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$15.15 ₾39.27
$30.16 P 404
-49.77%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.19 ₾3.08
$0.64 P 8.60
85.94%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.78 ₾2.03
$2.61 P 35.04
-70.11%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.77 ₾30.50
$2.86 P 38.37
311.54%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.41 ₾3.65
$1.32 P 17.74
6.82%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.3K ₾62.9K
$19.6K P 263.0K
23.57%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.7K ₾56.3K
$19.9K P 266.4K
9.36%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Gaborone
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$87.6 ₾227
$60.2 P 807
45.57%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.33 ₾34.55
$19.85 P 266
-32.85%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.51 ₾50.6
$42.94 P 575
-54.56%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Gaborone
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$64.7 ₾168
$34.16 P 458
89.40%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.85 ₾48.86
$16.03 P 215
17.59%
Cinema Ticket
$6.55 ₾16.97
$5.98 P 80.1
9.53%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Gaborone
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$377 ₾978
$130 P 1,740
190.45%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.6K ₾27.5K
$2,526 P 33.8K
320.83%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Gaborone
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102 ₾265
$48.16 P 645
112.25%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.36 ₾105
$16.58 P 222
143.43%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$117 ₾302
$74.0 P 991
57.69%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121 ₾314
$78.3 P 1,049
54.74%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Gaborone
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$675 ₾1,749
$363 P 4,860
86.02%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$451 ₾1,170
$219 P 2,941
105.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,275 ₾3,305
$542 P 7,263
135.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$883 ₾2,288
$354 P 4,741
149.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,415 ₾6,259
$2,021 P 27.1K
19.48%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,404 ₾3,640
$1,252 P 16.8K
12.14%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Gaborone
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$706 ₾1,830
$450 P 6,033
56.79%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12.62
11.33
11.39%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Tbilisi: October 4, 2026

Last update for Gaborone: October 4, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
$451
Gaborone
$219 51.4% $232
Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
$232
Gaborone
$174 25.2% $59
Eating Out
Tbilisi
$186
Gaborone
$154 17.4% $33
Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
$171
Gaborone
$98 42.9% $74
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
$120
Gaborone
$123 2.1% $2.5
Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
$78
Gaborone
$46 40.7% $32
Getting Around
Tbilisi
$22
Gaborone
$47 113% $25

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $675 in Tbilisi and $363 in Gaborone. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Tbilisi pays 57% 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 $29.00 in Gaborone for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $232 vs $174 per month, with Gaborone cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇬🇪 Tbilisi
🇧🇼 Gaborone
🕒 Local time
08:59 8:59 AM
06:59 6:59 AM
2 h behind Tbilisi
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,241,700 Capital
231,626 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

BWP, USD, EUR to GEL – Georgian Lari Converter

Georgian Lari exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 2.59 GEL (1 GEL = 0.386 USD). 1 EUR = 2.91 GEL (1 GEL = 0.344 EUR).

Botswana Pula exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 13.4 BWP (100 BWP = 7.46 USD). 1 EUR = 15.03 BWP (100 BWP = 6.65 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Tbilisi Gaborone 7,630 km ≈ 10 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Tbilisi
  • Gaborone

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Gaborone: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gaborone cheaper than Tbilisi?
Gaborone is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and clothing. The 43% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Tbilisi or Gaborone?
Average pay runs 57% 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 Gaborone?
Rent for a central apartment: $675 in Tbilisi versus $363 in Gaborone. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Tbilisi and in Gaborone?
Supermarket bills run roughly 34% higher in Tbilisi. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Tbilisi or in Gaborone?
Dining out is cheaper in Gaborone – a meal for two runs $29.00 versus $38.00 in Tbilisi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Tbilisi or in Gaborone?
At $866 in Gaborone versus $1,242 in Tbilisi, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Gaborone but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Gaborone the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Tbilisi or Gaborone more family-friendly?
For families, Gaborone 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 Gaborone?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Gaborone 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 Gaborone gentler on the wallet – expenses run 43% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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