Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and the Galapagos Islands

For one person, living is cheaper in the Galapagos Islands: $884 a month against $1,269 in Tbilisi, rent and utilities included – about $4,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Tbilisi, Georgia
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Tbilisi
🇬🇪 Georgia
$1,269
/mo nomad
Galapagos Islands
🇪🇨 Ecuador
$884
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Tbilisi and in the Galapagos Islands

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 the Galapagos Islands actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,269 per month in Tbilisi vs $884 in the Galapagos Islands, rent included.

  • Tbilisi $1,269
  • Galapagos Islands $884

A couple spends around $2,016 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,336 in the Galapagos Islands, rent included.

  • Tbilisi $2,016
  • Galapagos Islands $1,336

A family of three spends $2,763 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,789 in the Galapagos Islands, rent included.

  • Tbilisi $2,763
  • Galapagos Islands $1,789

Tbilisi costs about 44% more than the Galapagos Islands, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Tbilisi and Galapagos Islands are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi 7% lower, Galapagos Islands 35% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Galapagos Islands
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.63 ₾30.07
$3.54 $3.54
228.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.83 ₾97.8
$27.52 $27.52
37.46%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.66 ₾24.98
$7.27 $7.27
32.87%
Cappuccino
$3.57 ₾9.24
$2.50 $2.50
42.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.08 ₾2.78
$0.85 $0.85
27.06%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.56 ₾1.45
$0.66 $0.66
-15.15%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.62 ₾6.78
$2.04 $2.04
28.43%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.04 ₾7.85
$3.54 $3.54
-14.12%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Galapagos Islands
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.17 ₾5.60
$1.09 $1.09
99.08%
White Bread (500g)
$0.80 ₾2.06
$1.62 $1.62
-50.62%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.74 ₾4.51
$1.57 $1.57
10.83%
Eggs
$2.83 ₾7.31
$2.17 $2.17
30.41%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.31 ₾24.07
$5.42 $5.42
71.77%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.52 ₾16.85
$5.55 $5.55
17.48%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.95 ₾33.50
$6.21 $6.21
108.53%
Apples (1kg)
$1.68 ₾4.34
$2.02 $2.02
-16.83%
Banana (1kg)
$1.85 ₾4.79
$1.16 $1.16
59.48%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.97 ₾5.10
$1.08 $1.08
82.41%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.42 ₾6.25
$1.07 $1.07
126.17%
Potato (1kg)
$0.82 ₾2.11
$1.45 $1.45
-43.45%
Onion (1kg)
$0.74 ₾1.91
$1.03 $1.03
-28.16%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.34 ₾3.47
$0.51 $0.51
162.75%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.77 ₾2.00
$0.99 $0.99
-22.22%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.57 ₾9.24
$5.86 $5.86
-39.08%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.67 ₾19.83
$9.92 $9.92
-22.68%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70 ₾4.39
$1.51 $1.51
12.58%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40 ₾6.21
$2.53 $2.53
-5.14%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Galapagos Islands
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.40 ₾1.05
$0.37 $0.37
8.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$15.23 ₾39.38
$24.14 $24.14
-36.91%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.14 ₾2.95
$1.48 $1.48
-22.97%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.78 ₾2.02
$1.01 $1.01
-22.77%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.83 ₾30.58
$9.92 $9.92
19.25%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ₾3.75
$0.66 $0.66
119.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K ₾63.6K
$25.3K $25.3K
-2.81%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.3K ₾57.8K
$28.4K $28.4K
-21.32%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Galapagos Islands
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$88.8 ₾230
$39.48 $39.48
124.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.12 ₾33.93
$13.57 $13.57
-3.32%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.67 ₾50.9
$31.19 $31.19
-36.93%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Galapagos Islands
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$64.1 ₾166
$29.46 $29.46
117.41%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04 ₾49.24
$14.80 $14.80
28.65%
Cinema Ticket
$7.12 ₾18.42
$7.18 $7.18
-0.84%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Galapagos Islands
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$375 ₾971
$253 $253
48.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.5K ₾27.1K
$5,750 $5,750
82.09%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Galapagos Islands
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104 ₾268
$55.7 $55.7
86.20%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.26 ₾102
$43.02 $43.02
-8.74%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$117 ₾303
$98.0 $98.0
19.71%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122 ₾315
$75.9 $75.9
60.46%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Galapagos Islands
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$695 ₾1,798
$340 $340
104.69%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$451 ₾1,167
$314 $314
43.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,355 ₾3,504
$633 $633
114.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$906 ₾2,343
$499 $499
81.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,295 ₾5,934
$1,218 $1,218
88.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,345 ₾3,478
$998 $998
34.80%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Galapagos Islands
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$664 ₾1,718
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12.62
10
26.20%

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

Last update for Tbilisi: October 27, 2026

Last update for the Galapagos Islands: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
$451
Galapagos Islands
$314 30.5% $138
Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
$234
Galapagos Islands
$184 21.2% $50
Eating Out
Tbilisi
$191
Galapagos Islands
$103 45.8% $87
Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
$172
Galapagos Islands
$123 28.6% $49
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
$122
Galapagos Islands
$84 30.7% $37
Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
$78
Galapagos Islands
$44 44% $34
Getting Around
Tbilisi
$22
Galapagos Islands
$32 46.8% $10

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $695 in Tbilisi versus $340 in the Galapagos Islands. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $38 in Tbilisi versus $28 in the Galapagos Islands. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $234 vs $184 – making Galapagos Islands the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇬🇪 Tbilisi
🇪🇨 Galapagos Islands
🕒 Local time
12:20 12:20 PM
02:20 2:20 AM
10 h behind Tbilisi
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,241,700 Capital
32,000
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to GEL – Georgian Lari Converter

Georgian Lari exchange rates as of October 29, 2026: 1 USD = 2.59 GEL (1 GEL = 0.387 USD). 1 EUR = 2.89 GEL (1 GEL = 0.347 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 29, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.896 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Tbilisi Galapagos Islands 13,690 km ≈ 18 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Tbilisi
  • Galapagos Islands

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 Galapagos Islands: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Tbilisi and in the Galapagos Islands compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,269 in Tbilisi, $884 in the Galapagos Islands – Galapagos Islands comes out roughly 30% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in eating out.
What salary covers living expenses in Tbilisi compared to the Galapagos Islands?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,904 per month in Tbilisi and $1,326 in the Galapagos Islands. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Tbilisi and the Galapagos Islands?
Rent is clearly cheaper in the Galapagos Islands, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $340 there versus $695 in Tbilisi.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 27% more in Tbilisi, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $38 in Tbilisi and $28 in the Galapagos Islands. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $1,200 per month?
A $1,200 monthly budget goes further in the Galapagos Islands, where all-in costs run around $884, than in Tbilisi at $1,269. In Galapagos Islands it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tbilisi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Where should families live: Tbilisi or Galapagos Islands?
Families tend to lean toward the Galapagos Islands – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Is Tbilisi or Galapagos Islands safer for residents?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.

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