🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,279 in Tbilisi versus $1,659 in Hamilton.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,011 in Tbilisi versus $2,757 in Hamilton.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,743 in Tbilisi versus $3,856 in Hamilton.
🌍Living in Tbilisi costs roughly 23% less than in Hamilton, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Tbilisi is 7% below, Hamilton is 20% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Hamilton
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.43₾29.72
$12.43NZ$21.38
-8.05%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.16₾99.2
$76.5NZ$132
-50.13%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.40₾24.45
$8.80NZ$15.12
6.82%
Cappuccino
$3.38₾8.78
$3.58NZ$6.16
-5.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04₾2.70
$2.37NZ$4.07
-56.12%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60₾1.56
$2.55NZ$4.38
-76.47%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.71₾7.05
$6.35NZ$10.92
-57.32%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.04₾7.90
$5.97NZ$10.27
-49.08%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Hamilton
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.27₾5.90
$1.49NZ$2.56
52.35%
White Bread(500g)
$0.79₾2.04
$1.34NZ$2.30
-41.04%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.62₾4.21
$1.99NZ$3.42
-18.59%
Eggs
$2.74₾7.13
$5.64NZ$9.70
-51.42%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.30₾24.19
$6.03NZ$10.36
54.23%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.79₾17.65
$7.78NZ$13.38
-12.72%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.01₾33.84
$12.65NZ$21.75
2.85%
Apples(1kg)
$1.64₾4.27
$2.71NZ$4.67
-39.48%
Banana(1kg)
$1.83₾4.77
$2.29NZ$3.94
-20.09%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.90₾4.94
$3.36NZ$5.77
-43.45%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.57₾6.68
$6.50NZ$11.17
-60.46%
Potato(1kg)
$0.84₾2.19
$2.05NZ$3.52
-59.02%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65₾1.70
$1.43NZ$2.47
-54.55%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.36₾3.54
$2.06NZ$3.55
-33.98%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80₾2.07
$1.11NZ$1.90
-27.93%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.40₾8.85
$26.52NZ$45.59
-87.18%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.67₾19.94
$11.34NZ$19.50
-32.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.68₾4.36
$4.04NZ$6.94
-58.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38₾6.18
$4.35NZ$7.48
-45.29%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Hamilton
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.39₾1.02
$1.72NZ$2.96
-77.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.55₾40.44
$42.68NZ$73.4
-63.57%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.14₾2.96
$3.72NZ$6.40
-69.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.74₾1.93
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.32₾29.42
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.38₾3.60
$1.67NZ$2.87
-17.37%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K₾63.9K
$28.5KNZ$48.9K
-13.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0K₾57.2K
$24.3KNZ$41.8K
-9.52%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Hamilton
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.7₾231
$60.7NZ$104
46.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.18₾34.26
$37.57NZ$64.6
-64.92%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.68₾51.2
$57.7NZ$99.1
-65.86%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Hamilton
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.3₾177
$26.07NZ$44.82
161.80%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.94₾46.65
$29.02NZ$49.89
-38.18%
Cinema Ticket
$6.42₾16.70
$14.53NZ$24.98
-55.82%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Hamilton
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$372₾967
$693NZ$1,191
-46.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.8K₾28.1K
$23.4KNZ$40.2K
-53.73%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Hamilton
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105₾272
$64.9NZ$112
61.04%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.83₾101
$40.18NZ$69.1
-3.36%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$115₾299
$99.0NZ$170
15.97%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122₾318
$110NZ$189
11.25%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Hamilton
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$681₾1,770
$867NZ$1,490
-21.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$456₾1,185
$687NZ$1,181
-33.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,312₾3,410
$1,510NZ$2,597
-13.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$892₾2,321
$1,575NZ$2,707
-43.32%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,391₾6,216
$4,087NZ$7,026
-41.50%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,425₾3,704
$4,728NZ$8,128
-69.87%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Hamilton
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$640₾1,663
$2,775NZ$4,771
-76.95%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.62
6.83
84.77%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: September 5, 2026
Last update for Hamilton: September 5, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $681 in Tbilisi and $867 in Hamilton. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Hamilton pays 334% 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 $77.0 in Hamilton for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $236 vs $309 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 Hamilton: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hamilton cheaper than Tbilisi?
Tbilisi is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 30% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Tbilisi or Hamilton?
On paper, salaries run 334% lower in Hamilton. 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 Hamilton?
Rent for a central apartment: $681 in Tbilisi versus $867 in Hamilton. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Tbilisi or in Hamilton?
Dining out is cheaper in Tbilisi – a meal for two runs $38.00 versus $77.0 in Hamilton. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Tbilisi and in Hamilton?
All in, you'll spend $1,279 per month in Tbilisi versus $1,659 in Hamilton – a 30% 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 Hamilton?
At $1,279 in Tbilisi versus $1,659 in Hamilton, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tbilisi but tight or insufficient in Hamilton. The gap between the two cities makes Tbilisi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Tbilisi or Hamilton more family-friendly?
For families, Tbilisi is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Hamilton, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Tbilisi or Hamilton?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Hamilton 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 30% less than in Hamilton. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.