😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,253 in Tbilisi versus $1,198 in Hirakata.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,029 in Tbilisi versus $1,903 in Hirakata.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,806 in Tbilisi versus $2,607 in Hirakata.
🌍Living in Tbilisi is roughly 5% more expensive than in Hirakata, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi7% lower, Hirakata11% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Hirakata
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.42₾29.63
$8.80¥1,390
29.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.57₾100
$31.54¥4,981
22.29%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.64₾25.02
$4.97¥786
93.96%
Cappuccino
$3.42₾8.87
$2.96¥468
15.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09₾2.83
$1.25¥198
-12.80%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.63₾1.64
$0.78¥123
-19.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.70₾7.02
$3.26¥515
-17.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.34₾8.66
$3.91¥617
-14.58%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Hirakata
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.15₾5.58
$1.46¥230
47.26%
White Bread(500g)
$0.73₾1.90
$1.30¥205
-43.85%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.75₾4.54
$5.54¥876
-68.41%
Eggs
$2.80₾7.26
$2.12¥336
32.08%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.39₾24.35
$9.76¥1,542
-3.79%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.78₾17.59
$6.85¥1,082
-1.02%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.87₾33.39
$17.65¥2,789
-27.08%
Apples(1kg)
$1.69₾4.39
$3.36¥530
-49.70%
Banana(1kg)
$1.81₾4.69
$1.95¥309
-7.18%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.88₾4.88
$3.20¥505
-41.25%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.48₾6.44
$3.95¥623
-37.22%
Potato(1kg)
$0.80₾2.08
$4.04¥639
-80.20%
Onion(1kg)
$0.66₾1.71
$3.70¥585
-82.16%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.35₾3.50
$1.37¥216
-1.46%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.75₾1.94
$0.93¥147
-19.35%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.36₾8.72
$3.99¥630
-15.79%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.89₾20.46
$9.36¥1,479
-15.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70₾4.40
$2.63¥416
-35.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37₾6.14
$3.21¥508
-26.17%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Hirakata
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.94
$1.50¥237
-76.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.65₾40.59
$50.5¥7,969
-68.98%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.17₾3.05
$3.13¥495
-62.62%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.73₾1.91
$3.12¥493
-76.60%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.58₾30.04
$16.07¥2,539
-27.94%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.39₾3.61
$1.11¥176
25.23%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.5K₾63.5K
$21.6K¥3.4M
13.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.1K₾57.3K
$15.6K¥2.5M
41.89%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Hirakata
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$90.7₾235
$117¥18.5K
-22.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.97₾33.64
$23.55¥3,721
-44.93%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.37₾50.3
$31.17¥4,924
-37.86%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Hirakata
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$65.6₾170
$50.8¥8,023
29.06%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.56₾48.14
$6.41¥1,013
189.55%
Cinema Ticket
$6.58₾17.07
$11.45¥1,809
-42.53%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Hirakata
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$365₾947
$524¥82.8K
-30.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7K₾27.9K
$13.0K¥2.1M
-17.59%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Hirakata
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104₾269
$48.55¥7,669
113.61%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.86₾101
$30.12¥4,758
29.02%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$116₾300
$61.7¥9,742
87.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121₾313
$89.0¥14.1K
35.45%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Hirakata
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$677₾1,756
$531¥83.8K
27.57%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$440₾1,142
$328¥51.9K
34.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,315₾3,411
$1,063¥168.0K
23.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$909₾2,357
$738¥116.6K
23.13%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,372₾6,153
$3,851¥608.3K
-38.40%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,403₾3,638
$1,695¥267.7K
-17.24%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Hirakata
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$654₾1,697
$1,884¥297.6K
-65.27%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.59
1.66
658.43%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: September 28, 2026
Last update for Hirakata: September 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $677 in Tbilisi and $531 in Hirakata. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Hirakata pays 188% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $39.00 in Tbilisi vs $32.00 in Hirakata. Groceries flip the comparison at $234 vs $310, with Tbilisi cheaper for home cooking.
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 Hirakata: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tbilisi and in Hirakata?
Tbilisi and Hirakata differ by about 5% in total monthly costs ($1,253 vs $1,198 including rent). Hirakata is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 188% lower in Hirakata. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Tbilisi and in Hirakata?
Rent for a central apartment: $677 in Tbilisi versus $531 in Hirakata. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Tbilisi and in Hirakata?
A monthly transit pass in Hirakata runs roughly 222% less than in Tbilisi. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Tbilisi and Hirakata?
Childcare runs $365 in Tbilisi versus $524 in Hirakata. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,198 in Hirakata versus $1,253 in Tbilisi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Hirakata but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Hirakata the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Hirakata?
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 Hirakata safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Hirakata 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 Hirakata?
Expats usually find Hirakata gentler on the wallet – expenses run 5% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.