Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Ithaca, NY Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Ithaca, NY

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,209 per month in Tbilisi vs $2,218 in Ithaca, NY, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,867 per month in Tbilisi vs $3,397 in Ithaca, NY, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,526 per month in Tbilisi vs $4,576 in Ithaca, NY, rent included.

Tbilisi is about 45% cheaper than Ithaca, NY, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Tbilisi sits 10% below the global median, while Ithaca, NY is 66% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Ithaca, NY
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.80 ₾28.70
$20.08 $20.08
-46.22%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.18 ₾115
$68.7 $68.7
-37.15%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.29 ₾22.03
$10.97 $10.97
-24.43%
Cappuccino
$3.00 ₾7.96
$5.01 $5.01
-40.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.82 ₾2.17
$2.84 $2.84
-71.13%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46 ₾1.21
$1.88 $1.88
-75.53%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.23 ₾5.93
$5.01 $5.01
-55.49%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92 ₾7.75
$6.03 $6.03
-51.58%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Ithaca, NY
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.93 ₾5.11
$0.99 $0.99
94.95%
White Bread (500g)
$0.68 ₾1.81
$3.91 $3.91
-82.61%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.88 ₾4.99
$5.60 $5.60
-66.43%
Eggs
$2.54 ₾6.73
$4.10 $4.10
-38.05%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.42 ₾19.70
$13.84 $13.84
-46.39%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.19 ₾16.43
$6.62 $6.62
-6.50%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.36 ₾24.86
$15.01 $15.01
-37.64%
Apples (1kg)
$1.22 ₾3.25
$4.57 $4.57
-73.30%
Banana (1kg)
$1.66 ₾4.40
$1.59 $1.59
4.40%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.80 ₾4.78
$4.58 $4.58
-60.70%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.24 ₾5.96
$5.01 $5.01
-55.29%
Potato (1kg)
$0.71 ₾1.89
$7.04 $7.04
-89.91%
Onion (1kg)
$0.67 ₾1.79
$3.54 $3.54
-81.07%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.18 ₾3.13
$2.89 $2.89
-59.17%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66 ₾1.76
$1.77 $1.77
-62.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.98 ₾7.91
$8.86 $8.86
-66.37%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.61 ₾20.21
$13.79 $13.79
-44.82%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54 ₾4.08
$1.85 $1.85
-16.76%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25 ₾5.98
$4.06 $4.06
-44.58%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Ithaca, NY
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.36 ₾0.95
$1.49 $1.49
-75.84%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$14.44 ₾38.36
$45.56 $45.56
-68.31%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.49 ₾3.96
$4.88 $4.88
-69.47%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.68 ₾1.82
$1.36 $1.36
-50.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.23 ₾19.19
$26.98 $26.98
-73.20%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.14 ₾3.04
$0.90 $0.90
26.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.5K ₾49.0K
$29.8K $29.8K
-37.98%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.0K ₾53.0K
$26.1K $26.1K
-23.43%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Ithaca, NY
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$73.7 ₾196
$137 $137
-46.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.64 ₾30.91
$47.48 $47.48
-75.48%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.84 ₾47.39
$65.8 $65.8
-72.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Ithaca, NY
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$60.1 ₾160
$42.94 $42.94
40.03%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.80 ₾44.63
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.60 ₾17.54
$10.94 $10.94
-39.67%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Ithaca, NY
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$266 ₾708
$1,559 $1,559
-82.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,191 ₾13.8K
$28.3K $28.3K
-81.64%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Ithaca, NY
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.7 ₾206
$43.80 $43.80
77.40%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.75 ₾119
$39.88 $39.88
12.21%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$117 ₾310
$78.9 $78.9
48.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 ₾300
$103 $103
9.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Ithaca, NY
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$693 ₾1,839
$1,647 $1,647
-57.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$462 ₾1,226
$1,059 $1,059
-56.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,320 ₾3,505
$2,614 $2,614
-49.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$774 ₾2,056
$1,860 $1,860
-58.37%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,430 ₾6,455
$2,182 $2,182
11.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,446 ₾3,840
$2,137 $2,137
-32.33%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Ithaca, NY
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$673 ₾1,787
$3,366 $3,366
-80.01%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.89
6.28
89.33%

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

Last update for Tbilisi: May 31, 2026

Last update for Ithaca, NY: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $693 in Tbilisi versus $1,647 in Ithaca, NY. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 400% higher in Ithaca, NY, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $43.00 in Tbilisi versus $69.0 in Ithaca, NY. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $203 vs $389 – making Tbilisi the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 Ithaca, NY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Tbilisi and Ithaca, NY compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,209 in Tbilisi, $2,218 in Ithaca, NY – roughly 83% apart. Ithaca, NY costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Tbilisi compared to Ithaca, NY?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,813 per month in Tbilisi and $3,327 in Ithaca, NY. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Tbilisi and Ithaca, NY?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Tbilisi, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $43.00 in Tbilisi and $69.0 in Ithaca, NY. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Tbilisi or Ithaca, NY?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,209 in Tbilisi and $2,218 in Ithaca, NY. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Tbilisi, where all-in costs run around $1,209, than in Ithaca, NY at $2,218. In Tbilisi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ithaca, NY it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Ithaca, NY?
It depends on your priorities. Tbilisi has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,209 in Tbilisi to $2,218 in Ithaca, NY. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Tbilisi or Ithaca, NY safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Tbilisi and Ithaca, NY?
If budget matters most, go with Tbilisi. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Ithaca, NY makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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