😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,247 in Tbilisi versus $1,218 in Jekabpils.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,025 in Tbilisi versus $1,809 in Jekabpils.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,803 in Tbilisi versus $2,401 in Jekabpils.
🌍Living in Tbilisi is roughly 2% more expensive than in Jekabpils, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi9% lower, Jekabpils11% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Jekabpils
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.33₾29.44
$12.92€11.26
-12.31%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.71₾101
$32.50€28.32
19.11%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.52₾24.72
$9.81€8.55
-2.96%
Cappuccino
$3.41₾8.85
$3.55€3.09
-3.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04₾2.71
$1.02€0.89
1.96%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64₾1.66
$0.99€0.86
-35.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.61₾6.79
$5.91€5.15
-55.84%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24₾8.43
$4.57€3.98
-29.10%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Jekabpils
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.17₾5.65
$1.11€0.97
95.50%
White Bread(500g)
$0.74₾1.92
$1.51€1.32
-50.99%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71₾4.45
$2.58€2.25
-33.72%
Eggs
$2.83₾7.36
$2.36€2.06
19.92%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.22₾23.95
$10.90€9.50
-15.41%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.76₾17.55
$7.02€6.12
-3.70%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.77₾33.17
$14.41€12.55
-11.38%
Apples(1kg)
$1.64₾4.26
$1.63€1.42
0.61%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77₾4.60
$1.71€1.49
3.51%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87₾4.85
$1.97€1.71
-5.08%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.44₾6.34
$3.14€2.73
-22.29%
Potato(1kg)
$0.87₾2.25
$0.94€0.82
-7.45%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65₾1.70
$0.96€0.84
-32.29%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40₾3.64
$1.77€1.54
-20.90%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74₾1.93
$0.85€0.74
-12.94%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.41₾8.86
$5.85€5.10
-41.71%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.60₾19.75
$6.94€6.05
9.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70₾4.41
$1.49€1.30
14.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38₾6.20
$1.70€1.48
40.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Jekabpils
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.94
$1.13€0.98
-68.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.24₾39.60
$69.7€60.7
-78.14%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.18₾3.07
$1.03€0.89
14.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.76₾1.97
$0.42€0.36
80.95%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.34₾29.46
$18.31€15.95
-38.07%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.33₾3.46
$1.78€1.55
-25.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7K₾64.2K
$28.2K€24.6K
-12.40%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0K₾57.2K
$31.8K€27.7K
-30.72%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Jekabpils
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.9₾231
$277€242
-67.97%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.33₾34.63
$11.33€9.87
17.65%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12₾52.3
$16.80€14.64
19.76%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Jekabpils
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.7₾178
$34.02€29.64
101.85%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.09₾47.00
$13.60€11.84
33.01%
Cinema Ticket
$6.72₾17.45
$11.13€9.70
-39.62%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Jekabpils
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$374₾971
$633€551
-40.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7K₾27.8K
$8,104€7,060
32.02%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Jekabpils
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$101₾263
$72.8€63.4
39.08%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.33₾102
$29.34€25.56
34.05%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾305
$88.4€77.0
32.93%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122₾318
$142€124
-14.13%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Jekabpils
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$682₾1,773
$233€203
192.98%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$456₾1,186
$173€151
163.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,303₾3,384
$408€356
219.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$899₾2,337
$346€302
159.67%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,449₾6,364
$855€745
186.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,452₾3,773
$827€721
75.51%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Jekabpils
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$652₾1,695
$1,020€888
-36.03%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.62
4.64
171.98%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026
Last update for Jekabpils: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $682 in Tbilisi and $233 in Jekabpils. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Jekabpils pays 56% 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 $33.00 in Jekabpils. Groceries flip the comparison at $232 vs $246, 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 Jekabpils: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tbilisi and in Jekabpils?
Tbilisi and Jekabpils differ by about 2% in total monthly costs ($1,247 vs $1,218 including rent). Jekabpils 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 56% lower in Jekabpils. 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 Jekabpils?
Rent for a central apartment: $682 in Tbilisi versus $233 in Jekabpils. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Tbilisi or Jekabpils?
All in, you'll spend $1,247 per month in Tbilisi versus $1,218 in Jekabpils – a 2% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Tbilisi and in Jekabpils?
A monthly transit pass in Jekabpils runs roughly 357% less than in Tbilisi. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,218 in Jekabpils versus $1,247 in Tbilisi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Jekabpils but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Jekabpils the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Jekabpils?
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 Jekabpils safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Jekabpils 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 Jekabpils?
Expats usually find Jekabpils gentler on the wallet – expenses run 2% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.