🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,178 in Tbilisi versus $2,569 in Joliet, IL.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,848 in Tbilisi versus $3,705 in Joliet, IL.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,518 in Tbilisi versus $4,840 in Joliet, IL.
🙂Living in Tbilisi costs roughly 54% less than in Joliet, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Tbilisi is 12% below, Joliet, IL is 93% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Joliet, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.09₾29.35
$18.68$18.68
-40.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.24₾114
$74.5$74.5
-41.96%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.55₾22.63
$10.94$10.94
-21.85%
Cappuccino
$2.97₾7.86
$5.22$5.22
-43.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76₾2.01
$2.48$2.48
-69.35%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46₾1.22
$1.98$1.98
-76.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.22₾5.88
$6.07$6.07
-63.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92₾7.73
$6.90$6.90
-57.68%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Joliet, IL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.97₾5.21
$1.05$1.05
87.62%
White Bread(500g)
$0.73₾1.94
$3.57$3.57
-79.55%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.82₾4.81
$4.21$4.21
-56.77%
Eggs
$2.49₾6.60
$4.27$4.27
-41.69%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.66₾20.27
$12.06$12.06
-36.48%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.27₾16.59
$11.23$11.23
-44.17%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.50₾25.14
$15.68$15.68
-39.41%
Apples(1kg)
$1.23₾3.24
$5.02$5.02
-75.50%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64₾4.33
$1.62$1.62
1.23%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87₾4.95
$4.21$4.21
-55.58%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.27₾6.02
$4.79$4.79
-52.61%
Potato(1kg)
$0.67₾1.77
$2.92$2.92
-77.05%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67₾1.79
$2.88$2.88
-76.74%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.22₾3.23
$2.10$2.10
-41.90%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70₾1.85
$2.20$2.20
-68.18%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.92₾7.73
$9.75$9.75
-70.05%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.72₾20.42
$13.75$13.75
-43.85%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.55₾4.09
$1.85$1.85
-16.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22₾5.86
$3.30$3.30
-32.73%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Joliet, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.39₾1.02
$2.03$2.03
-80.79%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.67₾38.81
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44₾3.82
$3.58$3.58
-59.78%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.69₾1.81
$1.59$1.59
-56.60%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.37₾19.52
$29.31$29.31
-74.85%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14₾3.03
$0.85$0.85
34.12%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.2K₾48.1K
$30.1K$30.1K
-39.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.4K₾54.1K
$25.1K$25.1K
-18.58%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Joliet, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.6₾195
$187$187
-60.56%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.64₾30.80
$52.9$52.9
-77.98%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.63₾46.65
$66.6$66.6
-73.51%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Joliet, IL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.4₾162
$43.41$43.41
41.35%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.85₾44.59
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.69₾17.71
$13.63$13.63
-50.92%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Joliet, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$264₾699
$1,320$1,320
-80.00%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,169₾13.7K
$23.8K$23.8K
-78.27%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Joliet, IL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.1₾199
$50.5$50.5
48.70%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.26₾114
$40.23$40.23
7.53%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾311
$87.2$87.2
34.86%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111₾295
$113$113
-1.68%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Joliet, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$706₾1,868
$1,609$1,609
-56.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$461₾1,221
$1,368$1,368
-66.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,318₾3,488
$2,583$2,583
-48.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$781₾2,066
$2,246$2,246
-65.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,463₾6,517
$2,770$2,770
-11.08%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,409₾3,727
$2,447$2,447
-42.45%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Joliet, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$672₾1,779
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
6.51
82.64%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: June 14, 2026
Last update for Joliet, IL: June 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $706 in Tbilisi and $1,609 in Joliet, IL. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $43.00 in Tbilisi vs $74.0 in Joliet, IL for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $206 vs $388 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 Joliet, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tbilisi and Joliet, IL?
Tbilisi and Joliet, IL differ by about 118% in total monthly costs ($1,178 vs $2,569 including rent). Tbilisi is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Tbilisi compared to Joliet, IL?
You'd need roughly $1,767 in Tbilisi and $3,854 in Joliet, IL to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Tbilisi and Joliet, IL?
Rent for a central apartment: $706 in Tbilisi versus $1,609 in Joliet, IL. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Tbilisi and Joliet, IL?
Childcare runs $264 in Tbilisi versus $1,320 in Joliet, IL. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Tbilisi – a meal for two runs $43.00 versus $74.0 in Joliet, IL. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,178 in Tbilisi versus $2,569 in Joliet, IL, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tbilisi but tight or insufficient in Joliet, IL. The gap between the two cities makes Tbilisi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Joliet, IL?
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 Joliet, IL safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Joliet, IL 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 Joliet, IL?
Expats usually find Tbilisi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 118% less than in Joliet, IL. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.