Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and KaradCost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Karad
Monthly Cost of Living
😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,185 in Tbilisi versus $485 in Karad.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,834 in Tbilisi versus $780 in Karad.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,483 in Tbilisi versus $1,074 in Karad.
😐Living in Tbilisi is roughly 144% more expensive than Karad, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi12% lower, Karad64% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Karad
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.15₾30.00
$5.28₹502
111.17%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.13₾116
$22.36₹2,123
92.89%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.22₾22.11
$4.67₹443
76.02%
Cappuccino
$3.13₾8.42
$2.52₹239
24.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74₾2.00
$0.47₹44.42
57.45%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45₾1.22
$0.18₹16.80
150.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.13₾5.74
$2.35₹224
-9.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.99₾8.06
$4.10₹389
-27.07%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Karad
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.89₾5.09
$0.79₹75.2
139.24%
White Bread(500g)
$0.73₾1.97
$0.51₹48.43
43.14%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.85₾4.98
$0.79₹74.8
134.18%
Eggs
$2.45₾6.58
$1.03₹97.8
137.86%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.85₾21.12
$7.16₹679
9.64%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.25₾16.82
$3.75₹356
66.67%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.77₾26.28
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.21₾3.26
$2.40₹228
-49.58%
Banana(1kg)
$1.59₾4.28
$0.81₹76.8
96.30%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.79₾4.81
$1.30₹123
37.69%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.32₾6.25
$0.70₹66.6
231.43%
Potato(1kg)
$0.71₾1.91
$0.53₹50.0
33.96%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67₾1.81
$0.59₹56.0
13.56%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18₾3.16
$0.68₹64.9
73.53%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.71₾1.92
$0.32₹30.70
121.87%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.92₾7.85
$4.04₹384
-27.72%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.25₾19.50
$7.88₹748
-7.99%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.55₾4.17
$2.15₹205
-27.91%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31₾6.21
$3.41₹323
-32.26%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$6.89₹654
-
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Karad
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.38₾1.03
$0.30₹28.63
26.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.81₾39.83
$8.90₹845
66.40%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.48₾3.98
$0.33₹31.73
348.48%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.69₾1.86
$0.30₹28.88
130.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.45₾20.05
$1.44₹136
417.36%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.15₾3.10
$1.22₹116
-5.74%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.0K₾48.4K
$17.1K₹1.6M
5.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.8K₾53.4K
$25.3K₹2.4M
-21.69%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Karad
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.4₾198
$51.3₹4,866
43.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.64₾31.32
$4.96₹471
134.68%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.77₾47.79
$9.10₹864
95.27%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Karad
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.6₾163
$15.68₹1,489
286.29%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.44₾44.21
$7.15₹679
129.93%
Cinema Ticket
$6.51₾17.52
$4.70₹447
38.51%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Karad
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$263₾707
$120₹11.4K
118.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,136₾13.8K
$3,275₹310.9K
56.82%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Karad
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.7₾209
$30.12₹2,859
157.97%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.39₾119
$31.12₹2,955
42.64%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾317
$55.5₹5,266
112.11%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114₾307
$40.00₹3,798
185.35%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Karad
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$693₾1,865
$122₹11.6K
469.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$462₾1,244
$75.1₹7,127
516.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,337₾3,597
$269₹25.5K
397.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$779₾2,096
$181₹17.2K
330.13%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,530₾6,805
$1,046₹99.3K
141.76%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,430₾3,847
$523₹49.7K
173.35%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Karad
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$633₾1,702
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
9.22
28.96%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: April 26, 2026
Last update for Karad: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $693 in Tbilisi and $122 in Karad. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $43.00 in Tbilisi vs $22.00 in Karad for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $206 vs $129 per month, with Karad 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 Karad: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tbilisi and Karad?
Tbilisi and Karad differ by about 144% in total monthly costs ($1,185 vs $485 including rent). Karad 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 Karad?
You'd need roughly $1,777 in Tbilisi and $727 in Karad 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 Karad?
Rent for a central apartment: $693 in Tbilisi versus $122 in Karad. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Tbilisi or Karad?
All in, you'll spend $1,185 per month in Tbilisi versus $485 in Karad – a 144% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Tbilisi and Karad?
A monthly transit pass in Karad runs roughly 66% 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 $485 in Karad versus $1,185 in Tbilisi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Karad but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Karad the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Karad?
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 Karad safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Karad 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 Karad?
Expats usually find Karad gentler on the wallet – expenses run 144% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.