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: $1,191 in Tbilisi versus $490 in Karad.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,856 in Tbilisi versus $804 in Karad.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,522 in Tbilisi versus $1,117 in Karad.
🌍Living in Tbilisi is roughly 143% more expensive than in Karad, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi11% lower, Karad63% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Karad
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.91₾28.56
$5.15₹491
111.84%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.19₾113
$21.76₹2,076
98.48%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.53₾22.31
$4.58₹437
86.24%
Cappuccino
$2.99₾7.81
$2.66₹253
12.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.81₾2.12
$0.48₹45.51
68.75%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42₾1.09
$0.18₹17.59
133.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.16₾5.65
$2.36₹225
-8.47%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88₾7.52
$4.12₹393
-30.10%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Karad
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.94₾5.08
$0.78₹74.4
148.72%
White Bread(500g)
$0.68₾1.77
$0.52₹49.39
30.77%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.85₾4.83
$0.83₹78.8
122.89%
Eggs
$2.53₾6.62
$1.04₹99.5
143.27%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.53₾19.69
$6.95₹663
8.35%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.26₾16.39
$3.85₹367
62.60%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.59₾25.09
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.16₾3.04
$2.37₹226
-51.05%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64₾4.29
$0.75₹71.7
118.67%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.88₾4.93
$1.26₹121
49.21%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.23₾5.84
$0.65₹62.3
243.08%
Potato(1kg)
$0.70₾1.83
$0.57₹54.7
22.81%
Onion(1kg)
$0.64₾1.68
$0.63₹59.8
1.59%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18₾3.09
$0.69₹65.6
71.01%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70₾1.83
$0.35₹33.51
100.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.97₾7.78
$4.03₹384
-26.30%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.43₾19.45
$8.21₹783
-9.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54₾4.03
$2.10₹200
-26.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28₾5.98
$3.36₹321
-32.14%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$6.90₹658
-
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Karad
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.93
$0.28₹26.43
28.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.73₾38.54
$8.88₹847
65.88%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42₾3.71
$0.37₹35.00
283.78%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.69₾1.81
$0.30₹29.05
130.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.27₾19.02
$1.37₹131
430.66%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.09₾2.86
$1.20₹114
-9.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.3K₾47.9K
$17.7K₹1.7M
3.66%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.5K₾53.6K
$25.3K₹2.4M
-18.98%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Karad
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$74.4₾195
$50.3₹4,798
47.78%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.71₾30.63
$5.10₹487
129.61%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60₾46.06
$8.61₹821
104.41%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Karad
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.3₾158
$15.91₹1,517
278.82%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.29₾42.63
$7.09₹676
129.76%
Cinema Ticket
$6.51₾17.03
$4.56₹435
42.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Karad
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$269₾704
$121₹11.6K
121.55%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,154₾13.5K
$3,310₹315.7K
55.72%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Karad
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.1₾202
$29.06₹2,771
165.35%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.48₾114
$30.87₹2,944
40.85%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾310
$54.8₹5,230
115.85%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113₾295
$39.58₹3,775
184.84%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Karad
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$709₾1,856
$123₹11.8K
475.53%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$465₾1,215
$75.9₹7,242
511.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,316₾3,442
$276₹26.4K
376.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$767₾2,007
$177₹16.9K
332.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,492₾6,522
$896₹85.4K
178.28%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,442₾3,773
$489₹46.7K
194.73%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Karad
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$663₾1,735
-
-
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: July 25, 2026
Last update for Karad: July 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $709 in Tbilisi and $123 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 $204 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 in Karad?
Tbilisi and Karad differ by about 143% in total monthly costs ($1,191 vs $490 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 $1,787 in Tbilisi and $736 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 in Karad?
Rent for a central apartment: $709 in Tbilisi versus $123 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 $1,191 per month in Tbilisi versus $490 in Karad – a 143% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Tbilisi and in 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 $490 in Karad versus $1,191 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 143% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.