Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Kardzhali

For one person, living is cheaper in Kardzhali: $651 a month against $1,269 in Tbilisi, rent and utilities included – about $7,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Tbilisi, Georgia
Kardzhali, Bulgaria
Tbilisi
🇬🇪 Georgia
$1,269
/mo nomad
Kardzhali
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
$651
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Tbilisi and in Kardzhali

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Tbilisi and in Kardzhali actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,269 per month in Tbilisi vs $651 in Kardzhali, rent included.

  • Tbilisi $1,269
  • Kardzhali $651

A couple spends around $2,016 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,068 in Kardzhali, rent included.

  • Tbilisi $2,016
  • Kardzhali $1,068

A family of three spends $2,763 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,484 in Kardzhali, rent included.

  • Tbilisi $2,763
  • Kardzhali $1,484

Tbilisi costs about 95% more than Kardzhali, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Both Tbilisi and Kardzhali are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi 7% lower, Kardzhali 52% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Kardzhali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.63 ₾30.07
$11.02 BGN 19.28
5.54%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.83 ₾97.8
$23.11 BGN 40.45
63.70%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.66 ₾24.98
$8.87 BGN 15.52
8.91%
Cappuccino
$3.57 ₾9.24
$1.12 BGN 1.96
218.75%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.08 ₾2.78
$1.06 BGN 1.85
1.89%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.56 ₾1.45
$0.74 BGN 1.29
-24.32%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.62 ₾6.78
$1.59 BGN 2.78
64.78%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.04 ₾7.85
$1.33 BGN 2.33
128.57%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Kardzhali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.17 ₾5.60
$1.69 BGN 2.96
28.40%
White Bread (500g)
$0.80 ₾2.06
$0.72 BGN 1.25
11.11%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.74 ₾4.51
$1.51 BGN 2.64
15.23%
Eggs
$2.83 ₾7.31
$2.83 BGN 4.95
-
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.31 ₾24.07
$10.21 BGN 17.87
-8.81%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.52 ₾16.85
$5.53 BGN 9.68
17.90%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.95 ₾33.50
$6.58 BGN 11.52
96.81%
Apples (1kg)
$1.68 ₾4.33
$0.84 BGN 1.47
100.00%
Banana (1kg)
$1.85 ₾4.79
$1.97 BGN 3.44
-6.09%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.97 ₾5.10
$1.87 BGN 3.28
5.35%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.42 ₾6.25
$2.20 BGN 3.85
10.00%
Potato (1kg)
$0.82 ₾2.11
$0.69 BGN 1.21
18.84%
Onion (1kg)
$0.74 ₾1.91
$1.31 BGN 2.29
-43.51%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.34 ₾3.47
$0.67 BGN 1.18
100.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.77 ₾2.00
$0.75 BGN 1.31
2.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.57 ₾9.24
$3.56 BGN 6.23
0.28%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.67 ₾19.83
$4.38 BGN 7.66
75.11%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70 ₾4.39
$1.00 BGN 1.75
70.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40 ₾6.21
$1.41 BGN 2.47
70.21%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Kardzhali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.40 ₾1.05
$0.55 BGN 0.96
-27.27%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$15.23 ₾39.38
$11.11 BGN 19.44
37.08%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.14 ₾2.95
$1.71 BGN 2.99
-33.33%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.78 ₾2.02
$0.71 BGN 1.23
9.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.83 ₾30.58
$5.44 BGN 9.52
117.46%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ₾3.75
$1.62 BGN 2.84
-10.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K ₾63.6K
$30.2K BGN 52.9K
-18.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.3K ₾57.8K
$24.0K BGN 42.1K
-7.12%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Kardzhali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$88.8 ₾230
$61.4 BGN 107
44.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.12 ₾33.93
$5.56 BGN 9.73
135.97%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.67 ₾50.9
$7.88 BGN 13.80
149.62%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Kardzhali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$64.1 ₾166
$22.90 BGN 40.08
179.69%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04 ₾49.24
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.12 ₾18.42
$8.76 BGN 15.33
-18.72%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Kardzhali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$375 ₾971
$230 BGN 402
63.55%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.5K ₾27.1K
$14.6K BGN 25.6K
-28.51%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Kardzhali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104 ₾268
$22.89 BGN 40.05
352.77%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.26 ₾102
$12.69 BGN 22.21
209.38%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$117 ₾303
$46.21 BGN 80.9
153.97%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122 ₾315
$74.9 BGN 131
62.52%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Kardzhali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$695 ₾1,798
$115 BGN 201
504.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$451 ₾1,167
$114 BGN 199
297.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,355 ₾3,504
$232 BGN 406
484.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$906 ₾2,343
$274 BGN 479
231.26%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,295 ₾5,934
$1,141 BGN 1,997
101.06%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,345 ₾3,478
$855 BGN 1,497
57.26%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Kardzhali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$664 ₾1,718
$1,287 BGN 2,251
-48.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12.62
3.25
288.31%

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

Last update for Tbilisi: October 27, 2026

Last update for Kardzhali: October 27, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
$451
Kardzhali
$114 74.8% $338
Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
$234
Kardzhali
$187 20.1% $47
Eating Out
Tbilisi
$191
Kardzhali
$146 23.4% $45
Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
$172
Kardzhali
$71 59% $101
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
$122
Kardzhali
$75 38.4% $47
Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
$78
Kardzhali
$40 48.4% $38
Getting Around
Tbilisi
$22
Kardzhali
$19 15.4% $3.4

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $695 in Tbilisi versus $115 in Kardzhali. 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 94% higher in Kardzhali, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $38 in Tbilisi versus $23 in Kardzhali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $234 vs $187 – making Kardzhali the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇬🇪 Tbilisi
🇧🇬 Kardzhali
🕒 Local time
13:19 1:19 PM
11:19 11:19 AM
2 h behind Tbilisi
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,241,700 Capital
49,421
💱 Currency
Bulgarian Lev BGN лв.
Exchange rates and currency converter

BGN, USD, EUR to GEL – Georgian Lari Converter

Georgian Lari exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 2.59 GEL (1 GEL = 0.387 USD). 1 EUR = 2.89 GEL (1 GEL = 0.347 EUR).

Bulgarian Lev exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 1.75 BGN (1 BGN = 0.571 USD). 1 EUR = 1.95 BGN (1 BGN = 0.512 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Tbilisi Kardzhali 1,610 km ≈ 2 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Tbilisi
  • Kardzhali

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Kardzhali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tbilisi or Kardzhali?
Tbilisi costs about 95% more than Kardzhali, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from clothing. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Tbilisi and in Kardzhali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,904 per month in Tbilisi and $976 in Kardzhali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Tbilisi or Kardzhali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kardzhali, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $115 there versus $695 in Tbilisi.
How much does it cost to live in Tbilisi compared to Kardzhali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,269 in Tbilisi and $651 in Kardzhali. That makes Kardzhali about 49% cheaper.
How expensive is transport in Tbilisi compared to Kardzhali?
Public transport costs about 27% less in Kardzhali. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Can you live on $800/month in Tbilisi or in Kardzhali?
A $800 monthly budget goes further in Kardzhali, where all-in costs run around $651, than in Tbilisi at $1,269. In Kardzhali it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tbilisi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Kardzhali – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Tbilisi compared to Kardzhali?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
For expats, Kardzhali is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 49% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

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