😐A single person spends $1,286 per month in Tbilisi vs $528 in Kelachay, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,044 per month in Tbilisi vs $836 in Kelachay, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,802 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,144 in Kelachay, rent included.
😐Tbilisi costs about 144% more than Kelachay, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Tbilisi and Kelachay are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi6% lower, Kelachay62% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Kelachay
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.72₾30.55
$3.28$3.28
257.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.88₾98.8
$15.97$15.97
137.19%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.74₾25.41
$3.95$3.95
146.58%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$0.82$0.82
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.15$1.15
-
Cappuccino
$3.41₾8.90
$1.02$1.02
234.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.06₾2.76
$0.53$0.53
100.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65₾1.69
$0.87$0.87
-25.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.70₾7.05
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10₾8.08
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Kelachay
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.20₾5.73
$0.68$0.68
223.53%
White Bread(500g)
$0.81₾2.10
$0.49$0.49
65.31%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.64₾4.26
$1.99$1.99
-17.59%
Eggs
$2.75₾7.18
$1.19$1.19
131.09%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.01₾23.50
$3.62$3.62
148.90%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.55₾17.09
$3.18$3.18
105.97%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.62₾32.91
$9.99$9.99
26.33%
Apples(1kg)
$1.67₾4.36
$0.97$0.97
72.16%
Banana(1kg)
$1.81₾4.73
$1.53$1.53
18.30%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93₾5.03
$0.81$0.81
138.27%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.59₾6.76
$0.60$0.60
331.67%
Potato(1kg)
$0.87₾2.26
$0.51$0.51
70.59%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65₾1.68
$0.48$0.48
35.42%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.39₾3.63
$0.55$0.55
152.73%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80₾2.08
$0.22$0.22
263.64%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$0.59$0.59
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.51$0.51
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.38$1.38
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.36₾8.78
$2.37$2.37
41.77%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.54₾19.66
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.61₾4.21
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25₾5.86
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Kelachay
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.37₾0.96
$0.20$0.20
85.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.11₾39.41
$6.82$6.82
121.55%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.17₾3.05
$0.38$0.38
207.89%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.80₾2.09
$0.26$0.26
207.69%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.33₾29.55
$2.11$2.11
436.97%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.33₾3.47
$0.10$0.10
1230.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.0K₾65.2K
$48.8K$48.8K
-48.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.4K₾58.4K
$42.8K$42.8K
-47.72%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Kelachay
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$89.1₾232
$14.69$14.69
506.60%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.25₾34.55
$1.52$1.52
771.71%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.46₾50.8
$3.20$3.20
508.13%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Kelachay
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.4₾178
$18.13$18.13
277.39%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.68₾48.73
$14.95$14.95
24.95%
Cinema Ticket
$6.63₾17.30
$2.30$2.30
188.26%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Kelachay
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$363₾948
$92.1$92.1
294.75%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7K₾27.8K
$1,423$1,423
649.19%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Kelachay
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104₾270
$20.92$20.92
394.79%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.84₾101
$27.99$27.99
38.76%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$117₾304
$106$106
10.30%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123₾320
$65.5$65.5
87.32%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Kelachay
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$682₾1,780
$248$248
175.25%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$447₾1,165
$208$208
114.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,284₾3,349
$706$706
81.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$920₾2,399
$289$289
218.14%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,487₾6,486
$1,185$1,185
109.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,423₾3,711
$569$569
149.94%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Kelachay
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$646₾1,684
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.73
23.21
-45.15%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: August 31, 2026
Last update for Kelachay: August 29, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $682 in Tbilisi versus $248 in Kelachay. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $38.00 in Tbilisi versus $16.00 in Kelachay. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $232 vs $109 – making Kelachay the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Kelachay: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kelachay cheaper than Tbilisi?
Yes – Tbilisi is pricier by about 144%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,929 per month in Tbilisi and $792 in Kelachay. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kelachay, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
Public transport costs about 122% less in Kelachay. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $363 per month in Tbilisi and $92.1 in Kelachay. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Tbilisi or in Kelachay?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Kelachay, where all-in costs run around $528, than in Tbilisi at $1,286. In Kelachay it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tbilisi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Tbilisi or Kelachay more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Kelachay – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Tbilisi or Kelachay?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Kelachay. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Tbilisi makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.