😐A single person spends $1,247 per month in Tbilisi vs $710 in Kota Bharu, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,025 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,067 in Kota Bharu, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,803 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,423 in Kota Bharu, rent included.
😐Tbilisi costs about 76% more than Kota Bharu, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Tbilisi and Kota Bharu are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi9% lower, Kota Bharu48% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Kota Bharu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.33₾29.44
$2.27MYR 9.28
399.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.71₾101
$15.02MYR 61.5
157.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.52₾24.72
$4.87MYR 19.92
95.48%
Cappuccino
$3.41₾8.85
$2.11MYR 8.62
61.61%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04₾2.71
$0.47MYR 1.92
121.28%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64₾1.66
$0.28MYR 1.15
128.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.61₾6.79
$2.42MYR 9.91
7.85%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24₾8.43
$4.30MYR 17.61
-24.65%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Kota Bharu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.17₾5.65
$1.57MYR 6.44
38.22%
White Bread(500g)
$0.74₾1.92
$0.87MYR 3.55
-14.94%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71₾4.45
$0.82MYR 3.37
108.54%
Eggs
$2.83₾7.36
$1.56MYR 6.38
81.41%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.22₾23.95
$15.33MYR 62.8
-39.86%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.76₾17.55
$2.98MYR 12.21
126.85%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.77₾33.17
$6.59MYR 26.99
93.78%
Apples(1kg)
$1.64₾4.26
$2.45MYR 10.01
-33.06%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77₾4.60
$1.49MYR 6.11
18.79%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87₾4.85
$2.33MYR 9.53
-19.74%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.44₾6.34
$1.09MYR 4.46
123.85%
Potato(1kg)
$0.87₾2.25
$0.93MYR 3.82
-6.45%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65₾1.70
$0.84MYR 3.44
-22.62%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40₾3.64
$0.78MYR 3.17
79.49%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74₾1.93
$0.48MYR 1.98
54.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.41₾8.86
$3.40MYR 13.94
0.29%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.60₾19.75
$21.50MYR 88.0
-64.65%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70₾4.41
$2.50MYR 10.25
-32.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38₾6.20
$3.61MYR 14.76
-34.07%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Kota Bharu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.94
$0.76MYR 3.12
-52.63%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.24₾39.60
$12.12MYR 49.63
25.74%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.18₾3.07
$1.21MYR 4.96
-2.48%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.76₾1.97
$0.50MYR 2.06
52.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.34₾29.46
$3.78MYR 15.49
200.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.33₾3.46
$0.52MYR 2.14
155.77%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7K₾64.2K
$31.5KMYR 128.8K
-21.42%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0K₾57.2K
$28.5KMYR 116.6K
-22.67%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Kota Bharu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.9₾231
$50.2MYR 206
76.98%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.33₾34.63
$8.12MYR 33.23
64.16%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12₾52.3
$27.57MYR 113
-27.02%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Kota Bharu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.7₾178
$49.13MYR 201
39.77%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.09₾47.00
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.72₾17.45
$4.40MYR 17.99
52.73%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Kota Bharu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$374₾971
$124MYR 509
200.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7K₾27.8K
$5,033MYR 20.6K
112.56%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Kota Bharu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$101₾263
$54.6MYR 223
85.37%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.33₾102
$19.45MYR 79.6
102.21%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾305
$73.5MYR 301
59.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122₾318
$85.4MYR 350
43.14%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Kota Bharu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$682₾1,773
$247MYR 1,012
176.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$456₾1,186
$122MYR 500
273.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,303₾3,384
$695MYR 2,843
87.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$899₾2,337
$218MYR 891
313.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,449₾6,364
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,452₾3,773
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Kota Bharu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$652₾1,695
$291MYR 1,189
124.48%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.62
4.43
184.88%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026
Last update for Kota Bharu: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $682 in Tbilisi versus $247 in Kota Bharu. 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 124% higher in Tbilisi, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $39.00 in Tbilisi versus $15.00 in Kota Bharu. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $232 vs $227 – making Kota Bharu 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 Kota Bharu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tbilisi or Kota Bharu?
Tbilisi costs about 76% more than Kota Bharu, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. 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 Kota Bharu?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,870 per month in Tbilisi and $1,065 in Kota Bharu. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Tbilisi or Kota Bharu?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kota Bharu, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How expensive is transport in Tbilisi compared to Kota Bharu?
Public transport costs about 26% less in Kota Bharu. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Tbilisi and in Kota Bharu?
Kindergarten costs $374 per month in Tbilisi and $124 in Kota Bharu. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Tbilisi or in Kota Bharu?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Kota Bharu, where all-in costs run around $710, than in Tbilisi at $1,247. In Kota Bharu it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tbilisi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Tbilisi or Kota Bharu?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Kota Bharu costs $710 versus $1,247 in Tbilisi. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Tbilisi compared to Kota Bharu?
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.
Should I move to Tbilisi or to Kota Bharu?
If budget matters most, go with Kota Bharu. 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.