😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,209 in Tbilisi versus $828 in Kunming, Yunnan.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,867 in Tbilisi versus $1,268 in Kunming, Yunnan.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,526 in Tbilisi versus $1,708 in Kunming, Yunnan.
😐Living in Tbilisi is roughly 46% more expensive than Kunming, Yunnan, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi10% lower, Kunming, Yunnan38% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Kunming, Yunnan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.80₾28.70
$2.75¥18.65
292.73%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.18₾115
$28.34¥192
52.36%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.29₾22.03
$6.86¥46.44
20.85%
Cappuccino
$3.00₾7.96
$3.11¥21.06
-3.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.82₾2.17
$0.44¥2.97
86.36%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46₾1.21
$0.25¥1.68
84.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.23₾5.93
$1.41¥9.57
58.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92₾7.75
$2.04¥13.78
43.14%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Kunming, Yunnan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.93₾5.11
$2.01¥13.59
-3.98%
White Bread(500g)
$0.68₾1.81
$1.72¥11.62
-60.47%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.88₾4.99
$1.34¥9.08
40.30%
Eggs
$2.54₾6.73
$1.78¥12.08
42.70%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.42₾19.70
$7.00¥47.40
6.00%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.19₾16.43
$4.12¥27.91
50.24%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.36₾24.86
$11.01¥74.5
-14.99%
Apples(1kg)
$1.22₾3.25
$1.26¥8.55
-3.17%
Banana(1kg)
$1.66₾4.40
$0.92¥6.21
80.43%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.80₾4.78
$1.38¥9.33
30.43%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.24₾5.96
$1.09¥7.35
105.50%
Potato(1kg)
$0.71₾1.89
$0.34¥2.27
108.82%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67₾1.79
$0.82¥5.55
-18.29%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18₾3.13
$1.52¥10.27
-22.37%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66₾1.76
$0.57¥3.88
15.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.98₾7.91
$2.04¥13.81
46.08%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.61₾20.21
$6.53¥44.22
16.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54₾4.08
$0.72¥4.87
113.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25₾5.98
$1.51¥10.22
49.01%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Kunming, Yunnan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.95
$0.64¥4.35
-43.75%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.44₾38.36
$34.21¥232
-57.79%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.49₾3.96
$1.09¥7.36
36.70%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.68₾1.82
$0.28¥1.90
142.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.23₾19.19
$13.66¥92.5
-47.07%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14₾3.04
$1.12¥7.58
1.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.5K₾49.0K
$20.4K¥137.9K
-9.42%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.0K₾53.0K
$17.5K¥118.5K
14.06%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Kunming, Yunnan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.7₾196
$51.7¥350
42.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.64₾30.91
$15.25¥103
-23.67%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.84₾47.39
$16.27¥110
9.65%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Kunming, Yunnan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.1₾160
$68.6¥465
-12.40%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.80₾44.63
$26.45¥179
-36.48%
Cinema Ticket
$6.60₾17.54
$6.46¥43.69
2.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Kunming, Yunnan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$266₾708
$426¥2,884
-37.47%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,191₾13.8K
$13.0K¥87.7K
-59.92%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Kunming, Yunnan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.7₾206
$71.0¥480
9.45%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.75₾119
$33.49¥227
33.62%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$117₾310
$63.6¥431
83.55%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113₾300
$105¥710
7.57%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Kunming, Yunnan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$693₾1,839
$279¥1,891
147.89%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$462₾1,226
$206¥1,397
123.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,320₾3,505
$515¥3,485
156.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$774₾2,056
$353¥2,387
119.49%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,430₾6,455
$3,020¥20.4K
-19.51%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,446₾3,840
$1,303¥8,817
11.00%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Kunming, Yunnan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$673₾1,787
$843¥5,708
-20.22%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
4.45
167.19%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: May 31, 2026
Last update for Kunming, Yunnan: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $693 in Tbilisi and $279 in Kunming, Yunnan. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Kunming, Yunnan pays 25% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $43.00 in Tbilisi vs $28.00 in Kunming, Yunnan for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $203 vs $182 per month, with Kunming, Yunnan 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 Kunming, Yunnan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tbilisi or Kunming, Yunnan?
Kunming, Yunnan wins on cost – living expenses run 46% lower than in Tbilisi. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Kunming, Yunnan the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Tbilisi or Kunming, Yunnan?
On paper, Kunming, Yunnan earns 25% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Tbilisi vs Kunming, Yunnan?
Rent for a central apartment: $693 in Tbilisi versus $279 in Kunming, Yunnan. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do dining costs compare in Tbilisi vs Kunming, Yunnan?
Dining out is cheaper in Kunming, Yunnan – a meal for two runs $28.00 versus $43.00 in Tbilisi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How much does it cost to live in Tbilisi compared to Kunming, Yunnan?
All in, you'll spend $1,209 per month in Tbilisi versus $828 in Kunming, Yunnan – a 46% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Tbilisi or Kunming, Yunnan?
At $828 in Kunming, Yunnan versus $1,209 in Tbilisi, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Kunming, Yunnan but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Kunming, Yunnan the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Tbilisi or Kunming, Yunnan?
Both work as nomad bases, but Kunming, Yunnan delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $828 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Kunming, Yunnan hard to pass up.
How safe is Tbilisi compared to Kunming, Yunnan?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Kunming, Yunnan are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Kunming, Yunnan gentler on the wallet – expenses run 46% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.