😐A single person spends $1,209 per month in Tbilisi vs $805 in Kutaisi, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,867 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,216 in Kutaisi, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,526 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,627 in Kutaisi, rent included.
😐Tbilisi costs about 50% more than Kutaisi, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Tbilisi and Kutaisi are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi10% lower, Kutaisi40% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Kutaisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.80₾28.71
$9.19₾24.42
17.52%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.18₾115
$29.49₾78.4
46.42%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.29₾22.04
$8.99₾23.88
-7.79%
Cappuccino
$3.00₾7.97
$1.77₾4.70
69.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.82₾2.17
$0.63₾1.67
30.16%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46₾1.21
$0.44₾1.16
4.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.23₾5.93
$1.09₾2.90
104.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92₾7.75
$1.79₾4.77
63.13%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Kutaisi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.93₾5.12
$1.94₾5.14
-0.52%
White Bread(500g)
$0.68₾1.81
$0.43₾1.14
58.14%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.88₾5.00
$1.09₾2.91
72.48%
Eggs
$2.54₾6.74
$2.24₾5.95
13.39%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.42₾19.70
$6.37₾16.94
16.48%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.19₾16.44
$4.79₾12.73
29.23%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.36₾24.87
$9.98₾26.53
-6.21%
Apples(1kg)
$1.22₾3.25
$1.22₾3.24
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.66₾4.40
$1.55₾4.11
7.10%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.80₾4.78
$1.37₾3.64
31.39%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.24₾5.96
$1.50₾3.98
49.33%
Potato(1kg)
$0.71₾1.89
$0.71₾1.89
-
Onion(1kg)
$0.67₾1.79
$0.76₾2.02
-11.84%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18₾3.13
$1.08₾2.87
9.26%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66₾1.76
$0.53₾1.41
24.53%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.98₾7.91
$2.94₾7.82
1.36%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.61₾20.22
$3.79₾10.06
100.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54₾4.08
$1.22₾3.23
26.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25₾5.99
$1.96₾5.21
14.80%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Kutaisi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.95
$0.34₾0.91
5.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.44₾38.38
$16.65₾44.24
-13.27%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.49₾3.97
$0.71₾1.90
109.86%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.68₾1.82
$0.70₾1.86
-2.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.23₾19.20
$6.35₾16.86
13.86%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14₾3.04
$1.10₾2.91
3.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.5K₾49.1K
$21.6K₾57.3K
-14.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.0K₾53.1K
$24.0K₾63.9K
-16.96%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Kutaisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.7₾196
$65.7₾174
12.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.64₾30.92
$7.01₾18.62
66.05%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.84₾47.41
$13.63₾36.22
30.89%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Kutaisi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.1₾160
$37.78₾100
59.16%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.80₾44.65
$7.89₾20.96
112.93%
Cinema Ticket
$6.60₾17.55
$4.97₾13.21
32.80%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Kutaisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$266₾708
$123₾327
116.84%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,191₾13.8K
$2,550₾6,776
103.57%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Kutaisi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.7₾206
$40.03₾106
94.10%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.75₾119
$33.37₾88.7
34.10%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$117₾310
$87.1₾231
34.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113₾300
$89.2₾237
26.55%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Kutaisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$693₾1,840
$300₾796
131.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$462₾1,227
$243₾645
90.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,320₾3,507
$469₾1,246
181.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$774₾2,057
$326₾867
137.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,430₾6,458
$1,074₾2,854
126.31%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,446₾3,842
$682₾1,813
111.90%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Kutaisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$673₾1,788
$455₾1,208
47.97%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
14.75
-19.39%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: May 31, 2026
Last update for Kutaisi: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $693 in Tbilisi versus $300 in Kutaisi. 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 48% 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 $43.00 in Tbilisi versus $29.00 in Kutaisi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $203 vs $170 – making Kutaisi 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 Kutaisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Tbilisi and Kutaisi compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,209 in Tbilisi, $805 in Kutaisi – roughly 50% apart. Tbilisi costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Tbilisi compared to Kutaisi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,813 per month in Tbilisi and $1,207 in Kutaisi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Tbilisi and Kutaisi?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kutaisi, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 19% more in Tbilisi, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $43.00 in Tbilisi and $29.00 in Kutaisi. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Kutaisi, where all-in costs run around $805, than in Tbilisi at $1,209. In Kutaisi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tbilisi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Kutaisi?
It depends on your priorities. Tbilisi has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $805 in Kutaisi to $1,209 in Tbilisi. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Tbilisi or Kutaisi safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Tbilisi and Kutaisi?
If budget matters most, go with Kutaisi. 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.