Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Lubumbashi

For one person, living is cheaper in Lubumbashi: $1,234 a month against $1,269 in Tbilisi, rent and utilities included – about $420 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Tbilisi outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Tbilisi, Georgia
Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Tbilisi
🇬🇪 Georgia
$1,269
/mo nomad
Lubumbashi
🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo
$1,234
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Tbilisi and in Lubumbashi

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 Lubumbashi actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,269 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,234 in Lubumbashi, rent included.

  • Tbilisi $1,269
  • Lubumbashi $1,234

A couple spends around $2,016 per month in Tbilisi vs $2,728 in Lubumbashi, rent included.

  • Tbilisi $2,016
  • Lubumbashi $2,728

A family of three spends $2,763 per month in Tbilisi vs $4,222 in Lubumbashi, rent included.

  • Tbilisi $2,763
  • Lubumbashi $4,222

Tbilisi costs about 3% more than Lubumbashi, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Both Tbilisi and Lubumbashi are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi 7% lower, Lubumbashi 9% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Lubumbashi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.63 ₾30.10
$10.07 CDF 22.8K
15.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.83 ₾97.9
$98.8 CDF 223.5K
-61.72%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.66 ₾25.01
$10.17 CDF 23.0K
-5.01%
Cappuccino
$3.57 ₾9.25
$4.11 CDF 9,288
-13.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.08 ₾2.78
$1.11 CDF 2,513
-2.70%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.56 ₾1.45
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.62 ₾6.79
$2.05 CDF 4,638
27.80%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.04 ₾7.86
$2.56 CDF 5,792
18.75%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Lubumbashi
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.17 ₾5.61
$2.01 CDF 4,555
7.96%
White Bread (500g)
$0.80 ₾2.06
$1.26 CDF 2,856
-36.51%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.74 ₾4.52
$3.07 CDF 6,935
-43.32%
Eggs
$2.83 ₾7.32
$2.18 CDF 4,920
29.82%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.31 ₾24.10
$15.28 CDF 34.6K
-39.07%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.52 ₾16.87
$7.69 CDF 17.4K
-15.21%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.95 ₾33.54
$15.45 CDF 34.9K
-16.18%
Apples (1kg)
$1.68 ₾4.34
$4.98 CDF 11.3K
-66.27%
Banana (1kg)
$1.85 ₾4.80
$2.99 CDF 6,753
-38.13%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.97 ₾5.11
$5.09 CDF 11.5K
-61.30%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.42 ₾6.26
$2.98 CDF 6,747
-18.79%
Potato (1kg)
$0.82 ₾2.12
$2.47 CDF 5,575
-66.80%
Onion (1kg)
$0.74 ₾1.91
$2.58 CDF 5,841
-71.32%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.34 ₾3.47
$0.98 CDF 2,226
36.73%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.77 ₾2.01
$1.23 CDF 2,792
-37.40%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.57 ₾9.25
$3.97 CDF 8,975
-10.08%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.67 ₾19.86
$12.37 CDF 28.0K
-38.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70 ₾4.39
$1.14 CDF 2,576
49.12%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40 ₾6.21
$2.06 CDF 4,656
16.50%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Lubumbashi
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.40 ₾1.05
$0.97 CDF 2,202
-58.76%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$15.23 ₾39.43
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.14 ₾2.95
$4.44 CDF 10.1K
-74.32%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.78 ₾2.02
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.83 ₾30.62
$10.17 CDF 23.0K
16.32%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ₾3.75
$1.53 CDF 3,455
-5.23%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K ₾63.6K
$25.4K CDF 57.3M
-3.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.3K ₾57.8K
$30.3K CDF 68.5M
-26.22%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Lubumbashi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$88.8 ₾230
$100 CDF 226.5K
-11.35%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.12 ₾33.98
$20.12 CDF 45.5K
-34.79%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.67 ₾50.9
$59.6 CDF 134.8K
-67.00%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Lubumbashi
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$64.1 ₾166
$72.7 CDF 164.4K
-11.87%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04 ₾49.30
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.12 ₾18.44
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Lubumbashi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$375 ₾972
$135 CDF 304.7K
178.67%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.5K ₾27.1K
$4,520 CDF 10.2M
131.63%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Lubumbashi
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104 ₾268
$22.06 CDF 49.9K
369.81%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.26 ₾102
$22.22 CDF 50.2K
76.69%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$117 ₾304
$60.6 CDF 137.1K
93.57%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122 ₾315
$85.5 CDF 193.4K
42.34%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Lubumbashi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$695 ₾1,800
$862 CDF 1.9M
-19.33%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$451 ₾1,168
$379 CDF 856.9K
19.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,355 ₾3,508
$2,528 CDF 5.7M
-46.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$906 ₾2,346
$2,040 CDF 4.6M
-55.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,295 ₾5,942
$999 CDF 2.3M
129.82%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,345 ₾3,482
$509 CDF 1.2M
164.15%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Lubumbashi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$664 ₾1,720
$1,050 CDF 2.4M
-36.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12.62
0
-

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

Last update for Tbilisi: October 27, 2026

Last update for Lubumbashi: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
$451
Lubumbashi
$379 16% $72
Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
$234
Lubumbashi
$328 40.3% $94
Eating Out
Tbilisi
$191
Lubumbashi
$180 * 5.5% $10
Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
$172
Lubumbashi
$86 50.1% $86
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
$122
Lubumbashi
$180 47.9% $58
Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
$78
Lubumbashi
$73 * 7.2% $5.6
Getting Around
Tbilisi
$22
Lubumbashi
$8.3 * 61.9% $14

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $695 in Tbilisi versus $862 in Lubumbashi. 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 58% higher in Lubumbashi, 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 $99 in Lubumbashi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $234 vs $328 – making Tbilisi the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇬🇪 Tbilisi
🇨🇩 Lubumbashi
🕒 Local time
17:55 5:55 PM
15:55 3:55 PM
2 h behind Tbilisi
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,241,700 Capital
1,139,064
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

CDF, USD, EUR to GEL – Georgian Lari Converter

Georgian Lari exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 2.59 GEL (1 GEL = 0.386 USD). 1 EUR = 2.89 GEL (1 GEL = 0.346 EUR).

Congolese Franc exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 2,262 CDF (10,000 CDF = 4.42 USD). 1 EUR = 2,524 CDF (10,000 CDF = 3.96 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Tbilisi Lubumbashi 6,190 km ≈ 8 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Tbilisi
  • Lubumbashi

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 Lubumbashi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Tbilisi and in Lubumbashi compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,269 in Tbilisi, $1,234 in Lubumbashi – Lubumbashi comes out roughly 3% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in clothing.
What salary covers living expenses in Tbilisi compared to Lubumbashi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,904 per month in Tbilisi and $1,851 in Lubumbashi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Tbilisi and Lubumbashi?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Tbilisi, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $695 there versus $862 in Lubumbashi.
Which city is more expensive overall: Tbilisi or Lubumbashi?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,269 in Tbilisi and $1,234 in Lubumbashi. That makes Lubumbashi about 3% cheaper.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Tbilisi and Lubumbashi?
Kindergarten costs $375 per month in Tbilisi and $135 in Lubumbashi. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How far does $2,000 go in Tbilisi compared to Lubumbashi?
$2,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $1,269 in Tbilisi and $1,234 in Lubumbashi, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Lubumbashi?
It depends on your priorities. Tbilisi has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,234 in Lubumbashi to $1,269 in Tbilisi. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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