Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Lubumbashi Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Lubumbashi

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,247 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,246 in Lubumbashi, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,025 per month in Tbilisi vs $2,722 in Lubumbashi, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,803 per month in Tbilisi vs $4,197 in Lubumbashi, rent included.

Tbilisi and Lubumbashi have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.33 ₾29.45

$10.06 CDF 22.8K

12.62%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$38.71 ₾101

$101 CDF 230.1K

-61.81%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.52 ₾24.73

$9.95 CDF 22.6K

-4.32%

Cappuccino

$3.41 ₾8.85

$4.08 CDF 9,263

-16.42%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.04 ₾2.71

$1.08 CDF 2,446

-3.70%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.64 ₾1.66

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.61 ₾6.79

$1.96 CDF 4,456

33.16%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.24 ₾8.43

$2.43 CDF 5,510

33.33%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.17 ₾5.65

$1.98 CDF 4,487

9.60%

White Bread (500g)

$0.74 ₾1.92

$1.23 CDF 2,785

-39.84%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.71 ₾4.45

$3.08 CDF 7,003

-44.48%

Eggs

$2.83 ₾7.36

$2.08 CDF 4,720

36.06%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.22 ₾23.95

$15.18 CDF 34.5K

-39.26%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.76 ₾17.55

$7.66 CDF 17.4K

-11.75%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.77 ₾33.17

$15.64 CDF 35.5K

-18.35%

Apples (1kg)

$1.64 ₾4.26

$4.75 CDF 10.8K

-65.47%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 ₾4.60

$3.04 CDF 6,891

-41.78%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.87 ₾4.85

$4.90 CDF 11.1K

-61.84%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.44 ₾6.34

$3.05 CDF 6,919

-20.00%

Potato (1kg)

$0.87 ₾2.25

$2.48 CDF 5,630

-64.92%

Onion (1kg)

$0.65 ₾1.70

$2.66 CDF 6,039

-75.56%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.40 ₾3.64

$0.98 CDF 2,214

42.86%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.74 ₾1.93

$1.22 CDF 2,763

-39.34%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.41 ₾8.86

$3.89 CDF 8,821

-12.34%

Wine (Bottle)

$7.60 ₾19.75

$12.30 CDF 27.9K

-38.21%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.70 ₾4.41

$1.16 CDF 2,632

46.55%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.38 ₾6.20

$2.14 CDF 4,859

11.21%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.36 ₾0.94

$1.02 CDF 2,318

-64.71%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$15.24 ₾39.60

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.18 ₾3.07

$4.59 CDF 10.4K

-74.29%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.76 ₾1.97

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.34 ₾29.47

$10.19 CDF 23.1K

11.29%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.33 ₾3.46

$1.51 CDF 3,435

-11.92%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$24.7K ₾64.2K

$25.0K CDF 56.7M

-1.04%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$22.0K ₾57.2K

$30.2K CDF 68.6M

-27.13%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$88.9 ₾231

$99.7 CDF 226.4K

-10.91%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$13.33 ₾34.63

$19.86 CDF 45.1K

-32.88%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.12 ₾52.3

$60.8 CDF 138.1K

-66.93%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$68.7 ₾178

$72.4 CDF 164.3K

-5.13%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.09 ₾47.01

Cinema Ticket

$6.72 ₾17.46

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$374 ₾971

$135 CDF 305.4K

177.73%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.7K ₾27.8K

$4,538 CDF 10.3M

135.75%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$101 ₾263

$22.35 CDF 50.7K

352.84%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.33 ₾102

$22.06 CDF 50.1K

78.29%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$118 ₾305

$59.7 CDF 135.5K

96.92%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$122 ₾318

$83.5 CDF 189.5K

46.48%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$682 ₾1,773

$838 CDF 1.9M

-18.60%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$456 ₾1,186

$374 CDF 849.2K

22.04%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,303 ₾3,385

$2,547 CDF 5.8M

-48.85%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$899 ₾2,337

$2,084 CDF 4.7M

-56.84%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,449 ₾6,365

$1,002 CDF 2.3M

144.43%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,452 ₾3,774

$504 CDF 1.1M

188.03%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$652 ₾1,695

$1,069 CDF 2.4M

-39.00%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.62

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

Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026

Last update for Lubumbashi: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $682 in Tbilisi versus $838 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 64% higher in Lubumbashi. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $39.00 in Tbilisi versus $101 in Lubumbashi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $232 vs $326 – making Tbilisi 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 Lubumbashi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,870 per month in Tbilisi and $1,869 in Lubumbashi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Lubumbashi, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $374 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.

Interestingly, groceries are about 40% cheaper in Tbilisi – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Lubumbashi, where all-in costs run around $1,246, than in Tbilisi at $1,247. In Lubumbashi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tbilisi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Tbilisi has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,246 in Lubumbashi to $1,247 in Tbilisi. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Lubumbashi. 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.