Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Lugoj Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Lugoj

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,247 in Tbilisi versus $827 in Lugoj.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,025 in Tbilisi versus $1,272 in Lugoj.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,803 in Tbilisi versus $1,717 in Lugoj.

Living in Tbilisi is roughly 51% more expensive than in Lugoj, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi 9% lower, Lugoj 40% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Lugoj
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.33 ₾29.44
$10.14 RON 46.45
11.74%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.71 ₾101
$35.09 RON 161
10.32%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.52 ₾24.72
$5.35 RON 24.49
77.94%
Cappuccino
$3.41 ₾8.85
$1.93 RON 8.82
76.68%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04 ₾2.71
$1.63 RON 7.48
-36.20%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64 ₾1.66
$1.50 RON 6.86
-57.33%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.61 ₾6.79
$2.18 RON 10.01
19.72%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24 ₾8.43
$2.12 RON 9.72
52.83%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Lugoj
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.17 ₾5.65
$1.75 RON 8.00
24.00%
White Bread (500g)
$0.74 ₾1.92
$0.97 RON 4.46
-23.71%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.71 ₾4.45
$0.65 RON 2.96
163.08%
Eggs
$2.83 ₾7.36
$1.35 RON 6.17
109.63%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.22 ₾23.94
$3.59 RON 16.44
156.82%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.76 ₾17.55
$4.06 RON 18.60
66.50%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.77 ₾33.16
$4.46 RON 20.44
186.32%
Apples (1kg)
$1.64 ₾4.26
$1.08 RON 4.95
51.85%
Banana (1kg)
$1.77 ₾4.60
$1.34 RON 6.14
32.09%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.87 ₾4.85
$1.80 RON 8.23
3.89%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.44 ₾6.34
$0.64 RON 2.95
281.25%
Potato (1kg)
$0.87 ₾2.25
$0.64 RON 2.93
35.94%
Onion (1kg)
$0.65 ₾1.70
$0.68 RON 3.12
-4.41%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.40 ₾3.63
$1.01 RON 4.62
38.61%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74 ₾1.93
$0.65 RON 2.97
13.85%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.41 ₾8.86
$5.09 RON 23.32
-33.01%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.60 ₾19.75
$4.30 RON 19.70
76.74%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70 ₾4.41
$1.34 RON 6.13
26.87%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38 ₾6.19
$1.81 RON 8.27
31.49%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Lugoj
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.36 ₾0.94
$0.63 RON 2.91
-42.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$15.24 ₾39.59
$22.13 RON 101
-31.13%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.18 ₾3.07
$0.96 RON 4.40
22.92%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.76 ₾1.97
$1.01 RON 4.65
-24.75%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.34 ₾29.46
$8.82 RON 40.38
28.57%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.33 ₾3.46
$1.97 RON 9.03
-32.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7K ₾64.2K
$29.8K RON 136.5K
-17.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0K ₾57.2K
$25.6K RON 117.4K
-14.07%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Lugoj
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$88.9 ₾231
$53.9 RON 247
65.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.33 ₾34.62
$8.69 RON 39.82
53.39%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12 ₾52.3
$10.10 RON 46.25
99.21%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Lugoj
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$68.7 ₾178
$22.04 RON 101
211.57%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.09 ₾46.99
$26.58 RON 122
-31.94%
Cinema Ticket
$6.72 ₾17.45
$9.86 RON 45.19
-31.85%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Lugoj
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$374 ₾970
$618 RON 2,831
-39.55%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.7K ₾27.8K
$10.1K RON 46.4K
5.54%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Lugoj
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$101 ₾263
$94.8 RON 434
6.75%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.33 ₾102
$47.73 RON 219
-17.60%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$118 ₾305
$105 RON 482
11.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122 ₾318
$113 RON 516
8.56%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Lugoj
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$682 ₾1,772
$191 RON 877
256.54%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$456 ₾1,186
$221 RON 1,013
106.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,303 ₾3,384
$334 RON 1,529
290.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$899 ₾2,336
$328 RON 1,502
174.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,449 ₾6,363
$1,371 RON 6,281
78.65%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,452 ₾3,773
$1,082 RON 4,955
34.27%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Lugoj
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$652 ₾1,694
$960 RON 4,398
-32.05%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12.62
6.8
85.59%

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

Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026

Last update for Lugoj: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $682 in Tbilisi and $191 in Lugoj. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Lugoj pays 47% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $39.00 in Tbilisi vs $35.00 in Lugoj for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $232 vs $137 per month, with Lugoj 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 Lugoj: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tbilisi and in Lugoj?
Tbilisi and Lugoj differ by about 51% in total monthly costs ($1,247 vs $827 including rent). Lugoj is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 47% lower in Lugoj. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Tbilisi and in Lugoj?
Rent for a central apartment: $682 in Tbilisi versus $191 in Lugoj. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Tbilisi or Lugoj?
All in, you'll spend $1,247 per month in Tbilisi versus $827 in Lugoj – a 51% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Tbilisi and in Lugoj?
A monthly transit pass in Lugoj runs roughly 45% less than in Tbilisi. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $827 in Lugoj versus $1,247 in Tbilisi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Lugoj but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Lugoj the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Lugoj?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Tbilisi or Lugoj safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Lugoj are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Tbilisi or Lugoj?
Expats usually find Lugoj gentler on the wallet – expenses run 51% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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