😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,247 in Tbilisi versus $644 in Makassar.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,025 in Tbilisi versus $980 in Makassar.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,803 in Tbilisi versus $1,317 in Makassar.
🌍Living in Tbilisi is roughly 94% more expensive than in Makassar, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi9% lower, Makassar53% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Makassar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.33₾29.45
$1.65Rp 29.3K
586.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.71₾101
$9.03Rp 159.8K
328.68%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.52₾24.73
$3.21Rp 56.9K
196.57%
Cappuccino
$3.41₾8.85
$1.99Rp 35.3K
71.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04₾2.71
$0.50Rp 8,874
108.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64₾1.66
$0.34Rp 6,003
88.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.61₾6.79
$2.59Rp 45.8K
0.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24₾8.43
$3.27Rp 58.0K
-0.92%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Makassar
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.17₾5.65
$1.62Rp 28.6K
33.95%
White Bread(500g)
$0.74₾1.92
$1.00Rp 17.7K
-26.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71₾4.45
$0.61Rp 10.8K
180.33%
Eggs
$2.83₾7.36
$1.50Rp 26.6K
88.67%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.22₾23.95
$6.60Rp 116.8K
39.70%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.76₾17.55
$3.51Rp 62.1K
92.59%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.77₾33.17
$5.28Rp 93.6K
141.86%
Apples(1kg)
$1.64₾4.26
$2.39Rp 42.3K
-31.38%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77₾4.60
$1.39Rp 24.7K
27.34%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87₾4.85
$1.94Rp 34.4K
-3.61%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.44₾6.34
$1.79Rp 31.6K
36.31%
Potato(1kg)
$0.87₾2.25
$1.14Rp 20.2K
-23.68%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65₾1.70
$1.60Rp 28.3K
-59.38%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40₾3.64
$0.80Rp 14.2K
75.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74₾1.93
$0.40Rp 7,020
85.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.41₾8.86
$2.69Rp 47.6K
26.77%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.60₾19.75
$22.97Rp 406.7K
-66.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70₾4.41
$1.84Rp 32.6K
-7.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38₾6.20
$2.30Rp 40.7K
3.48%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Makassar
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.94
$0.27Rp 4,734
33.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.24₾39.60
$4.35Rp 77.0K
250.34%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.18₾3.07
$0.51Rp 9,032
131.37%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.76₾1.97
$0.36Rp 6,314
111.11%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.34₾29.47
$2.89Rp 51.2K
292.39%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.33₾3.46
$0.79Rp 14.0K
68.35%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7K₾64.2K
$15.7KRp 277.8M
57.62%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0K₾57.2K
$16.9KRp 299.4M
30.25%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Makassar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.9₾231
$90.0Rp 1.6M
-1.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.33₾34.63
$2.61Rp 46.2K
410.73%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12₾52.3
$25.25Rp 447.2K
-20.32%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Makassar
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.7₾178
$21.32Rp 377.5K
222.09%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.09₾47.01
$23.06Rp 408.3K
-21.55%
Cinema Ticket
$6.72₾17.46
$3.50Rp 62.0K
92.00%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Makassar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$374₾971
$94.9Rp 1.7M
293.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7K₾27.8K
$3,893Rp 68.9M
174.78%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Makassar
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$101₾263
$27.74Rp 491.2K
264.85%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.33₾102
$24.02Rp 425.4K
63.74%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾305
$74.9Rp 1.3M
56.99%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122₾318
$40.90Rp 724.2K
199.02%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Makassar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$682₾1,773
$195Rp 3.4M
250.35%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$456₾1,186
$152Rp 2.7M
200.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,303₾3,385
$403Rp 7.1M
222.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$899₾2,337
$313Rp 5.5M
186.98%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,449₾6,365
$1,438Rp 25.5M
70.28%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,452₾3,774
$572Rp 10.1M
153.96%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Makassar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$652₾1,695
$218Rp 3.9M
199.21%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.62
6
110.33%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026
Last update for Makassar: September 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $682 in Tbilisi and $195 in Makassar. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Tbilisi pays 199% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $39.00 in Tbilisi vs $9.00 in Makassar for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $232 vs $199 per month, with Makassar 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 Makassar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tbilisi or Makassar?
Makassar wins on cost – living expenses run 94% lower than in Tbilisi. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Makassar the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Tbilisi or in Makassar?
Average pay runs 199% higher in Tbilisi, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Tbilisi compared to Makassar?
Rent for a central apartment: $682 in Tbilisi versus $195 in Makassar. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Tbilisi compared to Makassar?
A monthly transit pass in Makassar runs roughly 250% less than in Tbilisi. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Tbilisi and in Makassar?
Childcare runs $374 in Tbilisi versus $94.9 in Makassar. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Tbilisi or in Makassar?
At $644 in Makassar versus $1,247 in Tbilisi, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Makassar but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Makassar the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Tbilisi or Makassar?
Both work as nomad bases, but Makassar delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $644 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Makassar hard to pass up.
How safe is Tbilisi compared to Makassar?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Makassar 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 Makassar gentler on the wallet – expenses run 94% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.