😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,178 in Tbilisi versus $520 in Malayer.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,848 in Tbilisi versus $818 in Malayer.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,518 in Tbilisi versus $1,116 in Malayer.
😐Living in Tbilisi is roughly 127% more expensive than Malayer, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi12% lower, Malayer61% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Malayer
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.09₾29.35
$3.89$3.89
185.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.24₾114
$17.32$17.32
149.65%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.55₾22.63
$4.61$4.61
85.47%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$0.66$0.66
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.01$1.01
-
Cappuccino
$2.97₾7.86
$1.15$1.15
158.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76₾2.01
$0.42$0.42
80.95%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46₾1.22
$0.98$0.98
-53.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.22₾5.88
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92₾7.73
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Malayer
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.97₾5.21
$0.58$0.58
239.66%
White Bread(500g)
$0.73₾1.94
$0.53$0.53
37.74%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.82₾4.81
$1.91$1.91
-4.71%
Eggs
$2.49₾6.60
$1.19$1.19
109.24%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.66₾20.27
$3.48$3.48
120.11%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.27₾16.59
$3.17$3.17
97.79%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.50₾25.14
$10.10$10.10
-5.94%
Apples(1kg)
$1.23₾3.24
$0.85$0.85
44.71%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64₾4.33
$1.41$1.41
16.31%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87₾4.95
$0.86$0.86
117.44%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.27₾6.02
$0.58$0.58
291.38%
Potato(1kg)
$0.67₾1.77
$0.52$0.52
28.85%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67₾1.79
$0.49$0.49
36.73%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.22₾3.23
$0.56$0.56
117.86%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70₾1.85
$0.25$0.25
180.00%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$0.60$0.60
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.46$0.46
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.43$1.43
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.92₾7.73
$2.15$2.15
35.81%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.72₾20.42
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.55₾4.09
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22₾5.86
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Malayer
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.39₾1.02
$0.19$0.19
105.26%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.67₾38.81
$10.12$10.12
44.96%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44₾3.82
$0.36$0.36
300.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.69₾1.81
$0.27$0.27
155.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.37₾19.52
$1.96$1.96
276.02%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14₾3.03
$0.73$0.73
56.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.2K₾48.1K
$73.8K$73.8K
-75.38%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.4K₾54.1K
$55.2K$55.2K
-62.96%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Malayer
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.6₾195
$15.57$15.57
372.96%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.64₾30.80
$2.04$2.04
470.59%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.63₾46.65
$5.80$5.80
203.97%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Malayer
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.4₾162
$15.87$15.87
286.64%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.85₾44.59
$12.71$12.71
32.57%
Cinema Ticket
$6.69₾17.71
$1.46$1.46
358.22%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Malayer
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$264₾699
$116$116
127.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,169₾13.7K
$1,998$1,998
158.67%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Malayer
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.1₾199
$22.59$22.59
232.49%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.26₾114
$25.11$25.11
72.28%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾311
$111$111
5.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111₾295
$70.0$70.0
59.30%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Malayer
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$706₾1,868
$283$283
149.03%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$461₾1,221
$204$204
126.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,318₾3,488
$639$639
106.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$781₾2,066
$321$321
143.22%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,463₾6,517
$1,164$1,164
111.57%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,409₾3,727
$612$612
130.14%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Malayer
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$672₾1,779
$220$220
205.47%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
22.24
-46.54%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: June 14, 2026
Last update for Malayer: June 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $706 in Tbilisi and $283 in Malayer. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Tbilisi pays 205% 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: $43.00 in Tbilisi vs $17.00 in Malayer for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $206 vs $107 per month, with Malayer 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 Malayer: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Malayer cheaper than Tbilisi?
Malayer is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 127% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Tbilisi or Malayer?
Tbilisi pays 205% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Tbilisi and Malayer?
Rent for a central apartment: $706 in Tbilisi versus $283 in Malayer. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $264 in Tbilisi versus $116 in Malayer. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do food prices compare in Tbilisi and Malayer?
Supermarket bills run roughly 93% higher in Tbilisi. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Tbilisi or Malayer?
At $520 in Malayer versus $1,178 in Tbilisi, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Malayer but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Malayer the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Tbilisi or Malayer more family-friendly?
For families, Malayer is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Tbilisi, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Tbilisi or Malayer?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Malayer 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Malayer gentler on the wallet – expenses run 127% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.