😐A single person spends $1,279 per month in Tbilisi vs $410 in Manakara, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,011 per month in Tbilisi vs $629 in Manakara, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,743 per month in Tbilisi vs $848 in Manakara, rent included.
😐Tbilisi costs about 212% more than Manakara, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Tbilisi and Manakara are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi7% lower, Manakara70% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Manakara
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.43₾29.72
$2.26MGA 9,807
405.75%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.16₾99.2
$15.04MGA 65.2K
153.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.40₾24.45
$3.67MGA 15.9K
156.13%
Cappuccino
$3.38₾8.78
$1.26MGA 5,478
168.25%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04₾2.70
$0.59MGA 2,552
76.27%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60₾1.56
$0.60MGA 2,598
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.71₾7.05
$1.25MGA 5,424
116.80%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.04₾7.90
$1.52MGA 6,568
100.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Manakara
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.27₾5.90
$1.89MGA 8,201
20.11%
White Bread(500g)
$0.79₾2.04
$1.06MGA 4,600
-25.47%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.62₾4.21
$0.70MGA 3,050
131.43%
Eggs
$2.74₾7.13
$2.35MGA 10.2K
16.60%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.30₾24.19
$6.90MGA 29.9K
34.78%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.79₾17.65
$3.60MGA 15.6K
88.61%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.01₾33.84
$3.60MGA 15.6K
261.39%
Apples(1kg)
$1.64₾4.27
$1.00MGA 4,321
64.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.83₾4.77
$0.75MGA 3,241
144.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.90₾4.94
$0.36MGA 1,566
427.78%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.57₾6.68
$0.75MGA 3,270
242.67%
Potato(1kg)
$0.84₾2.19
$0.62MGA 2,673
35.48%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65₾1.70
$0.79MGA 3,403
-17.72%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.36₾3.54
$0.34MGA 1,472
300.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80₾2.07
$0.72MGA 3,101
11.11%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.40₾8.85
$1.47MGA 6,348
131.29%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.67₾19.94
$4.70MGA 20.4K
63.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.68₾4.36
$1.12MGA 4,869
50.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38₾6.18
$1.34MGA 5,824
77.61%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Manakara
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.39₾1.02
$0.22MGA 953
77.27%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.55₾40.44
$36.40MGA 157.7K
-57.28%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.14₾2.96
$1.17MGA 5,083
-2.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.74₾1.93
$2.36MGA 10.2K
-68.64%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.32₾29.42
$3.55MGA 15.4K
218.87%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.38₾3.60
$1.19MGA 5,172
15.97%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K₾63.9K
$16.1KMGA 69.9M
52.38%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0K₾57.2K
$21.5KMGA 93.1M
2.36%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Manakara
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.7₾231
$44.88MGA 194.4K
97.70%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.18₾34.26
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.68₾51.2
$55.8MGA 242.0K
-64.76%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Manakara
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.3₾177
$12.07MGA 52.3K
465.45%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.94₾46.65
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.42₾16.70
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Manakara
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$372₾967
$22.71MGA 98.4K
1537.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.8K₾28.1K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Manakara
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105₾272
$17.15MGA 74.3K
509.33%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.83₾101
$21.34MGA 92.5K
81.96%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$115₾299
$48.43MGA 209.9K
137.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122₾318
$46.11MGA 199.8K
165.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Manakara
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$681₾1,770
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$456₾1,185
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,312₾3,410
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$892₾2,321
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,391₾6,216
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,425₾3,704
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Manakara
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$640₾1,663
$120MGA 521.5K
431.39%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.62
24
-47.42%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: September 5, 2026
Last update for Manakara: September 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Salaries run about 431% higher in Tbilisi, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $38.00 in Tbilisi versus $15.00 in Manakara. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $236 vs $137 – making Manakara 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 Manakara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manakara cheaper than Tbilisi?
Yes – Tbilisi is pricier by about 212%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,919 per month in Tbilisi and $615 in Manakara. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $372 per month in Tbilisi and $22.71 in Manakara. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Tbilisi and in Manakara?
Groceries cost about 72% more in Tbilisi, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Tbilisi or in Manakara?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Manakara, where all-in costs run around $410, than in Tbilisi at $1,279. In Manakara it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tbilisi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Tbilisi or Manakara more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Manakara – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Tbilisi or Manakara?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Manakara. 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.