😐A single person spends $1,209 per month in Tbilisi vs $389 in Manakara, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,867 per month in Tbilisi vs $583 in Manakara, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,526 per month in Tbilisi vs $776 in Manakara, rent included.
😐Tbilisi costs about 211% more than Manakara, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Tbilisi and Manakara are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi10% lower, Manakara71% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Manakara
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.80₾28.71
$2.16MGA 9,041
400.00%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.18₾115
$14.90MGA 62.5K
189.80%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.29₾22.04
$3.53MGA 14.8K
134.84%
Cappuccino
$3.00₾7.97
$1.19MGA 5,009
152.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.82₾2.17
$0.61MGA 2,571
34.43%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46₾1.21
$0.55MGA 2,286
-16.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.23₾5.93
$1.19MGA 5,001
87.39%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92₾7.75
$1.42MGA 5,963
105.63%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Manakara
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.93₾5.12
$1.82MGA 7,611
6.04%
White Bread(500g)
$0.68₾1.81
$0.98MGA 4,123
-30.61%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.88₾5.00
$0.73MGA 3,075
157.53%
Eggs
$2.54₾6.74
$2.23MGA 9,330
13.90%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.42₾19.70
$6.32MGA 26.5K
17.41%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.19₾16.44
$3.36MGA 14.1K
84.23%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.36₾24.87
$3.52MGA 14.8K
165.91%
Apples(1kg)
$1.22₾3.25
$0.95MGA 3,977
28.42%
Banana(1kg)
$1.66₾4.40
$0.73MGA 3,075
127.40%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.80₾4.78
$0.35MGA 1,453
414.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.24₾5.96
$0.73MGA 3,064
206.85%
Potato(1kg)
$0.71₾1.89
$0.54MGA 2,266
31.48%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67₾1.79
$0.76MGA 3,191
-11.84%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18₾3.13
$0.31MGA 1,315
280.65%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66₾1.76
$0.70MGA 2,915
-5.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.98₾7.91
$1.41MGA 5,900
111.35%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.61₾20.22
$4.71MGA 19.8K
61.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54₾4.08
$1.07MGA 4,468
43.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25₾5.99
$1.32MGA 5,517
70.45%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Manakara
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.95
$0.21MGA 877
71.43%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.44₾38.38
$17.46MGA 73.2K
-17.30%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.49₾3.97
$1.13MGA 4,720
31.86%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.68₾1.82
$2.18MGA 9,140
-68.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.23₾19.20
$3.42MGA 14.3K
111.40%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14₾3.04
$1.19MGA 4,992
-4.20%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.5K₾49.1K
$15.4KMGA 64.6M
19.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.0K₾53.1K
$20.4KMGA 85.6M
-2.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Manakara
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.7₾196
$42.44MGA 177.9K
73.61%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.64₾30.92
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.84₾47.41
$53.1MGA 222.8K
-66.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Manakara
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.1₾160
$11.41MGA 47.8K
426.99%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.80₾44.65
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.60₾17.55
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Manakara
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$266₾708
$21.80MGA 91.4K
1122.16%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,191₾13.8K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Manakara
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.7₾206
$16.48MGA 69.1K
371.48%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.75₾119
$20.25MGA 84.9K
120.99%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$117₾310
$45.64MGA 191.4K
155.89%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113₾300
$44.89MGA 188.2K
151.53%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Manakara
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$693₾1,840
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$462₾1,227
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,320₾3,507
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$774₾2,057
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,430₾6,458
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,446₾3,842
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Manakara
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$673₾1,788
$125MGA 525.4K
436.82%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
24
-50.46%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: May 31, 2026
Last update for Manakara: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Salaries run about 437% 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 $43.00 in Tbilisi versus $15.00 in Manakara. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $203 vs $130 – 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 211%, 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 $1,813 per month in Tbilisi and $584 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 $266 per month in Tbilisi and $21.80 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 Manakara?
Groceries cost about 56% 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 Tbilisi or Manakara?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Manakara, where all-in costs run around $389, than in Tbilisi at $1,209. 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.