Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Maseru Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Maseru

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,209 in Tbilisi versus $681 in Maseru.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,867 in Tbilisi versus $1,098 in Maseru.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,526 in Tbilisi versus $1,515 in Maseru.

Living in Tbilisi is roughly 78% more expensive than Maseru, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi 10% lower, Maseru 49% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Maseru
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.80 ₾28.71
$11.24 LSL 183
-3.91%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.18 ₾115
$24.79 LSL 404
74.18%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.29 ₾22.04
$10.96 LSL 179
-24.36%
Cappuccino
$3.00 ₾7.97
$1.76 LSL 28.62
70.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.82 ₾2.17
$1.32 LSL 21.60
-37.88%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46 ₾1.21
$0.75 LSL 12.21
-38.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.23 ₾5.93
$1.95 LSL 31.73
14.36%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92 ₾7.75
$2.22 LSL 36.13
31.53%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Maseru
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.93 ₾5.12
$0.99 LSL 16.19
94.95%
White Bread (500g)
$0.68 ₾1.81
$0.71 LSL 11.61
-4.23%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.88 ₾5.00
$2.18 LSL 35.55
-13.76%
Eggs
$2.54 ₾6.74
$1.37 LSL 22.41
85.40%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.42 ₾19.70
$7.17 LSL 117
3.49%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.19 ₾16.44
$5.56 LSL 90.6
11.33%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.36 ₾24.87
$5.71 LSL 93.0
63.92%
Apples (1kg)
$1.22 ₾3.25
$1.66 LSL 27.14
-26.51%
Banana (1kg)
$1.66 ₾4.40
$2.10 LSL 34.27
-20.95%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.80 ₾4.78
$2.53 LSL 41.31
-28.85%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.24 ₾5.96
$2.18 LSL 35.52
2.75%
Potato (1kg)
$0.71 ₾1.89
$1.49 LSL 24.23
-52.35%
Onion (1kg)
$0.67 ₾1.79
$1.51 LSL 24.67
-55.63%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.18 ₾3.13
$1.37 LSL 22.26
-13.87%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66 ₾1.76
$0.78 LSL 12.77
-15.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.98 ₾7.91
$4.85 LSL 79.1
-38.56%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.61 ₾20.22
$7.26 LSL 118
4.82%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54 ₾4.08
$0.96 LSL 15.70
60.42%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25 ₾5.99
$1.44 LSL 23.44
56.25%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Maseru
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.36 ₾0.95
$0.70 LSL 11.37
-48.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$14.44 ₾38.38
$28.09 LSL 458
-48.59%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.49 ₾3.97
$0.64 LSL 10.51
132.81%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.68 ₾1.82
$0.61 LSL 10.01
11.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.23 ₾19.20
$10.04 LSL 164
-27.99%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.14 ₾3.04
$1.14 LSL 18.63
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.5K ₾49.1K
$20.0K LSL 325.5K
-7.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.0K ₾53.1K
$15.3K LSL 249.8K
30.28%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Maseru
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$73.7 ₾196
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.64 ₾30.92
$13.60 LSL 222
-14.41%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.84 ₾47.41
$31.41 LSL 512
-43.20%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Maseru
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$60.1 ₾160
$21.63 LSL 353
177.99%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.80 ₾44.65
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.60 ₾17.55
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Maseru
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$266 ₾708
$48.66 LSL 793
447.53%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,191 ₾13.8K
$1,124 LSL 18.3K
361.97%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Maseru
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.7 ₾206
$43.80 LSL 714
77.40%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.75 ₾119
$39.16 LSL 638
14.27%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$117 ₾310
$98.9 LSL 1,611
18.14%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 ₾300
$139 LSL 2,268
-18.83%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Maseru
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$693 ₾1,840
$140 LSL 2,279
395.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$462 ₾1,227
$72.5 LSL 1,181
537.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,320 ₾3,507
$396 LSL 6,458
233.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$774 ₾2,057
$157 LSL 2,561
392.76%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,430 ₾6,458
$386 LSL 6,296
529.26%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,446 ₾3,842
$528 LSL 8,605
173.90%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Maseru
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$673 ₾1,788
$643 LSL 10.5K
4.71%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.89
8.5
39.88%

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

Last update for Tbilisi: May 31, 2026

Last update for Maseru: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $693 in Tbilisi and $140 in Maseru. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Tbilisi pays 5% 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 $25.00 in Maseru for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $203 vs $184 per month, with Maseru 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 Maseru: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tbilisi and Maseru?
Tbilisi and Maseru differ by about 78% in total monthly costs ($1,209 vs $681 including rent). Maseru is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Tbilisi or Maseru?
Tbilisi pays 5% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Tbilisi and Maseru?
Rent for a central apartment: $693 in Tbilisi versus $140 in Maseru. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Maseru – a meal for two runs $25.00 versus $43.00 in Tbilisi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Tbilisi or Maseru?
All in, you'll spend $1,209 per month in Tbilisi versus $681 in Maseru – a 78% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $681 in Maseru versus $1,209 in Tbilisi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Maseru but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Maseru the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Maseru?
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 Maseru safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Maseru 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 Maseru?
Expats usually find Maseru gentler on the wallet – expenses run 78% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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