😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,247 in Tbilisi versus $640 in Mashhad.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,025 in Tbilisi versus $931 in Mashhad.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,803 in Tbilisi versus $1,223 in Mashhad.
🌍Living in Tbilisi is roughly 95% more expensive than in Mashhad, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi9% lower, Mashhad53% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Mashhad
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.33₾29.44
$4.67IQD 6,120
142.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.71₾101
$34.11IQD 44.7K
13.49%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.52₾24.72
$7.65IQD 10.0K
24.44%
Cappuccino
$3.41₾8.85
$3.08IQD 4,035
10.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04₾2.71
$0.40IQD 519
160.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64₾1.66
$0.24IQD 312
166.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.61₾6.79
$3.88IQD 5,082
-32.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24₾8.43
$3.89IQD 5,088
-16.71%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Mashhad
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.17₾5.65
$1.05IQD 1,371
106.67%
White Bread(500g)
$0.74₾1.92
$0.82IQD 1,076
-9.76%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71₾4.45
$1.58IQD 2,067
8.23%
Eggs
$2.83₾7.36
$0.81IQD 1,063
249.38%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.22₾23.95
$3.80IQD 4,980
142.63%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.76₾17.55
$2.04IQD 2,676
231.37%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.77₾33.17
$2.92IQD 3,820
337.33%
Apples(1kg)
$1.64₾4.26
$1.01IQD 1,325
62.38%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77₾4.60
$1.12IQD 1,467
58.04%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87₾4.85
$0.98IQD 1,281
90.82%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.44₾6.34
$0.68IQD 889
258.82%
Potato(1kg)
$0.87₾2.25
$0.67IQD 873
29.85%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65₾1.70
$0.64IQD 837
1.56%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40₾3.64
$0.31IQD 407
351.61%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74₾1.93
$0.21IQD 274
252.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.41₾8.86
$0.76IQD 996
348.68%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.60₾19.75
$13.55IQD 17.7K
-43.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70₾4.41
$2.14IQD 2,799
-20.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38₾6.20
$2.26IQD 2,953
5.31%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Mashhad
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.94
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.24₾39.60
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.18₾3.07
$2.25IQD 2,947
-47.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.76₾1.97
$1.51IQD 1,979
-49.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.34₾29.46
$7.52IQD 9,851
50.80%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.33₾3.46
$0.65IQD 857
104.62%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7K₾64.2K
$18.9KIQD 24.8M
30.61%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0K₾57.2K
$18.9KIQD 24.8M
16.44%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Mashhad
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.9₾231
$215IQD 281.7K
-58.70%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.33₾34.63
$21.21IQD 27.8K
-37.15%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12₾52.3
$42.34IQD 55.4K
-52.48%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Mashhad
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.7₾178
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.09₾47.00
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.72₾17.45
$10.60IQD 13.9K
-36.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Mashhad
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$374₾971
$165IQD 216.6K
125.85%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7K₾27.8K
$3,514IQD 4.6M
204.42%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Mashhad
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$101₾263
$29.67IQD 38.8K
241.12%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.33₾102
$38.11IQD 49.9K
3.20%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾305
$74.5IQD 97.6K
57.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122₾318
$46.47IQD 60.8K
163.18%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Mashhad
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$682₾1,773
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$456₾1,186
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,303₾3,384
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$899₾2,337
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,449₾6,364
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,452₾3,773
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Mashhad
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$652₾1,695
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.62
4.12
206.31%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026
Last update for Mashhad: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $39.00 in Tbilisi vs $34.00 in Mashhad for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $232 vs $127 per month, with Mashhad 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 Mashhad: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tbilisi and in Mashhad?
Tbilisi and Mashhad differ by about 95% in total monthly costs ($1,247 vs $640 including rent). Mashhad is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Tbilisi compared to Mashhad?
You'd need roughly $1,870 in Tbilisi and $960 in Mashhad to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Tbilisi and Mashhad?
Childcare runs $374 in Tbilisi versus $165 in Mashhad. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Mashhad – a meal for two runs $34.00 versus $39.00 in Tbilisi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $640 in Mashhad versus $1,247 in Tbilisi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Mashhad but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Mashhad the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Mashhad?
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 Mashhad safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Mashhad 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 Mashhad?
Expats usually find Mashhad gentler on the wallet – expenses run 95% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.