Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Masterton Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Masterton

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,191 in Tbilisi versus $1,510 in Masterton.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,856 in Tbilisi versus $2,430 in Masterton.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,522 in Tbilisi versus $3,350 in Masterton.

Living in Tbilisi costs roughly 21% less than in Masterton, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

The two cities straddle the global median: Tbilisi is 11% below, Masterton is 13% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Masterton
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.91 ₾28.56
$10.01 NZ$16.98
8.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.19 ₾113
$89.1 NZ$151
-51.53%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.53 ₾22.31
$8.82 NZ$14.95
-3.29%
Cappuccino
$2.99 ₾7.81
$3.25 NZ$5.51
-8.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.81 ₾2.12
$2.07 NZ$3.51
-60.87%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42 ₾1.09
$1.57 NZ$2.66
-73.25%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.16 ₾5.65
$3.60 NZ$6.10
-40.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88 ₾7.52
$4.10 NZ$6.95
-29.76%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Masterton
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.94 ₾5.08
$1.49 NZ$2.53
30.20%
White Bread (500g)
$0.68 ₾1.77
$1.62 NZ$2.74
-58.02%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.85 ₾4.83
$1.17 NZ$1.98
58.12%
Eggs
$2.53 ₾6.62
$6.31 NZ$10.70
-59.90%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.53 ₾19.69
$7.27 NZ$12.32
3.58%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.26 ₾16.39
$9.21 NZ$15.61
-32.03%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.59 ₾25.09
$12.60 NZ$21.36
-23.89%
Apples (1kg)
$1.16 ₾3.04
$1.78 NZ$3.02
-34.83%
Banana (1kg)
$1.64 ₾4.29
$1.86 NZ$3.16
-11.83%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.88 ₾4.93
$2.56 NZ$4.34
-26.56%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.23 ₾5.84
$3.42 NZ$5.80
-34.80%
Potato (1kg)
$0.70 ₾1.83
$1.44 NZ$2.43
-51.39%
Onion (1kg)
$0.64 ₾1.68
$1.21 NZ$2.05
-47.11%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.18 ₾3.09
$1.84 NZ$3.13
-35.87%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70 ₾1.83
$0.91 NZ$1.55
-23.08%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.97 ₾7.78
$20.66 NZ$35.02
-85.62%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.43 ₾19.45
$10.99 NZ$18.63
-32.39%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54 ₾4.03
$2.33 NZ$3.95
-33.91%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28 ₾5.98
$2.62 NZ$4.45
-12.98%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Masterton
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.36 ₾0.93
$2.45 NZ$4.16
-85.31%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$14.73 ₾38.54
$65.2 NZ$110
-77.39%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.42 ₾3.71
$2.36 NZ$4.00
-39.83%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.69 ₾1.81
$1.78 NZ$3.01
-61.24%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.27 ₾19.02
$41.16 NZ$69.8
-82.34%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.09 ₾2.86
$1.63 NZ$2.77
-33.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.3K ₾47.9K
$24.1K NZ$40.8K
-23.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.5K ₾53.6K
$22.8K NZ$38.6K
-10.05%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Masterton
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$74.4 ₾195
$80.0 NZ$136
-7.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.71 ₾30.63
$32.22 NZ$54.6
-63.66%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60 ₾46.06
$47.35 NZ$80.3
-62.83%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Masterton
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$60.3 ₾158
$39.93 NZ$67.7
50.94%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.29 ₾42.63
$8.97 NZ$15.20
81.61%
Cinema Ticket
$6.51 ₾17.03
$8.24 NZ$13.97
-21.00%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Masterton
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$269 ₾704
$397 NZ$673
-32.17%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,154 ₾13.5K
$4,899 NZ$8,305
5.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Masterton
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.1 ₾202
$70.4 NZ$119
9.55%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.48 ₾114
$29.77 NZ$50.5
46.05%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$118 ₾310
$103 NZ$175
14.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 ₾295
$116 NZ$196
-2.47%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Masterton
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$709 ₾1,856
$793 NZ$1,345
-10.57%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$465 ₾1,215
$597 NZ$1,012
-22.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,316 ₾3,442
$1,244 NZ$2,108
5.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$767 ₾2,007
$1,100 NZ$1,864
-30.26%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,492 ₾6,522
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,442 ₾3,773
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Masterton
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$663 ₾1,735
$2,400 NZ$4,068
-72.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.89
6.69
77.73%

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

Last update for Tbilisi: July 25, 2026

Last update for Masterton: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $709 in Tbilisi and $793 in Masterton. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Masterton pays 262% 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 $89.0 in Masterton for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $204 vs $278 per month, with Tbilisi 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 Masterton: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Masterton cheaper than Tbilisi?
Tbilisi is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 27% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Tbilisi or Masterton?
On paper, salaries run 262% lower in Masterton. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Tbilisi and Masterton?
Rent for a central apartment: $709 in Tbilisi versus $793 in Masterton. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Tbilisi or in Masterton?
Dining out is cheaper in Tbilisi – a meal for two runs $43.00 versus $89.0 in Masterton. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Tbilisi and in Masterton?
All in, you'll spend $1,191 per month in Tbilisi versus $1,510 in Masterton – a 27% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Tbilisi or in Masterton?
At $1,191 in Tbilisi versus $1,510 in Masterton, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tbilisi but tight or insufficient in Masterton. The gap between the two cities makes Tbilisi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Tbilisi or Masterton more family-friendly?
For families, Tbilisi is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Masterton, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Tbilisi or Masterton?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Masterton 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 Tbilisi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 27% less than in Masterton. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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