Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Mbabane Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Mbabane

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,178 per month in Tbilisi vs $728 in Mbabane, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,848 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,175 in Mbabane, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,518 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,622 in Mbabane, rent included.

Tbilisi costs about 62% more than Mbabane, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Tbilisi and Mbabane are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi 12% lower, Mbabane 45% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Mbabane
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.09 ₾29.35
$3.07 SZL 49.57
261.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.24 ₾114
$29.16 SZL 472
48.29%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.55 ₾22.63
$2.32 SZL 37.56
268.53%
Cappuccino
$2.97 ₾7.86
$1.88 SZL 30.42
57.98%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76 ₾2.01
$0.89 SZL 14.44
-14.61%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46 ₾1.22
$0.59 SZL 9.49
-22.03%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.22 ₾5.88
$1.70 SZL 27.44
30.59%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92 ₾7.73
$1.69 SZL 27.38
72.78%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Mbabane
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.97 ₾5.21
$1.03 SZL 16.64
91.26%
White Bread (500g)
$0.73 ₾1.94
$0.74 SZL 11.90
-1.35%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.82 ₾4.81
$1.24 SZL 20.02
46.77%
Eggs
$2.49 ₾6.60
$1.64 SZL 26.58
51.83%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.66 ₾20.27
$9.20 SZL 149
-16.74%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.27 ₾16.59
$5.02 SZL 81.1
24.90%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.50 ₾25.14
$5.07 SZL 82.0
87.38%
Apples (1kg)
$1.23 ₾3.24
$1.48 SZL 23.98
-16.89%
Banana (1kg)
$1.64 ₾4.33
$0.77 SZL 12.39
112.99%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.87 ₾4.95
$0.95 SZL 15.44
96.84%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.27 ₾6.02
$1.41 SZL 22.74
60.99%
Potato (1kg)
$0.67 ₾1.77
$1.06 SZL 17.15
-36.79%
Onion (1kg)
$0.67 ₾1.79
$1.22 SZL 19.78
-45.08%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.22 ₾3.23
$0.55 SZL 8.93
121.82%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70 ₾1.85
$0.77 SZL 12.39
-9.09%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.92 ₾7.73
$2.59 SZL 41.83
12.74%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.72 ₾20.42
$6.24 SZL 101
23.72%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.55 ₾4.09
$1.44 SZL 23.34
7.64%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22 ₾5.86
$1.43 SZL 23.19
55.24%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Mbabane
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.39 ₾1.02
$1.10 SZL 17.75
-64.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$14.67 ₾38.81
$28.95 SZL 468
-49.33%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.44 ₾3.82
$3.38 SZL 54.6
-57.40%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.69 ₾1.81
$2.63 SZL 42.54
-73.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.37 ₾19.52
$3.40 SZL 55.0
116.76%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.14 ₾3.03
$1.13 SZL 18.27
0.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.2K ₾48.1K
$17.1K SZL 275.8K
6.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.4K ₾54.1K
$21.0K SZL 339.0K
-2.50%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Mbabane
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$73.6 ₾195
$75.6 SZL 1,223
-2.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.64 ₾30.80
$35.66 SZL 577
-67.36%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.63 ₾46.65
$28.16 SZL 455
-37.39%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Mbabane
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$61.4 ₾162
$28.24 SZL 457
117.28%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.85 ₾44.59
$4.98 SZL 80.6
238.35%
Cinema Ticket
$6.69 ₾17.71
$3.71 SZL 60.1
80.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Mbabane
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$264 ₾699
$104 SZL 1,687
153.11%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,169 ₾13.7K
$4,542 SZL 73.4K
13.79%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Mbabane
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.1 ₾199
$44.86 SZL 725
67.43%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.26 ₾114
$22.99 SZL 372
88.17%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$118 ₾311
$72.0 SZL 1,165
63.23%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111 ₾295
$82.7 SZL 1,338
34.75%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Mbabane
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$706 ₾1,868
$260 SZL 4,206
171.36%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$461 ₾1,221
$179 SZL 2,888
158.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,318 ₾3,488
$493 SZL 7,973
167.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$781 ₾2,066
$372 SZL 6,016
109.83%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,463 ₾6,517
$503 SZL 8,129
389.91%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,409 ₾3,727
$372 SZL 6,013
278.78%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Mbabane
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$672 ₾1,779
$669 SZL 10.8K
0.51%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.89
11.62
2.32%

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

Last update for Tbilisi: June 14, 2026

Last update for Mbabane: June 15, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $706 in Tbilisi versus $260 in Mbabane. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 1% 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 $29.00 in Mbabane. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $206 vs $160 – making Mbabane 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 Mbabane: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tbilisi or Mbabane?
Tbilisi costs about 62% more than Mbabane, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Tbilisi vs Mbabane?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,767 per month in Tbilisi and $1,092 in Mbabane. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Tbilisi or Mbabane?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Mbabane, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How expensive is transport in Tbilisi vs Mbabane?
Public transport costs about 97% less in Mbabane. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Tbilisi and Mbabane?
Kindergarten costs $264 per month in Tbilisi and $104 in Mbabane. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Tbilisi or Mbabane?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Mbabane, where all-in costs run around $728, than in Tbilisi at $1,178. In Mbabane it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tbilisi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Tbilisi or Mbabane?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Mbabane costs $728 versus $1,178 in Tbilisi. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Tbilisi compared to Mbabane?
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.
Should I move to Tbilisi or Mbabane?
If budget matters most, go with Mbabane. 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.

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