😐A single person spends $1,185 per month in Tbilisi vs $749 in Mbabane, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,834 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,163 in Mbabane, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,483 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,577 in Mbabane, rent included.
😐Tbilisi costs about 58% more than Mbabane, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Tbilisi and Mbabane are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi12% lower, Mbabane44% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Mbabane
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.15₾30.00
$3.06SZL 51.3
264.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.13₾116
$28.91SZL 485
49.19%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.22₾22.11
$2.26SZL 37.83
263.72%
Cappuccino
$3.13₾8.42
$1.88SZL 31.53
66.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74₾2.00
$0.89SZL 14.98
-16.85%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45₾1.22
$0.55SZL 9.21
-18.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.13₾5.74
$1.69SZL 28.40
26.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.99₾8.06
$1.71SZL 28.69
74.85%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Mbabane
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.89₾5.09
$1.04SZL 17.42
81.73%
White Bread(500g)
$0.73₾1.97
$0.77SZL 12.97
-5.19%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.85₾4.98
$1.29SZL 21.59
43.41%
Eggs
$2.45₾6.58
$1.72SZL 28.90
42.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.85₾21.12
$9.03SZL 151
-13.07%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.25₾16.82
$4.86SZL 81.4
28.60%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.77₾26.28
$5.20SZL 87.3
87.88%
Apples(1kg)
$1.21₾3.26
$1.56SZL 26.08
-22.44%
Banana(1kg)
$1.59₾4.28
$0.71SZL 11.97
123.94%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.79₾4.81
$0.90SZL 15.11
98.89%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.32₾6.25
$1.39SZL 23.35
66.91%
Potato(1kg)
$0.71₾1.91
$1.01SZL 16.95
-29.70%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67₾1.81
$1.23SZL 20.64
-45.53%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18₾3.16
$0.56SZL 9.42
110.71%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.71₾1.92
$0.78SZL 13.15
-8.97%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.92₾7.85
$2.58SZL 43.31
13.18%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.25₾19.50
$6.10SZL 102
18.85%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.55₾4.17
$1.45SZL 24.27
6.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31₾6.21
$1.37SZL 22.98
68.61%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Mbabane
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.38₾1.03
$1.14SZL 19.12
-66.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.81₾39.83
$28.83SZL 483
-48.63%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.48₾3.98
$3.42SZL 57.3
-56.73%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.69₾1.86
$2.73SZL 45.77
-74.73%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.45₾20.05
$3.40SZL 56.9
119.12%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.15₾3.10
$1.17SZL 19.70
-1.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.0K₾48.4K
$17.0KSZL 284.7K
6.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.8K₾53.4K
$20.7KSZL 347.7K
-4.33%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Mbabane
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.4₾198
$76.5SZL 1,283
-4.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.64₾31.32
$35.63SZL 598
-67.33%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.77₾47.79
$28.37SZL 476
-37.36%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Mbabane
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.6₾163
$28.55SZL 479
112.15%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.44₾44.21
$5.16SZL 86.5
218.60%
Cinema Ticket
$6.51₾17.52
$3.67SZL 61.5
77.38%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Mbabane
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$263₾707
$107SZL 1,794
145.57%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,136₾13.8K
$4,639SZL 77.8K
10.72%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Mbabane
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.7₾209
$44.41SZL 745
74.96%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.39₾119
$22.92SZL 384
93.67%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾317
$72.2SZL 1,210
63.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114₾307
$81.0SZL 1,358
40.95%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Mbabane
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$693₾1,865
$260SZL 4,356
166.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$462₾1,244
$179SZL 2,999
158.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,337₾3,597
$497SZL 8,327
169.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$779₾2,096
$372SZL 6,242
109.33%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,530₾6,805
$484SZL 8,114
422.86%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,430₾3,847
$365SZL 6,114
292.20%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Mbabane
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$633₾1,702
$663SZL 11.1K
-4.61%
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: April 26, 2026
Last update for Mbabane: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $693 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 5% higher in Mbabane, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $43.00 in Tbilisi versus $29.00 in Mbabane. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $206 vs $159 – 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 58% 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 $1,777 per month in Tbilisi and $1,124 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 95% 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 $263 per month in Tbilisi and $107 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 $749, than in Tbilisi at $1,185. 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 $749 versus $1,185 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.