😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,279 in Tbilisi versus $874 in Montanita.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,011 in Tbilisi versus $1,345 in Montanita.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,743 in Tbilisi versus $1,816 in Montanita.
🌍Living in Tbilisi is roughly 46% more expensive than in Montanita, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi7% lower, Montanita37% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Montanita
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.43₾29.72
$3.53$3.53
223.80%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.16₾99.2
$27.69$27.69
37.81%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.40₾24.45
$7.53$7.53
24.83%
Cappuccino
$3.38₾8.78
$2.47$2.47
36.84%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04₾2.70
$0.84$0.84
23.81%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60₾1.56
$0.63$0.63
-4.76%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.71₾7.05
$1.96$1.96
38.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.04₾7.90
$3.56$3.56
-14.61%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Montanita
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.27₾5.90
$1.13$1.13
100.88%
White Bread(500g)
$0.79₾2.04
$1.62$1.62
-51.23%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.62₾4.21
$1.57$1.57
3.18%
Eggs
$2.74₾7.13
$2.12$2.12
29.25%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.30₾24.19
$5.40$5.40
72.22%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.79₾17.65
$5.53$5.53
22.78%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.01₾33.84
$6.38$6.38
103.92%
Apples(1kg)
$1.64₾4.27
$2.01$2.01
-18.41%
Banana(1kg)
$1.83₾4.77
$1.22$1.22
50.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.90₾4.94
$1.09$1.09
74.31%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.57₾6.68
$1.03$1.03
149.51%
Potato(1kg)
$0.84₾2.19
$1.43$1.43
-41.26%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65₾1.70
$1.08$1.08
-39.81%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.36₾3.54
$0.52$0.52
161.54%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80₾2.07
$1.01$1.01
-20.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.40₾8.85
$6.13$6.13
-44.54%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.67₾19.94
$9.90$9.90
-22.53%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.68₾4.36
$1.48$1.48
13.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38₾6.18
$2.55$2.55
-6.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Montanita
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.39₾1.02
$0.36$0.36
8.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.55₾40.44
$24.16$24.16
-35.64%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.14₾2.96
$1.47$1.47
-22.45%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.74₾1.93
$0.99$0.99
-25.25%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.32₾29.42
$9.94$9.94
13.88%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.38₾3.60
$0.62$0.62
122.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K₾63.9K
$25.3K$25.3K
-3.03%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0K₾57.2K
$28.6K$28.6K
-23.20%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Montanita
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.7₾231
$40.45$40.45
119.36%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.18₾34.26
$13.87$13.87
-4.97%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.68₾51.2
$31.29$31.29
-37.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Montanita
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.3₾177
$29.66$29.66
130.11%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.94₾46.65
$14.36$14.36
24.93%
Cinema Ticket
$6.42₾16.70
$7.49$7.49
-14.29%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Montanita
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$372₾967
$253$253
47.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.8K₾28.1K
$5,615$5,615
92.56%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Montanita
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105₾272
$55.7$55.7
87.58%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.83₾101
$43.80$43.80
-11.35%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$115₾299
$100$100
14.76%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122₾318
$76.3$76.3
60.28%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Montanita
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$681₾1,770
$345$345
97.32%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$456₾1,185
$313$313
45.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,312₾3,410
$621$621
111.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$892₾2,321
$502$502
77.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,391₾6,216
$1,249$1,249
91.44%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,425₾3,704
$991$991
43.75%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Montanita
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$640₾1,663
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.62
10
26.20%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: September 5, 2026
Last update for Montanita: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $681 in Tbilisi and $345 in Montanita. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $38.00 in Tbilisi vs $28.00 in Montanita for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $236 vs $185 per month, with Montanita 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 Montanita: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montanita cheaper than Tbilisi?
Montanita is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment. The 46% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,919 in Tbilisi and $1,312 in Montanita 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 rent difference between Tbilisi and Montanita?
Rent for a central apartment: $681 in Tbilisi versus $345 in Montanita. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $372 in Tbilisi versus $253 in Montanita. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do food prices compare in Tbilisi and in Montanita?
Supermarket bills run roughly 27% higher in Tbilisi. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Tbilisi or in Montanita?
At $874 in Montanita versus $1,279 in Tbilisi, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Montanita but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Montanita the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Tbilisi or Montanita more family-friendly?
For families, Montanita is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Tbilisi, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Tbilisi or Montanita?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Montanita 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 Montanita gentler on the wallet – expenses run 46% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.