🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,209 in Tbilisi versus $2,860 in Monterey Park, CA.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,867 in Tbilisi versus $4,730 in Monterey Park, CA.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,526 in Tbilisi versus $6,600 in Monterey Park, CA.
🙂Living in Tbilisi costs roughly 58% less than in Monterey Park, CA, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Tbilisi is 10% below, Monterey Park, CA is 113% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Monterey Park, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.80₾28.71
$24.82$24.82
-56.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.18₾115
$84.2$84.2
-48.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.29₾22.04
$12.07$12.07
-31.32%
Cappuccino
$3.00₾7.97
$4.94$4.94
-39.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.82₾2.17
$2.72$2.72
-69.85%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46₾1.21
$2.24$2.24
-79.46%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.23₾5.93
$8.22$8.22
-72.87%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92₾7.75
$6.95$6.95
-57.99%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Monterey Park, CA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.93₾5.12
$1.25$1.25
54.40%
White Bread(500g)
$0.68₾1.81
$3.97$3.97
-82.87%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.88₾5.00
$4.10$4.10
-54.15%
Eggs
$2.54₾6.74
$6.87$6.87
-63.03%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.42₾19.70
$12.74$12.74
-41.76%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.19₾16.44
$8.77$8.77
-29.42%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.36₾24.87
$14.76$14.76
-36.59%
Apples(1kg)
$1.22₾3.25
$3.52$3.52
-65.34%
Banana(1kg)
$1.66₾4.40
$1.88$1.88
-11.70%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.80₾4.78
$3.97$3.97
-54.66%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.24₾5.96
$5.03$5.03
-55.47%
Potato(1kg)
$0.71₾1.89
$2.98$2.98
-76.17%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67₾1.79
$2.51$2.51
-73.31%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18₾3.13
$1.86$1.86
-36.56%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66₾1.76
$2.17$2.17
-69.59%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.98₾7.91
$11.19$11.19
-73.37%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.61₾20.22
$14.90$14.90
-48.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54₾4.08
$2.58$2.58
-40.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25₾5.99
$3.13$3.13
-28.12%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Monterey Park, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.95
$1.96$1.96
-81.63%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.44₾38.38
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.49₾3.97
$3.13$3.13
-52.40%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.68₾1.82
$1.71$1.71
-60.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.23₾19.20
$29.74$29.74
-75.69%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14₾3.04
$1.29$1.29
-11.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.5K₾49.1K
$23.8K$23.8K
-22.42%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.0K₾53.1K
$24.5K$24.5K
-18.67%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Monterey Park, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.7₾196
$240$240
-69.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.64₾30.92
$66.7$66.7
-82.54%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.84₾47.41
$70.3$70.3
-74.63%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Monterey Park, CA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.1₾160
$43.78$43.78
37.35%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.80₾44.65
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.60₾17.55
$13.74$13.74
-51.97%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Monterey Park, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$266₾708
$1,193$1,193
-77.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,191₾13.8K
$24.2K$24.2K
-78.51%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Monterey Park, CA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.7₾206
$56.5$56.5
37.55%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.75₾119
$47.29$47.29
-5.37%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$117₾310
$103$103
13.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113₾300
$148$148
-23.64%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Monterey Park, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$693₾1,840
$1,623$1,623
-57.32%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$462₾1,227
$1,549$1,549
-70.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,320₾3,507
$2,656$2,656
-50.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$774₾2,057
$3,673$3,673
-78.92%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,430₾6,458
$2,595$2,595
-6.33%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,446₾3,842
$2,450$2,450
-40.97%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Monterey Park, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$673₾1,788
$2,854$2,854
-76.43%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
6.49
83.20%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: May 31, 2026
Last update for Monterey Park, CA: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $693 in Tbilisi and $1,623 in Monterey Park, CA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Monterey Park, CA pays 324% 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 $84.0 in Monterey Park, CA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $203 vs $389 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 Monterey Park, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tbilisi or Monterey Park, CA?
Tbilisi wins on cost – living expenses run 137% lower than in Monterey Park, CA. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Tbilisi the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Tbilisi or Monterey Park, CA?
On paper, Monterey Park, CA earns 324% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Tbilisi vs Monterey Park, CA?
Rent for a central apartment: $693 in Tbilisi versus $1,623 in Monterey Park, CA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Tbilisi or Monterey Park, CA?
Supermarket bills run roughly 91% higher in Monterey Park, CA. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Tbilisi compared to Monterey Park, CA?
All in, you'll spend $1,209 per month in Tbilisi versus $2,860 in Monterey Park, CA – a 137% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Tbilisi or Monterey Park, CA?
At $1,209 in Tbilisi versus $2,860 in Monterey Park, CA, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tbilisi but tight or insufficient in Monterey Park, CA. The gap between the two cities makes Tbilisi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Tbilisi or Monterey Park, CA?
Both work as nomad bases, but Tbilisi delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,209 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Tbilisi hard to pass up.
How safe is Tbilisi compared to Monterey Park, CA?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Monterey Park, CA 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Tbilisi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 137% less than in Monterey Park, CA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.