😐A single person spends $1,191 per month in Tbilisi vs $277 in Nkhotakota, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,856 per month in Tbilisi vs $444 in Nkhotakota, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,522 per month in Tbilisi vs $612 in Nkhotakota, rent included.
😐Tbilisi costs about 331% more than Nkhotakota, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Tbilisi and Nkhotakota are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi11% lower, Nkhotakota79% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Nkhotakota
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.91₾28.56
$4.98MWK 8,553
119.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.19₾113
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.53₾22.31
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.99₾7.81
$5.15MWK 8,841
-41.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.81₾2.12
$0.48MWK 824
68.75%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42₾1.09
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.16₾5.65
$1.47MWK 2,532
46.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88₾7.52
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Nkhotakota
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.94₾5.08
$2.05MWK 3,528
-5.37%
White Bread(500g)
$0.68₾1.77
$0.52MWK 900
30.77%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.85₾4.83
$0.97MWK 1,669
90.72%
Eggs
$2.53₾6.62
$1.77MWK 3,042
42.94%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.53₾19.69
$3.02MWK 5,187
149.34%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.26₾16.39
$3.02MWK 5,183
107.28%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.59₾25.09
$4.02MWK 6,897
138.56%
Apples(1kg)
$1.16₾3.04
$4.90MWK 8,414
-76.33%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64₾4.29
$2.99MWK 5,127
-45.15%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.88₾4.93
$2.06MWK 3,536
-8.74%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.23₾5.84
$1.02MWK 1,748
118.63%
Potato(1kg)
$0.70₾1.83
$1.02MWK 1,760
-31.37%
Onion(1kg)
$0.64₾1.68
$2.06MWK 3,534
-68.93%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18₾3.09
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70₾1.83
$1.99MWK 3,414
-64.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.97₾7.78
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$7.43₾19.45
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54₾4.03
$1.02MWK 1,750
50.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28₾5.98
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Nkhotakota
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.93
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.73₾38.54
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42₾3.71
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.69₾1.81
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.27₾19.02
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.09₾2.86
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.3K₾47.9K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.5K₾53.6K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Nkhotakota
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$74.4₾195
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.71₾30.63
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60₾46.06
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Nkhotakota
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.3₾158
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.29₾42.63
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.51₾17.03
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Nkhotakota
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$269₾704
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,154₾13.5K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Nkhotakota
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.1₾202
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.48₾114
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾310
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113₾295
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Nkhotakota
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$709₾1,856
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$465₾1,215
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,316₾3,442
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$767₾2,007
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,492₾6,522
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,442₾3,773
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Nkhotakota
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$663₾1,735
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: July 25, 2026
Last update for Nkhotakota: July 28, 2026
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 Nkhotakota: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nkhotakota cheaper than Tbilisi?
Yes – Tbilisi is pricier by about 331%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,787 per month in Tbilisi and $415 in Nkhotakota. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
What are total monthly expenses in Tbilisi and in Nkhotakota?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,191 in Tbilisi and $277 in Nkhotakota. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do food prices compare in Tbilisi and in Nkhotakota?
Groceries cost about 24% more in Tbilisi, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Tbilisi or in Nkhotakota?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Nkhotakota, where all-in costs run around $277, than in Tbilisi at $1,191. In Nkhotakota it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tbilisi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Tbilisi or Nkhotakota more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Nkhotakota – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Tbilisi or Nkhotakota?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Nkhotakota. 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.