😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,255 in Tbilisi versus $1,010 in Nuku'alofa.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,985 in Tbilisi versus $1,864 in Nuku'alofa.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,715 in Tbilisi versus $2,719 in Nuku'alofa.
🌍Living in Tbilisi is roughly 24% more expensive than in Nuku'alofa, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi8% lower, Nuku'alofa26% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Nuku'alofa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.44₾29.81
$8.46TOP 20.03
35.22%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.74₾101
$62.2TOP 147
-37.73%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.52₾24.82
$10.18TOP 24.12
-6.48%
Cappuccino
$3.37₾8.79
$2.96TOP 7.01
13.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.12₾2.92
$2.78TOP 6.58
-59.71%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60₾1.57
$2.48TOP 5.88
-75.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.81₾7.33
$3.25TOP 7.70
-13.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.74₾9.75
$4.89TOP 11.58
-23.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Nuku'alofa
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.26₾5.90
$1.53TOP 3.62
47.71%
White Bread(500g)
$0.79₾2.06
$1.06TOP 2.51
-25.47%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.72₾4.48
$2.09TOP 4.95
-17.70%
Eggs
$2.73₾7.12
$4.99TOP 11.81
-45.29%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.68₾25.25
$9.10TOP 21.56
6.37%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.72₾17.52
$6.02TOP 14.27
11.63%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.91₾33.67
$7.54TOP 17.86
71.22%
Apples(1kg)
$1.62₾4.23
$2.81TOP 6.65
-42.35%
Banana(1kg)
$1.80₾4.68
$2.84TOP 6.73
-36.62%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.96₾5.12
$2.86TOP 6.78
-31.47%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.56₾6.67
$3.72TOP 8.80
-31.18%
Potato(1kg)
$0.79₾2.06
$3.12TOP 7.39
-74.68%
Onion(1kg)
$0.62₾1.63
$2.59TOP 6.13
-76.06%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.38₾3.60
$2.27TOP 5.38
-39.21%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79₾2.06
$1.35TOP 3.20
-41.48%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.49₾9.10
$10.27TOP 24.32
-66.02%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.50₾19.54
$17.31TOP 41.02
-56.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.58₾4.13
$3.17TOP 7.50
-50.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33₾6.07
$3.30TOP 7.81
-29.39%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Nuku'alofa
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.37₾0.96
$2.10TOP 4.98
-82.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.15₾39.50
$41.62TOP 98.6
-63.60%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.17₾3.04
$2.06TOP 4.89
-43.20%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.73₾1.91
$2.05TOP 4.85
-64.39%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.59₾30.22
$40.83TOP 96.7
-71.61%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.31₾3.42
$1.46TOP 3.46
-10.27%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.9K₾65.0K
$5,700TOP 13.5K
337.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.9K₾57.1K
$8,333TOP 19.7K
163.03%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Nuku'alofa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$87.4₾228
$187TOP 442
-53.19%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.38₾34.88
$22.16TOP 52.5
-39.62%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.75₾51.5
$125TOP 296
-84.20%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Nuku'alofa
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$66.6₾174
$31.58TOP 74.8
110.99%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.91₾49.30
$40.89TOP 96.9
-53.75%
Cinema Ticket
$6.96₾18.13
$41.94TOP 99.3
-83.40%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Nuku'alofa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$356₾927
$155TOP 367
129.29%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.5K₾27.3K
$250TOP 592
4097.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Nuku'alofa
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$103₾269
$14.34TOP 33.96
618.27%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.91₾101
$17.96TOP 42.54
116.65%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$117₾305
$21.09TOP 49.95
455.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123₾320
$28.91TOP 68.5
325.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Nuku'alofa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$689₾1,798
$622TOP 1,473
10.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$450₾1,174
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,324₾3,451
$821TOP 1,945
61.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$871₾2,271
$562TOP 1,332
54.95%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,466₾6,429
$410TOP 972
501.16%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,476₾3,848
$249TOP 591
491.68%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Nuku'alofa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$649₾1,691
$687TOP 1,628
-5.62%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.73
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: August 8, 2026
Last update for Nuku'alofa: August 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $689 in Tbilisi and $622 in Nuku'alofa. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Nuku'alofa pays 6% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $39.00 in Tbilisi vs $62.0 in Nuku'alofa for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $235 vs $292 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 Nuku'alofa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tbilisi and in Nuku'alofa?
Tbilisi and Nuku'alofa differ by about 24% in total monthly costs ($1,255 vs $1,010 including rent). Nuku'alofa is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 6% lower in Nuku'alofa. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Tbilisi and in Nuku'alofa?
Rent for a central apartment: $689 in Tbilisi versus $622 in Nuku'alofa. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Nuku'alofa – a meal for two runs $62.0 versus $39.00 in Tbilisi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Tbilisi or Nuku'alofa?
All in, you'll spend $1,255 per month in Tbilisi versus $1,010 in Nuku'alofa – a 24% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,010 in Nuku'alofa versus $1,255 in Tbilisi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Nuku'alofa but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Nuku'alofa the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Nuku'alofa?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Tbilisi or Nuku'alofa safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Nuku'alofa are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Tbilisi or Nuku'alofa?
Expats usually find Nuku'alofa gentler on the wallet – expenses run 24% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.