🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,286 in Tbilisi versus $3,608 in Oakland, CA.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,044 in Tbilisi versus $5,505 in Oakland, CA.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,802 in Tbilisi versus $7,401 in Oakland, CA.
🌍Living in Tbilisi costs roughly 64% less than in Oakland, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Tbilisi is 6% below, Oakland, CA is 163% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Oakland, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.72₾30.58
$25.47$25.47
-53.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.88₾98.9
$122$122
-68.88%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.74₾25.43
$11.78$11.78
-17.32%
Cappuccino
$3.41₾8.91
$5.33$5.33
-36.02%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.06₾2.77
$3.37$3.37
-68.55%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65₾1.69
$2.14$2.14
-69.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.70₾7.06
$8.08$8.08
-66.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10₾8.09
$8.04$8.04
-61.44%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Oakland, CA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.20₾5.74
$1.38$1.38
59.42%
White Bread(500g)
$0.81₾2.10
$4.85$4.85
-83.30%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.64₾4.27
$6.84$6.84
-76.02%
Eggs
$2.75₾7.19
$7.08$7.08
-61.16%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.01₾23.52
$22.16$22.16
-59.34%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.55₾17.10
$16.68$16.68
-60.73%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.62₾32.94
$15.70$15.70
-19.62%
Apples(1kg)
$1.67₾4.36
$6.75$6.75
-75.26%
Banana(1kg)
$1.81₾4.73
$2.14$2.14
-15.42%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93₾5.04
$6.36$6.36
-69.65%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.59₾6.76
$6.10$6.10
-57.54%
Potato(1kg)
$0.87₾2.26
$4.97$4.97
-82.49%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65₾1.69
$3.13$3.13
-79.23%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.39₾3.63
$2.37$2.37
-41.35%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80₾2.08
$3.32$3.32
-75.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.36₾8.78
$11.76$11.76
-71.43%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.54₾19.68
$12.04$12.04
-37.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.61₾4.21
$1.70$1.70
-5.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25₾5.86
$3.02$3.02
-25.50%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Oakland, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.37₾0.96
$2.69$2.69
-86.25%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.11₾39.45
$84.8$84.8
-82.19%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.17₾3.06
$3.15$3.15
-62.86%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.80₾2.09
$2.42$2.42
-66.94%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.33₾29.58
$40.46$40.46
-72.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.33₾3.47
$1.42$1.42
-6.34%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.0K₾65.2K
$37.4K$37.4K
-33.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.4K₾58.4K
$26.5K$26.5K
-15.62%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Oakland, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$89.1₾233
$191$191
-53.37%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.25₾34.58
$60.6$60.6
-78.13%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.46₾50.8
$66.2$66.2
-70.60%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Oakland, CA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.4₾179
$40.02$40.02
70.96%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.68₾48.77
$13.26$13.26
40.87%
Cinema Ticket
$6.63₾17.32
$17.22$17.22
-61.50%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Oakland, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$363₾949
$2,780$2,780
-86.92%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7K₾27.8K
$38.1K$38.1K
-72.00%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Oakland, CA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104₾270
$77.6$77.6
33.35%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.84₾101
$54.9$54.9
-29.28%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$117₾304
$117$117
-0.53%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123₾320
$147$147
-16.37%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Oakland, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$682₾1,782
$2,443$2,443
-72.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$447₾1,166
$2,080$2,080
-78.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,284₾3,353
$4,322$4,322
-70.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$920₾2,401
$3,727$3,727
-75.32%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,487₾6,492
$7,856$7,856
-68.34%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,423₾3,715
$5,774$5,774
-75.36%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Oakland, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$646₾1,686
$5,242$5,242
-87.68%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.73
6.1
108.69%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: August 31, 2026
Last update for Oakland, CA: August 29, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $682 in Tbilisi and $2,443 in Oakland, CA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Oakland, CA pays 712% 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: $38.00 in Tbilisi vs $122 in Oakland, CA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $232 vs $527 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 Oakland, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tbilisi and in Oakland, CA?
Tbilisi and Oakland, CA differ by about 181% in total monthly costs ($1,286 vs $3,608 including rent). Tbilisi 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 712% lower in Oakland, CA. 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 Oakland, CA?
Rent for a central apartment: $682 in Tbilisi versus $2,443 in Oakland, CA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 127% higher in Oakland, CA. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Tbilisi – a meal for two runs $38.00 versus $122 in Oakland, CA. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,286 in Tbilisi versus $3,608 in Oakland, CA, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tbilisi but tight or insufficient in Oakland, CA. The gap between the two cities makes Tbilisi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Oakland, CA?
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 Oakland, CA safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Oakland, 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.
Where should expats move: Tbilisi or Oakland, CA?
Expats usually find Tbilisi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 181% less than in Oakland, CA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.