😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,247 in Tbilisi versus $634 in Pekanbaru.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,025 in Tbilisi versus $989 in Pekanbaru.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,803 in Tbilisi versus $1,343 in Pekanbaru.
🌍Living in Tbilisi is roughly 97% more expensive than in Pekanbaru, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi9% lower, Pekanbaru54% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Pekanbaru
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.33₾29.45
$1.45Rp 25.7K
681.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.71₾101
$8.36Rp 148.0K
363.04%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.52₾24.73
$2.26Rp 40.0K
321.24%
Cappuccino
$3.41₾8.85
$1.31Rp 23.1K
160.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04₾2.71
$0.42Rp 7,464
147.62%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64₾1.66
$0.22Rp 3,887
190.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.61₾6.79
$1.92Rp 34.0K
35.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24₾8.43
$3.09Rp 54.8K
4.85%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Pekanbaru
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.17₾5.65
$1.38Rp 24.4K
57.25%
White Bread(500g)
$0.74₾1.92
$1.14Rp 20.3K
-35.09%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71₾4.45
$0.89Rp 15.7K
92.13%
Eggs
$2.83₾7.36
$1.68Rp 29.8K
68.45%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.22₾23.95
$7.37Rp 130.5K
25.10%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.76₾17.55
$2.54Rp 45.1K
166.14%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.77₾33.17
$6.72Rp 119.1K
90.03%
Apples(1kg)
$1.64₾4.26
$2.75Rp 48.7K
-40.36%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77₾4.60
$1.66Rp 29.5K
6.63%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87₾4.85
$2.44Rp 43.2K
-23.36%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.44₾6.34
$1.25Rp 22.1K
95.20%
Potato(1kg)
$0.87₾2.25
$1.33Rp 23.5K
-34.59%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65₾1.70
$2.01Rp 35.7K
-67.66%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40₾3.64
$0.73Rp 12.9K
91.78%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74₾1.93
$0.39Rp 6,991
89.74%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.41₾8.86
$2.11Rp 37.3K
61.61%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.60₾19.75
$20.66Rp 365.8K
-63.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70₾4.41
$1.91Rp 33.8K
-10.99%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38₾6.20
$2.92Rp 51.7K
-18.49%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Pekanbaru
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.94
$0.27Rp 4,778
33.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.24₾39.60
$8.44Rp 149.4K
80.57%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.18₾3.07
$0.93Rp 16.5K
26.88%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.76₾1.97
$0.37Rp 6,527
105.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.34₾29.47
$2.97Rp 52.5K
281.82%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.33₾3.46
$0.72Rp 12.7K
84.72%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7K₾64.2K
$22.8KRp 403.0M
8.64%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0K₾57.2K
$27.4KRp 485.0M
-19.59%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Pekanbaru
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.9₾231
$65.2Rp 1.2M
36.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.33₾34.63
$6.29Rp 111.4K
111.92%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12₾52.3
$23.94Rp 423.9K
-15.96%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Pekanbaru
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.7₾178
$28.75Rp 509.1K
138.85%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.09₾47.01
$8.36Rp 148.1K
116.39%
Cinema Ticket
$6.72₾17.46
$3.05Rp 54.0K
120.33%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Pekanbaru
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$374₾971
$96.6Rp 1.7M
286.73%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7K₾27.8K
$7,970Rp 141.1M
34.22%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Pekanbaru
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$101₾263
$27.32Rp 483.8K
270.46%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.33₾102
$29.79Rp 527.4K
32.02%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾305
$56.5Rp 999.9K
108.11%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122₾318
$82.0Rp 1.5M
49.15%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Pekanbaru
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$682₾1,773
$208Rp 3.7M
228.03%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$456₾1,186
$157Rp 2.8M
190.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,303₾3,385
$556Rp 9.8M
134.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$899₾2,337
$374Rp 6.6M
140.61%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,449₾6,365
$1,357Rp 24.0M
80.46%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,452₾3,774
$659Rp 11.7M
120.46%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Pekanbaru
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$652₾1,695
$179Rp 3.2M
265.19%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.62
9.46
33.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026
Last update for Pekanbaru: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $682 in Tbilisi and $208 in Pekanbaru. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Tbilisi pays 265% 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: $39.00 in Tbilisi vs $8.00 in Pekanbaru for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $232 vs $203 per month, with Pekanbaru 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 Pekanbaru: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pekanbaru cheaper than Tbilisi?
Pekanbaru is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 97% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Tbilisi or Pekanbaru?
Average pay runs 265% higher in Tbilisi, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Tbilisi and Pekanbaru?
Rent for a central apartment: $682 in Tbilisi versus $208 in Pekanbaru. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Tbilisi or in Pekanbaru?
Dining out is cheaper in Pekanbaru – a meal for two runs $8.00 versus $39.00 in Tbilisi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Tbilisi and in Pekanbaru?
All in, you'll spend $1,247 per month in Tbilisi versus $634 in Pekanbaru – a 97% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Tbilisi or in Pekanbaru?
At $634 in Pekanbaru versus $1,247 in Tbilisi, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Pekanbaru but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Pekanbaru the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Tbilisi or Pekanbaru more family-friendly?
For families, Pekanbaru 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 Pekanbaru?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Pekanbaru 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 Pekanbaru gentler on the wallet – expenses run 97% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.