😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,247 in Tbilisi versus $827 in Phoenix.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,025 in Tbilisi versus $1,317 in Phoenix.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,803 in Tbilisi versus $1,807 in Phoenix.
🌍Living in Tbilisi is roughly 51% more expensive than in Phoenix, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi9% lower, Phoenix40% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Phoenix
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.33₾29.45
$2.18MUR 103
419.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.71₾101
$31.64MUR 1,491
22.35%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.52₾24.73
$7.47MUR 352
27.44%
Cappuccino
$3.41₾8.85
$5.37MUR 253
-36.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04₾2.71
$0.61MUR 28.66
70.49%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64₾1.66
$0.52MUR 24.50
23.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.61₾6.79
$2.07MUR 97.6
26.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24₾8.43
$5.38MUR 253
-39.78%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Phoenix
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.17₾5.65
$1.45MUR 68.1
49.66%
White Bread(500g)
$0.74₾1.92
$0.40MUR 18.95
85.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71₾4.45
$2.14MUR 101
-20.09%
Eggs
$2.83₾7.36
$5.11MUR 241
-44.62%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.22₾23.95
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.76₾17.55
$8.64MUR 407
-21.76%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.77₾33.17
$6.30MUR 297
102.70%
Apples(1kg)
$1.64₾4.26
$7.57MUR 357
-78.34%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77₾4.60
$3.87MUR 182
-54.26%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87₾4.85
$4.62MUR 218
-59.52%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.44₾6.34
$1.45MUR 68.3
68.28%
Potato(1kg)
$0.87₾2.25
$0.82MUR 38.83
6.10%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65₾1.70
$0.84MUR 39.51
-22.62%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40₾3.64
$0.73MUR 34.37
91.78%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74₾1.93
$0.76MUR 35.62
-2.63%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.41₾8.86
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$7.60₾19.75
$10.70MUR 504
-28.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70₾4.41
$2.11MUR 99.3
-19.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38₾6.20
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Phoenix
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.94
$1.07MUR 50.5
-66.36%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.24₾39.60
$10.62MUR 501
43.50%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.18₾3.07
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.76₾1.97
$1.52MUR 71.6
-50.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.34₾29.47
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.33₾3.46
$1.35MUR 63.7
-1.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7K₾64.2K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0K₾57.2K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Phoenix
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.9₾231
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.33₾34.63
$14.28MUR 673
-6.65%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12₾52.3
$25.74MUR 1,213
-21.83%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Phoenix
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.7₾178
$25.18MUR 1,187
172.72%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.09₾47.01
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.72₾17.46
$5.47MUR 258
22.85%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Phoenix
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$374₾971
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7K₾27.8K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Phoenix
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$101₾263
$52.6MUR 2,479
92.45%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.33₾102
$52.0MUR 2,452
-24.41%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾305
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122₾318
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Phoenix
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$682₾1,773
$534MUR 25.2K
27.78%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$456₾1,186
$322MUR 15.2K
41.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,303₾3,385
$832MUR 39.2K
56.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$899₾2,337
$533MUR 25.1K
68.68%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,449₾6,365
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,452₾3,774
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Phoenix
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$652₾1,695
$961MUR 45.3K
-32.15%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.62
5
152.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026
Last update for Phoenix: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $682 in Tbilisi and $534 in Phoenix. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Phoenix pays 47% 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 $32.00 in Phoenix. Groceries flip the comparison at $232 vs $244, with Tbilisi cheaper for home cooking.
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 Phoenix: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tbilisi and in Phoenix?
Tbilisi and Phoenix differ by about 51% in total monthly costs ($1,247 vs $827 including rent). Phoenix 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 47% lower in Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?
Rent for a central apartment: $682 in Tbilisi versus $534 in Phoenix. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Tbilisi pay roughly 5% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more expensive overall: Tbilisi or Phoenix?
All in, you'll spend $1,247 per month in Tbilisi versus $827 in Phoenix – a 51% 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 $827 in Phoenix versus $1,247 in Tbilisi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Phoenix but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Phoenix the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Phoenix?
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 Phoenix safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Phoenix 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 Phoenix?
Expats usually find Phoenix gentler on the wallet – expenses run 51% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.