😐A single person spends $1,191 per month in Tbilisi vs $315 in Punakha, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,856 per month in Tbilisi vs $467 in Punakha, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,522 per month in Tbilisi vs $619 in Punakha, rent included.
😐Tbilisi costs about 278% more than Punakha, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Tbilisi and Punakha are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi11% lower, Punakha76% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Punakha
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.91₾28.56
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.19₾113
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.53₾22.31
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.99₾7.81
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.81₾2.12
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42₾1.09
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.16₾5.65
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88₾7.52
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Punakha
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.94₾5.08
$0.83BTN 70.3
133.73%
White Bread(500g)
$0.68₾1.77
$0.50BTN 42.58
36.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.85₾4.83
$0.67BTN 56.2
176.12%
Eggs
$2.53₾6.62
$1.66BTN 140
52.41%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.53₾19.69
$4.93BTN 416
52.74%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.26₾16.39
$3.02BTN 255
107.28%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.59₾25.09
$3.53BTN 298
171.67%
Apples(1kg)
$1.16₾3.04
$4.07BTN 343
-71.50%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64₾4.29
$2.37BTN 200
-30.80%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.88₾4.93
$2.35BTN 198
-20.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.23₾5.84
$0.79BTN 67.1
182.28%
Potato(1kg)
$0.70₾1.83
$0.53BTN 45.04
32.08%
Onion(1kg)
$0.64₾1.68
$0.94BTN 79.4
-31.91%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18₾3.09
$0.28BTN 23.52
321.43%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70₾1.83
$0.49BTN 41.55
42.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.97₾7.78
$3.52BTN 297
-15.62%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.43₾19.45
$3.22BTN 272
130.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54₾4.03
$0.76BTN 64.5
102.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28₾5.98
$1.31BTN 111
74.05%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Punakha
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.93
$2.40BTN 202
-85.00%
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
Punakha
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
$17.83BTN 1,505
-1.29%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Punakha
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
Punakha
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
Punakha
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.1₾202
$26.31BTN 2,221
193.08%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.48₾114
$11.43BTN 965
280.40%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾310
$55.7BTN 4,699
112.67%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113₾295
$41.52BTN 3,505
171.53%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Punakha
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$709₾1,856
$107BTN 9,026
563.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$465₾1,215
$93.1BTN 7,862
398.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,316₾3,442
$105BTN 8,895
1148.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$767₾2,007
$137BTN 11.5K
461.14%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,492₾6,522
$3,078BTN 259.8K
-19.01%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,442₾3,773
$2,907BTN 245.4K
-50.39%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Punakha
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$663₾1,735
$236BTN 20.0K
180.45%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
0
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CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: July 25, 2026
Last update for Punakha: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $709 in Tbilisi versus $107 in Punakha. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 180% higher in Tbilisi, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
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 Punakha: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tbilisi or Punakha?
Tbilisi costs about 278% more than Punakha, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Tbilisi and in Punakha?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,787 per month in Tbilisi and $472 in Punakha. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Tbilisi or Punakha?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Punakha, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Tbilisi compared to Punakha?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,191 in Tbilisi and $315 in Punakha. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Are groceries more expensive in Tbilisi or in Punakha?
Groceries cost about 52% more in Tbilisi, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Tbilisi or in Punakha?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Punakha, where all-in costs run around $315, than in Tbilisi at $1,191. In Punakha it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tbilisi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Tbilisi or Punakha?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Punakha costs $315 versus $1,191 in Tbilisi. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Tbilisi compared to Punakha?
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.
Should I move to Tbilisi or to Punakha?
If budget matters most, go with Punakha. 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.