Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Raleigh, NC

For one person, living is cheaper in Tbilisi: $1,269 a month against $2,643 in Raleigh, NC, rent and utilities included – about $16,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Tbilisi, Georgia
Raleigh, NC, United States
Tbilisi
🇬🇪 Georgia
$1,269
/mo nomad
Raleigh, NC
🇺🇸 United States
$2,643
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Tbilisi and in Raleigh, NC

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Tbilisi and in Raleigh, NC actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,269 per month in Tbilisi vs $2,643 in Raleigh, NC, rent included.

  • Tbilisi $1,269
  • Raleigh, NC $2,643

A couple spends around $2,016 per month in Tbilisi vs $3,817 in Raleigh, NC, rent included.

  • Tbilisi $2,016
  • Raleigh, NC $3,817

A family of three spends $2,763 per month in Tbilisi vs $4,991 in Raleigh, NC, rent included.

  • Tbilisi $2,763
  • Raleigh, NC $4,991

Tbilisi is about 52% cheaper than Raleigh, NC, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Tbilisi sits 7% below the global median, while Raleigh, NC is 94% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Raleigh, NC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.63 ₾30.07
$21.90 $21.90
-46.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.83 ₾97.8
$88.4 $88.4
-57.23%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.66 ₾24.98
$11.44 $11.44
-15.56%
Cappuccino
$3.57 ₾9.24
$5.60 $5.60
-36.25%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.08 ₾2.78
$2.83 $2.83
-61.84%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.56 ₾1.45
$2.16 $2.16
-74.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.62 ₾6.78
$6.12 $6.12
-57.19%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.04 ₾7.85
$6.94 $6.94
-56.20%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Raleigh, NC
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.17 ₾5.60
$0.88 $0.88
146.59%
White Bread (500g)
$0.80 ₾2.06
$3.79 $3.79
-78.89%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.74 ₾4.51
$3.17 $3.17
-45.11%
Eggs
$2.83 ₾7.31
$4.78 $4.78
-40.79%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.31 ₾24.07
$15.10 $15.10
-38.34%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.52 ₾16.85
$9.74 $9.74
-33.06%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.95 ₾33.50
$17.81 $17.81
-27.29%
Apples (1kg)
$1.68 ₾4.33
$6.61 $6.61
-74.58%
Banana (1kg)
$1.85 ₾4.79
$1.26 $1.26
46.83%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.97 ₾5.10
$4.45 $4.45
-55.73%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.42 ₾6.25
$5.75 $5.75
-57.91%
Potato (1kg)
$0.82 ₾2.11
$2.91 $2.91
-71.82%
Onion (1kg)
$0.74 ₾1.91
$3.61 $3.61
-79.50%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.34 ₾3.47
$2.16 $2.16
-37.96%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.77 ₾2.00
$2.21 $2.21
-65.16%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.57 ₾9.24
$8.64 $8.64
-58.68%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.67 ₾19.83
$15.11 $15.11
-49.24%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70 ₾4.39
$2.24 $2.24
-24.11%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40 ₾6.21
$2.74 $2.74
-12.41%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Raleigh, NC
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.40 ₾1.05
$1.22 $1.22
-67.21%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$15.23 ₾39.38
$40.38 $40.38
-62.28%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.14 ₾2.95
$2.92 $2.92
-60.96%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.78 ₾2.02
$1.92 $1.92
-59.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.83 ₾30.58
$17.79 $17.79
-33.50%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ₾3.75
$1.01 $1.01
43.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K ₾63.6K
$30.8K $30.8K
-20.25%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.3K ₾57.8K
$25.8K $25.8K
-13.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Raleigh, NC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$88.8 ₾230
$185 $185
-52.10%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.12 ₾33.93
$56.7 $56.7
-76.87%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.67 ₾50.9
$68.5 $68.5
-71.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Raleigh, NC
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$64.1 ₾166
$33.01 $33.01
94.03%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04 ₾49.24
$5.90 $5.90
222.71%
Cinema Ticket
$7.12 ₾18.42
$14.74 $14.74
-51.70%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Raleigh, NC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$375 ₾971
$1,317 $1,317
-71.50%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.5K ₾27.1K
$24.0K $24.0K
-56.32%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Raleigh, NC
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104 ₾268
$60.5 $60.5
71.39%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.26 ₾102
$55.7 $55.7
-29.55%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$117 ₾303
$102 $102
15.14%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122 ₾315
$159 $159
-23.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Raleigh, NC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$695 ₾1,798
$1,715 $1,715
-59.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$451 ₾1,167
$1,290 $1,290
-65.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,355 ₾3,504
$2,825 $2,825
-52.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$906 ₾2,343
$1,915 $1,915
-52.69%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,295 ₾5,934
$4,556 $4,556
-49.64%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,345 ₾3,478
$2,115 $2,115
-36.42%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Raleigh, NC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$664 ₾1,718
$4,605 $4,605
-85.57%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12.62
6.61
90.92%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Tbilisi: October 27, 2026

Last update for Raleigh, NC: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
$451
Raleigh, NC
$1.3K 186% $839
Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
$234
Raleigh, NC
$411 75.7% $177
Eating Out
Tbilisi
$191
Raleigh, NC
$341 79% $151
Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
$172
Raleigh, NC
$170 1.3% $2.3
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
$122
Raleigh, NC
$311 155% $189
Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
$78
Raleigh, NC
$62 20.2% $16
Getting Around
Tbilisi
$22
Raleigh, NC
$58 164% $36

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $695 in Tbilisi versus $1,715 in Raleigh, NC. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Raleigh, NC are about 6.9 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $38 in Tbilisi versus $88 in Raleigh, NC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $234 vs $411 – making Tbilisi the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇬🇪 Tbilisi
🇺🇸 Raleigh, NC
🕒 Local time
22:23 10:23 PM
13:23 1:23 PM
9 h behind Tbilisi
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,241,700 Capital
431,746
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to GEL – Georgian Lari Converter

Georgian Lari exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 2.59 GEL (1 GEL = 0.387 USD). 1 EUR = 2.89 GEL (1 GEL = 0.346 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.896 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Tbilisi Raleigh, NC 9,660 km ≈ 13 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Tbilisi
  • Raleigh, NC

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Raleigh, NC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tbilisi or Raleigh, NC?
Raleigh, NC costs about 108% more than Tbilisi, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 Raleigh, NC?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,904 per month in Tbilisi and $3,964 in Raleigh, NC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Tbilisi or Raleigh, NC?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Tbilisi, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $695 there versus $1,715 in Raleigh, NC.
How expensive is transport in Tbilisi compared to Raleigh, NC?
Public transport costs about 62% less in Tbilisi. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Tbilisi and in Raleigh, NC?
Kindergarten costs $375 per month in Tbilisi and $1,317 in Raleigh, NC. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Tbilisi or in Raleigh, NC?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Tbilisi, where all-in costs run around $1,269, than in Raleigh, NC at $2,643. In Tbilisi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Raleigh, NC it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Tbilisi – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Should I move to Tbilisi or to Raleigh, NC?
If budget matters most, go with Tbilisi. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Raleigh, NC makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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