Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Raleigh, NC Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Raleigh, NC

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,209 per month in Tbilisi vs $2,856 in Raleigh, NC, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,867 per month in Tbilisi vs $4,197 in Raleigh, NC, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,526 per month in Tbilisi vs $5,538 in Raleigh, NC, rent included.

Tbilisi is about 58% cheaper than Raleigh, NC, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Tbilisi sits 10% below the global median, while Raleigh, NC is 113% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Raleigh, NC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.80 ₾28.71
$19.74 $19.74
-45.29%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.18 ₾115
$73.6 $73.6
-41.31%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.29 ₾22.04
$9.90 $9.90
-16.26%
Cappuccino
$3.00 ₾7.97
$5.32 $5.32
-43.61%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.82 ₾2.17
$2.28 $2.28
-64.04%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46 ₾1.21
$2.06 $2.06
-77.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.23 ₾5.93
$5.68 $5.68
-60.74%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92 ₾7.75
$5.92 $5.92
-50.68%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Raleigh, NC
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.93 ₾5.12
$0.85 $0.85
127.06%
White Bread (500g)
$0.68 ₾1.81
$4.20 $4.20
-83.81%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.88 ₾5.00
$3.16 $3.16
-40.51%
Eggs
$2.54 ₾6.74
$4.70 $4.70
-45.96%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.42 ₾19.70
$13.65 $13.65
-45.64%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.19 ₾16.44
$11.54 $11.54
-46.36%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.36 ₾24.87
$16.34 $16.34
-42.72%
Apples (1kg)
$1.22 ₾3.25
$6.80 $6.80
-82.06%
Banana (1kg)
$1.66 ₾4.40
$1.47 $1.47
12.93%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.80 ₾4.78
$5.81 $5.81
-69.02%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.24 ₾5.96
$6.08 $6.08
-63.16%
Potato (1kg)
$0.71 ₾1.89
$3.59 $3.59
-80.22%
Onion (1kg)
$0.67 ₾1.79
$4.14 $4.14
-83.82%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.18 ₾3.13
$2.17 $2.17
-45.62%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66 ₾1.76
$2.17 $2.17
-69.59%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.98 ₾7.91
$7.65 $7.65
-61.05%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.61 ₾20.22
$15.24 $15.24
-50.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54 ₾4.08
$2.04 $2.04
-24.51%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25 ₾5.99
$3.12 $3.12
-27.88%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Raleigh, NC
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.36 ₾0.95
$2.03 $2.03
-82.27%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$14.44 ₾38.38
$45.10 $45.10
-67.98%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.49 ₾3.97
$2.53 $2.53
-41.11%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.68 ₾1.82
$1.72 $1.72
-60.47%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.23 ₾19.20
$15.02 $15.02
-51.86%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.14 ₾3.04
$0.79 $0.79
44.30%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.5K ₾49.1K
$29.6K $29.6K
-37.57%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.0K ₾53.1K
$26.6K $26.6K
-24.80%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Raleigh, NC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$73.7 ₾196
$185 $185
-60.08%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.64 ₾30.92
$64.6 $64.6
-81.98%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.84 ₾47.41
$69.6 $69.6
-74.38%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Raleigh, NC
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$60.1 ₾160
$40.48 $40.48
48.54%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.80 ₾44.65
$33.46 $33.46
-49.79%
Cinema Ticket
$6.60 ₾17.55
$14.96 $14.96
-55.88%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Raleigh, NC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$266 ₾708
$1,496 $1,496
-82.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,191 ₾13.8K
$24.3K $24.3K
-78.68%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Raleigh, NC
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.7 ₾206
$50.9 $50.9
52.71%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.75 ₾119
$47.51 $47.51
-5.81%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$117 ₾310
$102 $102
14.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 ₾300
$141 $141
-19.75%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Raleigh, NC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$693 ₾1,840
$1,846 $1,846
-62.47%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$462 ₾1,227
$1,592 $1,592
-71.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,320 ₾3,507
$2,962 $2,962
-55.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$774 ₾2,057
$2,426 $2,426
-68.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,430 ₾6,458
$3,863 $3,863
-37.08%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,446 ₾3,842
$2,225 $2,225
-35.03%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Raleigh, NC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$673 ₾1,788
$4,309 $4,309
-84.39%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.89
6.53
82.08%

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

Last update for Tbilisi: May 31, 2026

Last update for Raleigh, NC: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $693 in Tbilisi versus $1,846 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 run about 540% higher in Raleigh, NC, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $43.00 in Tbilisi versus $74.0 in Raleigh, NC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $203 vs $427 – making Tbilisi the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 136% more than Tbilisi, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 vs Raleigh, NC?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,813 per month in Tbilisi and $4,284 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. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How expensive is transport in Tbilisi vs Raleigh, NC?
Public transport costs about 212% less in Tbilisi. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Tbilisi and Raleigh, NC?
Kindergarten costs $266 per month in Tbilisi and $1,496 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 Raleigh, NC?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Tbilisi, where all-in costs run around $1,209, than in Raleigh, NC at $2,856. 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 digital nomads, Tbilisi or Raleigh, NC?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Tbilisi costs $1,209 versus $2,856 in Raleigh, NC. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Tbilisi compared to Raleigh, NC?
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 Raleigh, NC?
If budget matters most, go with Tbilisi. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, 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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