Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Rapid City, SD

For one person, living is cheaper in Tbilisi: $1,269 a month against $2,431 in Rapid City, SD, rent and utilities included – about $13,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Tbilisi, Georgia
Rapid City, SD, United States
Tbilisi
🇬🇪 Georgia
$1,269
/mo nomad
Rapid City, SD
🇺🇸 United States
$2,431
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Tbilisi and in Rapid City, SD

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 Rapid City, SD actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,269 per month in Tbilisi vs $2,431 in Rapid City, SD, rent included.

  • Tbilisi $1,269
  • Rapid City, SD $2,431

A couple spends around $2,016 per month in Tbilisi vs $3,376 in Rapid City, SD, rent included.

  • Tbilisi $2,016
  • Rapid City, SD $3,376

A family of three spends $2,763 per month in Tbilisi vs $4,320 in Rapid City, SD, rent included.

  • Tbilisi $2,763
  • Rapid City, SD $4,320

Tbilisi is about 48% cheaper than Rapid City, SD, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Tbilisi sits 7% below the global median, while Rapid City, SD is 79% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Rapid City, SD
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.63 ₾30.07
$17.22 $17.22
-32.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.83 ₾97.8
$61.6 $61.6
-38.54%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.66 ₾24.98
$10.88 $10.88
-11.21%
Cappuccino
$3.57 ₾9.24
$5.66 $5.66
-36.93%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.08 ₾2.78
$2.33 $2.33
-53.65%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.56 ₾1.45
$1.71 $1.71
-67.25%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.62 ₾6.78
$4.02 $4.02
-34.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.04 ₾7.85
$5.43 $5.43
-44.01%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Rapid City, SD
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.17 ₾5.60
$1.07 $1.07
102.80%
White Bread (500g)
$0.80 ₾2.06
$3.12 $3.12
-74.36%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.74 ₾4.51
$1.94 $1.94
-10.31%
Eggs
$2.83 ₾7.31
$4.36 $4.36
-35.09%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.31 ₾24.07
$13.35 $13.35
-30.26%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.52 ₾16.85
$8.16 $8.16
-20.10%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.95 ₾33.50
$12.60 $12.60
2.78%
Apples (1kg)
$1.68 ₾4.34
$3.53 $3.53
-52.41%
Banana (1kg)
$1.85 ₾4.79
$1.29 $1.29
43.41%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.97 ₾5.10
$2.60 $2.60
-24.23%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.42 ₾6.25
$3.74 $3.74
-35.29%
Potato (1kg)
$0.82 ₾2.11
$1.87 $1.87
-56.15%
Onion (1kg)
$0.74 ₾1.91
$2.62 $2.62
-71.76%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.34 ₾3.47
$2.09 $2.09
-35.89%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.77 ₾2.00
$2.95 $2.95
-73.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.57 ₾9.24
$9.78 $9.78
-63.50%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.67 ₾19.83
$13.94 $13.94
-44.98%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70 ₾4.39
$1.76 $1.76
-3.41%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40 ₾6.21
$4.89 $4.89
-50.92%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Rapid City, SD
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.40 ₾1.05
$1.47 $1.47
-72.79%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$15.23 ₾39.38
$30.31 $30.31
-49.75%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.14 ₾2.95
$2.98 $2.98
-61.74%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.78 ₾2.02
$1.21 $1.21
-35.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.83 ₾30.58
$25.35 $25.35
-53.33%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ₾3.75
$0.87 $0.87
66.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K ₾63.6K
$35.4K $35.4K
-30.52%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.3K ₾57.8K
$31.7K $31.7K
-29.58%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Rapid City, SD
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$88.8 ₾230
$194 $194
-54.17%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.12 ₾33.93
$46.70 $46.70
-71.91%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.67 ₾50.9
$60.5 $60.5
-67.46%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Rapid City, SD
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$64.1 ₾166
$50.9 $50.9
25.93%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04 ₾49.24
$14.83 $14.83
28.39%
Cinema Ticket
$7.12 ₾18.42
$11.79 $11.79
-39.61%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Rapid City, SD
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$375 ₾971
$767 $767
-51.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.5K ₾27.1K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Rapid City, SD
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104 ₾268
$62.6 $62.6
65.45%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.26 ₾102
$75.4 $75.4
-47.93%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$117 ₾303
$77.6 $77.6
51.18%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122 ₾315
$111 $111
9.91%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Rapid City, SD
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$695 ₾1,798
$973 $973
-28.54%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$451 ₾1,167
$1,237 $1,237
-63.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,355 ₾3,504
$1,751 $1,751
-22.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$906 ₾2,343
$1,729 $1,729
-47.61%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,295 ₾5,934
$2,637 $2,637
-12.97%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,345 ₾3,478
$2,608 $2,608
-48.44%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Rapid City, SD
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$664 ₾1,718
$3,923 $3,923
-83.07%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12.62
6.44
95.96%

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

Last update for Tbilisi: October 27, 2026

Last update for Rapid City, SD: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
$451
Rapid City, SD
$1.2K 174% $786
Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
$234
Rapid City, SD
$341 45.9% $107
Eating Out
Tbilisi
$191
Rapid City, SD
$285 49.8% $95
Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
$172
Rapid City, SD
$147 14.5% $25
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
$122
Rapid City, SD
$301 148% $179
Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
$78
Rapid City, SD
$74 4.9% $3.8
Getting Around
Tbilisi
$22
Rapid City, SD
$45 106% $23

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $695 in Tbilisi versus $973 in Rapid City, SD. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Rapid City, SD are about 5.9 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $38 in Tbilisi versus $62 in Rapid City, SD. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $234 vs $341 – making Tbilisi the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇬🇪 Tbilisi
🇺🇸 Rapid City, SD
🕒 Local time
20:06 8:06 PM
10:06 10:06 AM
10 h behind Tbilisi
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,241,700 Capital
74,703
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to GEL – Georgian Lari Converter

Georgian Lari exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 2.59 GEL (1 GEL = 0.387 USD). 1 EUR = 2.88 GEL (1 GEL = 0.347 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.11 USD (1 USD = 0.899 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Tbilisi Rapid City, SD 9,960 km ≈ 13 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Tbilisi
  • Rapid City, SD

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 Rapid City, SD: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tbilisi or Rapid City, SD?
Rapid City, SD costs about 92% 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 Rapid City, SD?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,904 per month in Tbilisi and $3,646 in Rapid City, SD. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Tbilisi or Rapid City, SD?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Tbilisi, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $695 there versus $973 in Rapid City, SD.
How do dining costs compare in Tbilisi and in Rapid City, SD?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $38 in Tbilisi and $62 in Rapid City, SD. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Tbilisi compared to Rapid City, SD?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,269 in Tbilisi and $2,431 in Rapid City, SD. That’s a gap of about 92%.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Tbilisi or in Rapid City, SD?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Tbilisi, where all-in costs run around $1,269, than in Rapid City, SD at $2,431. In Tbilisi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Rapid City, SD 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 Rapid City, SD?
If budget matters most, go with Tbilisi. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Rapid City, SD makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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