Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and RiffaCost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Riffa
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $1,286 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,203 in Riffa, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,044 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,881 in Riffa, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,802 per month in Tbilisi vs $2,559 in Riffa, rent included.
😐Tbilisi costs about 7% more than Riffa, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Tbilisi and Riffa are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi6% lower, Riffa12% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Riffa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.72₾30.55
$6.58BHD 2.48
78.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.88₾98.8
$39.11BHD 14.74
-3.14%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.74₾25.41
$6.01BHD 2.27
62.06%
Cappuccino
$3.41₾8.90
$3.89BHD 1.47
-12.34%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.06₾2.76
$0.67BHD 0.25
58.21%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65₾1.69
$0.26BHD 0.10
150.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.70₾7.05
$6.73BHD 2.54
-59.88%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10₾8.08
$7.73BHD 2.91
-59.90%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Riffa
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.20₾5.73
$1.41BHD 0.53
56.03%
White Bread(500g)
$0.81₾2.10
$0.68BHD 0.26
19.12%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.64₾4.26
$1.84BHD 0.69
-10.87%
Eggs
$2.75₾7.18
$2.20BHD 0.83
25.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.01₾23.50
$8.14BHD 3.07
10.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.55₾17.09
$6.02BHD 2.27
8.80%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.62₾32.91
$8.64BHD 3.26
46.06%
Apples(1kg)
$1.67₾4.36
$2.36BHD 0.89
-29.24%
Banana(1kg)
$1.81₾4.73
$1.68BHD 0.63
7.74%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93₾5.03
$1.91BHD 0.72
1.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.59₾6.76
$1.03BHD 0.39
151.46%
Potato(1kg)
$0.87₾2.26
$1.06BHD 0.40
-17.92%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65₾1.68
$0.64BHD 0.24
1.56%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.39₾3.63
$0.55BHD 0.21
152.73%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80₾2.08
$0.51BHD 0.19
56.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.36₾8.78
$5.34BHD 2.01
-37.08%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.54₾19.66
$13.32BHD 5.02
-43.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.61₾4.21
$1.89BHD 0.71
-14.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25₾5.86
$2.60BHD 0.98
-13.46%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Riffa
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.37₾0.96
$0.82BHD 0.31
-54.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.11₾39.41
$36.36BHD 13.71
-58.44%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.17₾3.05
$5.25BHD 1.98
-77.71%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.80₾2.09
$3.50BHD 1.32
-77.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.33₾29.55
$10.52BHD 3.97
7.70%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.33₾3.47
$0.46BHD 0.17
189.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.0K₾65.2K
$23.0KBHD 8,667
8.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.4K₾58.4K
$20.2KBHD 7,633
10.55%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Riffa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$89.1₾232
$132BHD 49.87
-32.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.25₾34.55
$24.51BHD 9.24
-45.94%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.46₾50.8
$35.27BHD 13.30
-44.83%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Riffa
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.4₾178
$71.8BHD 27.06
-4.67%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.68₾48.73
$13.16BHD 4.96
41.95%
Cinema Ticket
$6.63₾17.30
$10.40BHD 3.92
-36.25%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Riffa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$363₾948
$498BHD 188
-27.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7K₾27.8K
$5,673BHD 2,139
87.91%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Riffa
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104₾270
$29.70BHD 11.20
248.52%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.84₾101
$21.27BHD 8.02
82.60%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$117₾304
$66.6BHD 25.09
75.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123₾320
$40.22BHD 15.16
205.25%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Riffa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$682₾1,780
$894BHD 337
-23.69%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$447₾1,165
$431BHD 162
3.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,284₾3,349
$1,544BHD 582
-16.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$920₾2,399
$872BHD 329
5.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,487₾6,486
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,423₾3,711
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Riffa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$646₾1,684
$1,379BHD 520
-53.15%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.73
5.5
131.45%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: August 31, 2026
Last update for Riffa: August 29, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $682 in Tbilisi versus $894 in Riffa. 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 113% higher in Riffa, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $38.00 in Tbilisi versus $39.00 in Riffa. Groceries tell a different story – $232 in Tbilisi vs $206 in Riffa – so Riffa wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Riffa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Riffa cheaper than Tbilisi?
Yes – Tbilisi is pricier by about 7%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,929 per month in Tbilisi and $1,805 in Riffa. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Riffa, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Tbilisi and in Riffa?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,286 in Tbilisi and $1,203 in Riffa. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
Public transport costs about 141% less in Riffa. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Tbilisi or in Riffa?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Riffa, where all-in costs run around $1,203, than in Tbilisi at $1,286. In Riffa it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tbilisi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Tbilisi or Riffa more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Riffa – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Tbilisi or Riffa?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Riffa. 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.