😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,247 in Tbilisi versus $1,237 in Rio de Janeiro.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,025 in Tbilisi versus $1,799 in Rio de Janeiro.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,803 in Tbilisi versus $2,360 in Rio de Janeiro.
🌍Living in Tbilisi is roughly 1% more expensive than in Rio de Janeiro, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi9% lower, Rio de Janeiro10% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Rio de Janeiro
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.33₾29.44
$9.14R$46.85
23.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.71₾101
$38.73R$198
-0.05%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.52₾24.72
$8.05R$41.25
18.26%
Cappuccino
$3.41₾8.85
$2.24R$11.45
52.23%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04₾2.71
$1.58R$8.11
-34.18%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64₾1.66
$1.02R$5.24
-37.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.61₾6.79
$2.34R$11.99
11.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24₾8.43
$3.24R$16.61
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Rio de Janeiro
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.17₾5.65
$1.09R$5.61
99.08%
White Bread(500g)
$0.74₾1.92
$1.97R$10.12
-62.44%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71₾4.45
$1.36R$6.98
25.74%
Eggs
$2.83₾7.36
$2.28R$11.69
24.12%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.22₾23.95
$10.83R$55.5
-14.87%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.76₾17.55
$4.19R$21.50
61.34%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.77₾33.17
$9.62R$49.32
32.74%
Apples(1kg)
$1.64₾4.26
$2.63R$13.46
-37.64%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77₾4.60
$1.73R$8.86
2.31%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87₾4.85
$1.53R$7.86
22.22%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.44₾6.34
$1.84R$9.41
32.61%
Potato(1kg)
$0.87₾2.25
$1.23R$6.32
-29.27%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65₾1.70
$1.00R$5.14
-35.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40₾3.64
$0.74R$3.79
89.19%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74₾1.93
$0.61R$3.12
21.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.41₾8.86
$2.93R$15.04
16.38%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.60₾19.75
$9.00R$46.13
-15.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70₾4.41
$1.19R$6.09
42.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38₾6.20
$2.33R$11.93
2.15%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Rio de Janeiro
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.94
$0.93R$4.75
-61.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.24₾39.60
$49.48R$254
-69.20%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.18₾3.07
$1.19R$6.09
-0.84%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.76₾1.97
$0.84R$4.28
-9.52%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.34₾29.46
$9.03R$46.26
25.58%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.33₾3.46
$1.28R$6.55
3.91%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7K₾64.2K
$23.0KR$117.7K
7.66%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0K₾57.2K
$32.1KR$164.5K
-31.39%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Rio de Janeiro
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.9₾231
$136R$696
-34.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.33₾34.63
$12.02R$61.6
10.90%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12₾52.3
$21.89R$112
-8.09%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Rio de Janeiro
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.7₾178
$30.08R$154
128.29%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.09₾47.00
$29.58R$152
-38.84%
Cinema Ticket
$6.72₾17.45
$7.94R$40.67
-15.37%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Rio de Janeiro
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$374₾971
$551R$2,822
-32.17%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7K₾27.8K
$13.3KR$68.2K
-19.66%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Rio de Janeiro
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$101₾263
$40.13R$206
152.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.33₾102
$46.79R$240
-15.94%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾305
$72.0R$369
63.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122₾318
$66.4R$340
84.27%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Rio de Janeiro
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$682₾1,773
$833R$4,266
-18.05%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$456₾1,186
$482R$2,468
-5.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,303₾3,384
$1,278R$6,551
1.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$899₾2,337
$702R$3,597
28.14%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,449₾6,364
$3,929R$20.1K
-37.66%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,452₾3,773
$1,477R$7,567
-1.65%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Rio de Janeiro
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$652₾1,695
$643R$3,294
1.50%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.62
11.93
5.78%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026
Last update for Rio de Janeiro: September 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $682 in Tbilisi and $833 in Rio de Janeiro. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Tbilisi pays 1% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $39.00 in Tbilisi vs $39.00 in Rio de Janeiro. Groceries flip the comparison at $232 vs $211, with Rio de Janeiro cheaper for home cooking.
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 Rio de Janeiro: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tbilisi and in Rio de Janeiro?
Tbilisi and Rio de Janeiro differ by about 1% in total monthly costs ($1,247 vs $1,237 including rent). Rio de Janeiro is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Tbilisi or Rio de Janeiro?
Average pay runs 1% higher in Tbilisi, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Tbilisi and in Rio de Janeiro?
Rent for a central apartment: $682 in Tbilisi versus $833 in Rio de Janeiro. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Rio de Janeiro – a meal for two runs $39.00 versus $39.00 in Tbilisi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Tbilisi or Rio de Janeiro?
All in, you'll spend $1,247 per month in Tbilisi versus $1,237 in Rio de Janeiro – a 1% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,237 in Rio de Janeiro versus $1,247 in Tbilisi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Rio de Janeiro but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Rio de Janeiro the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Rio de Janeiro?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Tbilisi or Rio de Janeiro safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Rio de Janeiro are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Tbilisi or Rio de Janeiro?
Expats usually find Rio de Janeiro gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.