Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Sala Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Sala

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,191 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,478 in Sala, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,856 per month in Tbilisi vs $2,218 in Sala, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,522 per month in Tbilisi vs $2,957 in Sala, rent included.

Tbilisi is about 19% cheaper than Sala, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Tbilisi sits 11% below the global median, while Sala is 11% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Sala
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.91 ₾28.56
$12.53 SEK 119
-12.93%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.19 ₾113
$63.7 SEK 605
-32.20%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.53 ₾22.31
$10.20 SEK 96.9
-16.37%
Cappuccino
$2.99 ₾7.81
$3.19 SEK 30.28
-6.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.81 ₾2.12
$1.86 SEK 17.70
-56.45%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42 ₾1.09
$2.39 SEK 22.67
-82.43%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.16 ₾5.65
$7.42 SEK 70.5
-70.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88 ₾7.52
$7.24 SEK 68.8
-60.22%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Sala
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.94 ₾5.08
$1.78 SEK 16.87
8.99%
White Bread (500g)
$0.68 ₾1.77
$2.69 SEK 25.53
-74.72%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.85 ₾4.83
$3.63 SEK 34.44
-49.04%
Eggs
$2.53 ₾6.62
$3.86 SEK 36.68
-34.46%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.53 ₾19.69
$12.12 SEK 115
-37.87%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.26 ₾16.39
$11.89 SEK 113
-47.35%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.59 ₾25.09
$15.97 SEK 152
-39.95%
Apples (1kg)
$1.16 ₾3.04
$3.14 SEK 29.85
-63.06%
Banana (1kg)
$1.64 ₾4.29
$2.57 SEK 24.45
-36.19%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.88 ₾4.93
$2.84 SEK 27.01
-33.80%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.23 ₾5.84
$5.13 SEK 48.74
-56.53%
Potato (1kg)
$0.70 ₾1.83
$1.56 SEK 14.78
-55.13%
Onion (1kg)
$0.64 ₾1.68
$1.18 SEK 11.17
-45.76%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.18 ₾3.09
$2.71 SEK 25.77
-56.46%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70 ₾1.83
$1.02 SEK 9.71
-31.37%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.97 ₾7.78
$7.20 SEK 68.4
-58.75%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.43 ₾19.45
$6.24 SEK 59.3
19.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54 ₾4.03
$2.50 SEK 23.73
-38.40%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28 ₾5.98
$1.92 SEK 18.28
18.75%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Sala
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.36 ₾0.93
$3.25 SEK 30.83
-88.92%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$14.73 ₾38.54
$22.30 SEK 212
-33.95%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.42 ₾3.71
$6.15 SEK 58.5
-76.91%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.69 ₾1.81
$1.58 SEK 15.05
-56.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.27 ₾19.02
$21.29 SEK 202
-65.85%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.09 ₾2.86
$1.97 SEK 18.69
-44.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.3K ₾47.9K
$41.4K SEK 393.5K
-55.76%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.5K ₾53.6K
$34.5K SEK 328.1K
-40.69%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Sala
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$74.4 ₾195
$89.6 SEK 852
-17.06%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.71 ₾30.63
$21.17 SEK 201
-44.69%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60 ₾46.06
$36.99 SEK 351
-52.42%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Sala
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$60.3 ₾158
$48.67 SEK 462
23.83%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.29 ₾42.63
$21.31 SEK 202
-23.56%
Cinema Ticket
$6.51 ₾17.03
$18.75 SEK 178
-65.28%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Sala
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$269 ₾704
$148 SEK 1,404
82.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,154 ₾13.5K
$1,284 SEK 12.2K
301.48%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Sala
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.1 ₾202
$45.96 SEK 437
67.78%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.48 ₾114
$36.96 SEK 351
17.64%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$118 ₾310
$54.4 SEK 517
117.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 ₾295
$58.4 SEK 554
93.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Sala
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$709 ₾1,856
$764 SEK 7,261
-7.19%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$465 ₾1,215
$531 SEK 5,044
-12.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,316 ₾3,442
$985 SEK 9,354
33.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$767 ₾2,007
$737 SEK 7,002
4.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,492 ₾6,522
$4,100 SEK 38.9K
-39.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,442 ₾3,773
$3,033 SEK 28.8K
-52.45%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Sala
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$663 ₾1,735
$2,507 SEK 23.8K
-73.56%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.89
4.53
162.47%

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

Last update for Tbilisi: July 25, 2026

Last update for Sala: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $709 in Tbilisi versus $764 in Sala. 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 278% higher in Sala, 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 $64.0 in Sala. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $204 vs $345 – 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 Sala: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tbilisi or Sala?
Sala costs about 24% 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 and in Sala?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,787 per month in Tbilisi and $2,217 in Sala. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Tbilisi or Sala?
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 do childcare costs compare in Tbilisi and in Sala?
Kindergarten costs $269 per month in Tbilisi and $148 in Sala. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Tbilisi or in Sala?
Groceries cost about 69% more in Sala, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Tbilisi or in Sala?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Tbilisi, where all-in costs run around $1,191, than in Sala at $1,478. In Tbilisi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Sala it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Tbilisi or Sala?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Tbilisi costs $1,191 versus $1,478 in Sala. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Tbilisi compared to Sala?
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 to Sala?
If budget matters most, go with Tbilisi. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Sala makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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