😐A single person spends $1,191 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,012 in Samokov, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,856 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,582 in Samokov, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,522 per month in Tbilisi vs $2,151 in Samokov, rent included.
😐Tbilisi costs about 18% more than Samokov, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Tbilisi and Samokov are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi11% lower, Samokov24% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Samokov
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.91₾28.57
$10.13BGN 16.85
7.70%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.19₾113
$41.76BGN 69.5
3.42%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.53₾22.32
$10.12BGN 16.84
-15.71%
Cappuccino
$2.99₾7.82
$1.89BGN 3.15
58.20%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.81₾2.12
$1.32BGN 2.19
-38.64%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42₾1.09
$1.04BGN 1.73
-59.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.16₾5.66
$1.94BGN 3.22
11.34%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88₾7.53
$3.01BGN 5.01
-4.32%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Samokov
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.94₾5.08
$2.03BGN 3.38
-4.43%
White Bread(500g)
$0.68₾1.77
$1.02BGN 1.70
-33.33%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.85₾4.83
$2.74BGN 4.56
-32.48%
Eggs
$2.53₾6.63
$3.87BGN 6.43
-34.63%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.53₾19.70
$13.16BGN 21.89
-42.78%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.26₾16.40
$8.54BGN 14.20
-26.70%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.59₾25.10
$12.82BGN 21.33
-25.20%
Apples(1kg)
$1.16₾3.04
$1.60BGN 2.66
-27.50%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64₾4.29
$2.16BGN 3.60
-24.07%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.88₾4.93
$1.98BGN 3.30
-5.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.23₾5.84
$2.82BGN 4.69
-20.92%
Potato(1kg)
$0.70₾1.83
$1.19BGN 1.99
-41.18%
Onion(1kg)
$0.64₾1.68
$1.38BGN 2.30
-53.62%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18₾3.10
$1.28BGN 2.13
-7.81%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70₾1.83
$0.72BGN 1.21
-2.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.97₾7.79
$3.66BGN 6.10
-18.85%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.43₾19.46
$6.36BGN 10.57
16.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54₾4.03
$1.25BGN 2.08
23.20%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28₾5.98
$1.69BGN 2.81
34.91%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Samokov
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.93
$0.91BGN 1.51
-60.44%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.73₾38.56
$26.85BGN 44.67
-45.14%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42₾3.71
$1.21BGN 2.01
17.36%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.69₾1.81
$0.61BGN 1.01
13.11%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.27₾19.02
$11.69BGN 19.45
-37.81%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.09₾2.86
$1.55BGN 2.58
-29.68%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.3K₾48.0K
$36.4KBGN 60.5K
-49.61%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.5K₾53.6K
$34.3KBGN 57.1K
-40.36%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Samokov
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$74.4₾195
$121BGN 201
-38.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.71₾30.65
$17.49BGN 29.09
-33.05%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60₾46.08
$13.14BGN 21.87
33.94%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Samokov
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.3₾158
$30.04BGN 49.97
100.63%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.29₾42.65
$14.75BGN 24.54
10.44%
Cinema Ticket
$6.51₾17.03
$6.94BGN 11.55
-6.20%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Samokov
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$269₾704
$321BGN 534
-16.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,154₾13.5K
$5,378BGN 8,947
-4.16%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Samokov
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.1₾202
$44.42BGN 73.9
73.59%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.48₾114
$30.02BGN 49.94
44.84%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾310
$126BGN 210
-6.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113₾295
$75.8BGN 126
48.81%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Samokov
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$709₾1,857
$293BGN 488
141.75%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$465₾1,216
$231BGN 384
101.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,316₾3,444
$473BGN 787
178.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$767₾2,007
$347BGN 578
120.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,492₾6,525
$1,150BGN 1,914
116.69%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,442₾3,775
$1,002BGN 1,666
43.97%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Samokov
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$663₾1,735
$731BGN 1,216
-9.34%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
5.1
133.14%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: July 25, 2026
Last update for Samokov: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $709 in Tbilisi versus $293 in Samokov. 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 10% higher in Samokov, 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 $43.00 in Tbilisi versus $42.00 in Samokov. Groceries tell a different story – $204 in Tbilisi vs $263 in Samokov – so Tbilisi 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 Samokov: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tbilisi or Samokov?
Tbilisi costs about 18% more than Samokov, 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 Samokov?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,787 per month in Tbilisi and $1,518 in Samokov. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Tbilisi or Samokov?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Samokov, 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 Samokov?
Kindergarten costs $269 per month in Tbilisi and $321 in Samokov. 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 Samokov?
Interestingly, groceries are about 29% cheaper in Tbilisi – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Tbilisi or in Samokov?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Samokov, where all-in costs run around $1,012, than in Tbilisi at $1,191. In Samokov it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tbilisi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Tbilisi or Samokov?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Samokov costs $1,012 versus $1,191 in Tbilisi. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Tbilisi compared to Samokov?
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 Samokov?
If budget matters most, go with Samokov. 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.