🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,247 in Tbilisi versus $2,719 in Sandvika.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,025 in Tbilisi versus $4,113 in Sandvika.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,803 in Tbilisi versus $5,506 in Sandvika.
🌍Living in Tbilisi costs roughly 54% less than in Sandvika, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Tbilisi is 9% below, Sandvika is 99% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Sandvika
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.33₾29.45
$17.23NOK 162
-34.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.71₾101
$99.9NOK 941
-61.25%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.52₾24.73
$22.03NOK 208
-56.79%
Cappuccino
$3.41₾8.85
$4.17NOK 39.30
-18.23%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04₾2.71
$2.93NOK 27.60
-64.51%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64₾1.66
$2.37NOK 22.33
-73.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.61₾6.79
$8.48NOK 79.9
-69.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24₾8.43
$10.63NOK 100
-69.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Sandvika
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.17₾5.65
$2.50NOK 23.58
-13.20%
White Bread(500g)
$0.74₾1.92
$3.64NOK 34.32
-79.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71₾4.45
$3.90NOK 36.79
-56.15%
Eggs
$2.83₾7.36
$5.04NOK 47.53
-43.85%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.22₾23.95
$13.37NOK 126
-31.04%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.76₾17.55
$27.24NOK 257
-75.18%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.77₾33.17
$25.30NOK 238
-49.53%
Apples(1kg)
$1.64₾4.26
$3.44NOK 32.41
-52.33%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77₾4.60
$2.66NOK 25.05
-33.46%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87₾4.85
$3.54NOK 33.36
-47.18%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.44₾6.34
$4.90NOK 46.14
-50.20%
Potato(1kg)
$0.87₾2.25
$2.59NOK 24.43
-66.41%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65₾1.70
$3.29NOK 30.97
-80.24%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40₾3.64
$2.45NOK 23.07
-42.86%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74₾1.93
$1.64NOK 15.42
-54.88%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.41₾8.86
$16.23NOK 153
-78.99%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.60₾19.75
$18.83NOK 177
-59.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70₾4.41
$3.94NOK 37.13
-56.85%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38₾6.20
$5.39NOK 50.8
-55.84%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Sandvika
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.94
$4.13NOK 38.89
-91.28%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.24₾39.60
$84.4NOK 795
-81.93%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.18₾3.07
$8.07NOK 76.0
-85.38%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.76₾1.97
$1.65NOK 15.52
-53.94%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.34₾29.47
$56.0NOK 528
-79.75%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.33₾3.46
$2.54NOK 23.96
-47.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7K₾64.2K
$43.2KNOK 407.3K
-42.80%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0K₾57.2K
$44.2KNOK 416.9K
-50.22%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Sandvika
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.9₾231
$275NOK 2,590
-67.67%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.33₾34.63
$32.45NOK 306
-58.92%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12₾52.3
$66.9NOK 631
-69.94%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Sandvika
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.7₾178
$65.3NOK 615
5.19%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.09₾47.01
$36.95NOK 348
-51.04%
Cinema Ticket
$6.72₾17.46
$21.60NOK 204
-68.89%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Sandvika
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$374₾971
$310NOK 2,924
20.39%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7K₾27.8K
$13.3KNOK 125.8K
-19.86%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Sandvika
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$101₾263
$145NOK 1,369
-30.35%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.33₾102
$63.5NOK 598
-38.03%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾305
$132NOK 1,245
-11.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122₾318
$213NOK 2,008
-42.60%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Sandvika
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$682₾1,773
$1,216NOK 11.5K
-43.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$456₾1,186
$979NOK 9,226
-53.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,303₾3,385
$2,061NOK 19.4K
-36.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$899₾2,337
$1,735NOK 16.4K
-48.17%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,449₾6,365
$8,462NOK 79.7K
-71.05%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,452₾3,774
$4,608NOK 43.4K
-68.48%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Sandvika
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$652₾1,695
$5,561NOK 52.4K
-88.27%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.62
5.03
150.89%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026
Last update for Sandvika: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $682 in Tbilisi and $1,216 in Sandvika. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Sandvika pays 752% 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 $100 in Sandvika for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $232 vs $533 per month, with Tbilisi cheaper across the board.
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 Sandvika: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tbilisi and in Sandvika?
Tbilisi and Sandvika differ by about 118% in total monthly costs ($1,247 vs $2,719 including rent). Tbilisi is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 752% lower in Sandvika. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Tbilisi and in Sandvika?
Rent for a central apartment: $682 in Tbilisi versus $1,216 in Sandvika. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Tbilisi and in Sandvika?
A monthly transit pass in Tbilisi runs roughly 454% less than in Sandvika. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Tbilisi and Sandvika?
Childcare runs $374 in Tbilisi versus $310 in Sandvika. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,247 in Tbilisi versus $2,719 in Sandvika, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tbilisi but tight or insufficient in Sandvika. The gap between the two cities makes Tbilisi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Sandvika?
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 Sandvika safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Sandvika 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 Sandvika?
Expats usually find Tbilisi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 118% less than in Sandvika. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.