🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,178 in Tbilisi versus $2,499 in Sandvika.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,848 in Tbilisi versus $3,860 in Sandvika.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,518 in Tbilisi versus $5,221 in Sandvika.
🌍Living in Tbilisi costs roughly 53% less than in Sandvika, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Tbilisi is 12% below, Sandvika is 87% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Sandvika
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.09₾29.33
$16.45NOK 160
-32.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.24₾114
$95.6NOK 931
-54.77%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.55₾22.62
$20.54NOK 200
-58.37%
Cappuccino
$2.97₾7.86
$3.91NOK 38.09
-24.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76₾2.01
$2.85NOK 27.75
-73.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46₾1.22
$2.20NOK 21.44
-79.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.22₾5.87
$8.16NOK 79.5
-72.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92₾7.72
$9.52NOK 92.7
-69.33%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Sandvika
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.97₾5.21
$2.48NOK 24.20
-20.56%
White Bread(500g)
$0.73₾1.94
$3.42NOK 33.27
-78.65%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.82₾4.81
$1.89NOK 18.42
-3.70%
Eggs
$2.49₾6.60
$4.21NOK 40.97
-40.86%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.66₾20.26
$18.89NOK 184
-59.45%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.27₾16.58
$26.35NOK 257
-76.20%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.50₾25.12
$23.47NOK 229
-59.52%
Apples(1kg)
$1.23₾3.24
$2.67NOK 26.04
-53.93%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64₾4.32
$2.55NOK 24.85
-35.69%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87₾4.95
$3.44NOK 33.54
-45.64%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.27₾6.01
$3.75NOK 36.53
-39.47%
Potato(1kg)
$0.67₾1.77
$2.13NOK 20.70
-68.54%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67₾1.78
$2.52NOK 24.58
-73.41%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.22₾3.23
$2.31NOK 22.50
-47.19%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70₾1.85
$1.54NOK 15.03
-54.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.92₾7.72
$15.56NOK 152
-81.23%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.72₾20.40
$18.23NOK 178
-57.65%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.55₾4.09
$3.58NOK 34.85
-56.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22₾5.86
$5.29NOK 51.5
-58.03%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Sandvika
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.39₾1.02
$3.83NOK 37.29
-89.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.67₾38.78
$91.1NOK 888
-83.90%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44₾3.82
$8.01NOK 78.1
-82.02%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.69₾1.81
$1.34NOK 13.08
-48.51%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.37₾19.50
$52.0NOK 506
-85.81%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14₾3.03
$2.27NOK 22.12
-49.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.2K₾48.0K
$41.9KNOK 408.5K
-56.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.4K₾54.1K
$42.4KNOK 413.0K
-51.78%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Sandvika
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.6₾195
$239NOK 2,331
-69.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.64₾30.78
$30.56NOK 298
-61.91%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.63₾46.62
$62.9NOK 612
-71.95%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Sandvika
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.4₾162
$61.6NOK 600
-0.42%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.85₾44.55
$35.92NOK 350
-53.09%
Cinema Ticket
$6.69₾17.69
$20.39NOK 199
-67.19%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Sandvika
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$264₾698
$293NOK 2,852
-9.81%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,169₾13.7K
$10.3KNOK 99.9K
-49.63%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Sandvika
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.1₾199
$135NOK 1,318
-44.50%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.26₾114
$51.0NOK 497
-15.21%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾311
$125NOK 1,213
-5.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111₾295
$201NOK 1,953
-44.40%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Sandvika
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$706₾1,866
$1,191NOK 11.6K
-40.75%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$461₾1,220
$896NOK 8,723
-48.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,318₾3,486
$1,854NOK 18.1K
-28.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$781₾2,064
$1,521NOK 14.8K
-48.68%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,463₾6,512
$8,252NOK 80.4K
-70.15%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,409₾3,725
$4,470NOK 43.5K
-68.49%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Sandvika
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$672₾1,778
$5,210NOK 50.8K
-87.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
4.8
147.71%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: June 14, 2026
Last update for Sandvika: June 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $706 in Tbilisi and $1,191 in Sandvika. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Sandvika pays 675% 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: $43.00 in Tbilisi vs $96.0 in Sandvika for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $206 vs $508 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 112% in total monthly costs ($1,178 vs $2,499 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 675% 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: $706 in Tbilisi versus $1,191 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 521% 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 $264 in Tbilisi versus $293 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 $1,178 in Tbilisi versus $2,499 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 112% less than in Sandvika. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.