😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,199 in Tbilisi versus $854 in Santa Cruz do Sul.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,833 in Tbilisi versus $1,362 in Santa Cruz do Sul.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,466 in Tbilisi versus $1,870 in Santa Cruz do Sul.
😐Living in Tbilisi is roughly 40% more expensive than Santa Cruz do Sul, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi11% lower, Santa Cruz do Sul36% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Santa Cruz do Sul
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.86₾29.20
$4.39R$21.84
147.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.33₾117
$26.57R$132
63.08%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.25₾22.19
$4.58R$22.78
80.13%
Cappuccino
$3.10₾8.33
$1.61R$7.98
92.55%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80₾2.15
$1.16R$5.79
-31.03%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46₾1.24
$0.77R$3.84
-40.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.16₾5.81
$2.10R$10.42
2.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.94₾7.92
$2.62R$13.04
12.21%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Santa Cruz do Sul
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.93₾5.19
$0.89R$4.45
116.85%
White Bread(500g)
$0.67₾1.81
$1.40R$6.97
-52.14%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.82₾4.91
$1.05R$5.21
73.33%
Eggs
$2.56₾6.88
$2.10R$10.45
21.90%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.61₾20.48
$10.90R$54.2
-30.18%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.51₾17.50
$4.43R$22.02
46.95%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.67₾26.00
$9.39R$46.69
2.98%
Apples(1kg)
$1.16₾3.12
$1.98R$9.85
-41.41%
Banana(1kg)
$1.62₾4.36
$1.31R$6.53
23.66%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87₾5.04
$1.33R$6.61
40.60%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.33₾6.26
$1.50R$7.43
55.33%
Potato(1kg)
$0.65₾1.75
$1.13R$5.63
-42.48%
Onion(1kg)
$0.63₾1.70
$1.02R$5.08
-38.24%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18₾3.17
$0.77R$3.80
53.25%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70₾1.90
$0.62R$3.10
12.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.04₾8.17
$1.97R$9.80
54.31%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.27₾19.56
$8.22R$40.84
-11.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.59₾4.27
$1.02R$5.04
55.88%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.30₾6.18
$1.85R$9.21
24.32%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Santa Cruz do Sul
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.96
$0.88R$4.39
-59.09%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.68₾39.48
$38.62R$192
-61.99%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.50₾4.03
$1.67R$8.28
-10.18%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.70₾1.87
$1.01R$5.03
-30.69%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.35₾19.78
$5.49R$27.28
33.88%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.13₾3.05
$1.07R$5.30
5.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.2K₾49.0K
$24.2KR$120.1K
-24.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.2K₾54.5K
$27.4KR$136.2K
-26.14%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Santa Cruz do Sul
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$74.0₾199
$61.2R$304
20.85%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.87₾31.93
$14.81R$73.6
-19.85%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.55₾47.20
$19.85R$98.7
-11.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Santa Cruz do Sul
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.3₾162
$22.73R$113
165.46%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.69₾44.89
$21.61R$107
-22.77%
Cinema Ticket
$6.73₾18.10
$6.28R$31.22
7.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Santa Cruz do Sul
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$261₾703
$312R$1,551
-16.29%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,146₾13.8K
$7,233R$35.9K
-28.86%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Santa Cruz do Sul
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.6₾209
$48.81R$243
58.96%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.48₾117
$56.2R$279
-22.58%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾318
$81.0R$402
46.25%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111₾298
$63.0R$313
75.88%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Santa Cruz do Sul
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$703₾1,891
$496R$2,464
41.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$457₾1,231
$284R$1,411
61.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,346₾3,621
$864R$4,296
55.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$788₾2,120
$566R$2,813
39.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,560₾6,885
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,443₾3,881
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Santa Cruz do Sul
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$648₾1,742
$403R$2,002
60.79%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
10
18.90%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: April 21, 2026
Last update for Santa Cruz do Sul: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $703 in Tbilisi and $496 in Santa Cruz do Sul. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Tbilisi pays 61% 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 in Tbilisi vs $27 in Santa Cruz do Sul for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $206 vs $190 per month, with Santa Cruz do Sul 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 Santa Cruz do Sul: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tbilisi and Santa Cruz do Sul?
Tbilisi and Santa Cruz do Sul differ by about 40% in total monthly costs ($1,199 vs $854 including rent). Santa Cruz do Sul is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Tbilisi or Santa Cruz do Sul?
Tbilisi pays 61% more on average, 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 Santa Cruz do Sul?
Rent for a central apartment: $703 in Tbilisi versus $496 in Santa Cruz do Sul. 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 Santa Cruz do Sul – a meal for two runs $27.00 versus $43.00 in Tbilisi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Tbilisi or Santa Cruz do Sul?
All in, you'll spend $1,199 per month in Tbilisi versus $854 in Santa Cruz do Sul – a 40% 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 $854 in Santa Cruz do Sul versus $1,199 in Tbilisi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Santa Cruz do Sul but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Santa Cruz do Sul the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Santa Cruz do Sul?
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 Santa Cruz do Sul safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Santa Cruz do Sul 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 Santa Cruz do Sul?
Expats usually find Santa Cruz do Sul gentler on the wallet – expenses run 40% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.