😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,209 in Tbilisi versus $738 in Santa Cruz, Laguna.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,867 in Tbilisi versus $1,156 in Santa Cruz, Laguna.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,526 in Tbilisi versus $1,574 in Santa Cruz, Laguna.
😐Living in Tbilisi is roughly 64% more expensive than Santa Cruz, Laguna, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi10% lower, Santa Cruz, Laguna45% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Santa Cruz, Laguna
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.80₾28.71
$1.80₱111
500.00%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.18₾115
$8.66₱534
398.61%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.29₾22.04
$3.05₱188
171.80%
Cappuccino
$3.00₾7.97
$2.19₱135
36.99%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.82₾2.17
$0.43₱26.47
90.70%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46₾1.21
$0.26₱15.85
76.92%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.23₾5.93
$1.27₱78.4
75.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92₾7.75
$1.08₱66.7
170.37%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Santa Cruz, Laguna
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.93₾5.12
$1.81₱111
6.63%
White Bread(500g)
$0.68₾1.81
$1.21₱74.5
-43.80%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.88₾5.00
$1.07₱66.0
75.70%
Eggs
$2.54₾6.74
$1.74₱107
45.98%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.42₾19.70
$5.38₱332
37.92%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.19₾16.44
$4.31₱266
43.62%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.36₾24.87
$7.16₱442
30.73%
Apples(1kg)
$1.22₾3.25
$1.57₱97.1
-22.29%
Banana(1kg)
$1.66₾4.40
$0.51₱31.34
225.49%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.80₾4.78
$1.56₱96.2
15.38%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.24₾5.96
$1.69₱104
32.54%
Potato(1kg)
$0.71₾1.89
$2.86₱177
-75.17%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67₾1.79
$4.16₱256
-83.89%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18₾3.13
$1.56₱96.3
-24.36%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66₾1.76
$1.04₱64.2
-36.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.98₾7.91
$3.18₱196
-6.29%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.61₾20.22
$8.92₱550
-14.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54₾4.08
$1.54₱95.3
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25₾5.99
$1.98₱122
13.64%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Santa Cruz, Laguna
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.95
$0.26₱15.84
38.46%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.44₾38.38
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.49₾3.97
$0.77₱47.63
93.51%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.68₾1.82
$0.22₱13.53
209.09%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.23₾19.20
$2.19₱135
230.14%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14₾3.04
$1.09₱67.1
4.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.5K₾49.1K
$25.4K₱1.6M
-27.37%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.0K₾53.1K
$20.4K₱1.3M
-2.00%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Santa Cruz, Laguna
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.7₾196
$94.5₱5,826
-22.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.64₾30.92
$33.54₱2,068
-65.30%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.84₾47.41
$29.99₱1,849
-40.51%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Santa Cruz, Laguna
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.1₾160
$34.24₱2,111
75.61%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.80₾44.65
$4.49₱277
274.16%
Cinema Ticket
$6.60₾17.55
$6.91₱426
-4.49%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Santa Cruz, Laguna
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$266₾708
$81.2₱5,005
228.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,191₾13.8K
$2,818₱173.7K
84.24%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Santa Cruz, Laguna
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.7₾206
$32.30₱1,992
140.56%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.75₾119
$29.26₱1,804
52.94%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$117₾310
$97.3₱5,998
20.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113₾300
$92.8₱5,719
21.74%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Santa Cruz, Laguna
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$693₾1,840
$271₱16.7K
155.54%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$462₾1,227
$179₱11.0K
158.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,320₾3,507
$579₱35.7K
128.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$774₾2,057
$399₱24.6K
94.07%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,430₾6,458
$2,557₱157.7K
-4.96%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,446₾3,842
$1,067₱65.8K
35.54%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Santa Cruz, Laguna
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$673₾1,788
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
8.13
46.25%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: May 31, 2026
Last update for Santa Cruz, Laguna: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $693 in Tbilisi and $271 in Santa Cruz, Laguna. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $43.00 in Tbilisi vs $9.00 in Santa Cruz, Laguna for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $203 vs $191 per month, with Santa Cruz, Laguna 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, Laguna: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tbilisi and Santa Cruz, Laguna?
Tbilisi and Santa Cruz, Laguna differ by about 64% in total monthly costs ($1,209 vs $738 including rent). Santa Cruz, Laguna is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Tbilisi compared to Santa Cruz, Laguna?
You'd need roughly $1,813 in Tbilisi and $1,107 in Santa Cruz, Laguna to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Tbilisi and Santa Cruz, Laguna?
Rent for a central apartment: $693 in Tbilisi versus $271 in Santa Cruz, Laguna. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Tbilisi and Santa Cruz, Laguna?
Childcare runs $266 in Tbilisi versus $81.2 in Santa Cruz, Laguna. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Santa Cruz, Laguna – a meal for two runs $9.00 versus $43.00 in Tbilisi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $738 in Santa Cruz, Laguna versus $1,209 in Tbilisi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Santa Cruz, Laguna but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Santa Cruz, Laguna the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Santa Cruz, Laguna?
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, Laguna safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Santa Cruz, Laguna 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, Laguna?
Expats usually find Santa Cruz, Laguna gentler on the wallet – expenses run 64% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.