๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,218 in Tbilisi versus $1,985 in Scarborough.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,854 in Tbilisi versus $2,840 in Scarborough.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,491 in Tbilisi versus $3,696 in Scarborough.
๐Living in Tbilisi costs roughly 39% less than in Scarborough, driven mainly by Getting Around.
๐The two cities straddle the global median: Tbilisi is 10% below, Scarborough is 47% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Tbilisi
Scarborough
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.78โพ29.00
$14.49ยฃ10.73
-25.60%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.10โพ116
$69.5ยฃ51.5
-37.95%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.27โพ22.24
$10.20ยฃ7.56
-18.92%
Cappuccino
$2.95โพ7.94
$4.41ยฃ3.27
-33.11%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76โพ2.05
$2.17ยฃ1.61
-64.98%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42โพ1.13
$0.96ยฃ0.71
-56.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.24โพ6.03
$5.82ยฃ4.32
-61.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87โพ7.71
$4.76ยฃ3.52
-39.71%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Scarborough
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.93โพ5.19
$1.50ยฃ1.11
28.67%
White Bread(500g)
$0.68โพ1.84
$1.63ยฃ1.21
-58.28%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.85โพ4.97
$2.42ยฃ1.79
-23.55%
Eggs
$2.49โพ6.69
$3.78ยฃ2.80
-34.13%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.54โพ20.27
$8.98ยฃ6.66
-16.04%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.35โพ17.09
$8.21ยฃ6.09
-22.66%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.43โพ25.38
$9.40ยฃ6.97
0.32%
Apples(1kg)
$1.18โพ3.16
$3.41ยฃ2.53
-65.40%
Banana(1kg)
$1.58โพ4.26
$1.45ยฃ1.08
8.97%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.86โพ5.00
$1.43ยฃ1.06
30.07%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.24โพ6.03
$2.17ยฃ1.60
3.23%
Potato(1kg)
$0.66โพ1.79
$1.16ยฃ0.86
-43.10%
Onion(1kg)
$0.68โพ1.83
$1.51ยฃ1.12
-54.97%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18โพ3.17
$1.05ยฃ0.78
12.38%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66โพ1.77
$1.82ยฃ1.35
-63.74%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.07โพ8.25
$11.52ยฃ8.53
-73.35%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.56โพ20.34
$10.77ยฃ7.98
-29.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.52โพ4.08
$2.81ยฃ2.08
-45.91%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29โพ6.15
$2.68ยฃ1.99
-14.55%
๐ Getting Around
Tbilisi
Scarborough
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.35โพ0.95
$3.05ยฃ2.26
-88.52%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.79โพ39.78
$96.2ยฃ71.3
-84.62%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.45โพ3.90
$4.26ยฃ3.16
-65.96%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.73โพ1.97
$1.19ยฃ0.88
-38.66%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.35โพ19.78
$16.34ยฃ12.10
-55.02%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.09โพ2.93
$1.99ยฃ1.48
-45.23%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.4Kโพ49.5K
$36.2Kยฃ26.8K
-49.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.3Kโพ54.5K
$39.0Kยฃ28.9K
-48.01%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Scarborough
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.3โพ197
$281ยฃ208
-73.87%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.72โพ31.53
$16.02ยฃ11.87
-26.84%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.87โพ48.08
$33.93ยฃ25.14
-47.33%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Scarborough
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.2โพ165
$33.93ยฃ25.15
80.40%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.34โพ43.94
$12.88ยฃ9.55
26.86%
Cinema Ticket
$6.59โพ17.73
$10.96ยฃ8.12
-39.87%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Scarborough
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$261โพ702
$1,738ยฃ1,288
-84.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,156โพ13.9K
$18.3Kยฃ13.6K
-71.82%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Scarborough
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$76.1โพ205
$68.2ยฃ50.5
11.64%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.83โพ118
$36.70ยฃ27.19
19.43%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$121โพ325
$113ยฃ83.5
7.14%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113โพ304
$89.3ยฃ66.1
26.55%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Scarborough
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$696โพ1,873
$895ยฃ663
-22.18%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$456โพ1,226
$858ยฃ636
-46.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,301โพ3,500
$1,586ยฃ1,175
-17.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$768โพ2,067
$1,199ยฃ888
-35.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,500โพ6,725
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,432โพ3,853
-
-
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Scarborough
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$653โพ1,756
$2,091ยฃ1,549
-68.77%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
5.45
118.17%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: April 13, 2026
Last update for Scarborough: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $696 in Tbilisi and $895 in Scarborough. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐScarborough pays 220% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
๐Dining out: $43 in Tbilisi vs $69 in Scarborough for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $203 vs $268 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 Scarborough: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tbilisi and Scarborough?
Tbilisi and Scarborough differ by about 63% in total monthly costs ($1,218 vs $1,985 including rent). Tbilisi is meaningfully more affordable โ a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Scarborough earns 220% less. 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 Scarborough?
Rent for a central apartment: $696 in Tbilisi versus $895 in Scarborough. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Tbilisi and Scarborough?
A monthly transit pass in Tbilisi runs roughly 550% less than in Scarborough. 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 Scarborough?
Childcare runs $261 in Tbilisi versus $1,738 in Scarborough. 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 $1,218 in Tbilisi versus $1,985 in Scarborough, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tbilisi but tight or insufficient in Scarborough. 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 Scarborough?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better โ the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Tbilisi or Scarborough safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Scarborough 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 Scarborough?
Expats usually find Tbilisi gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 63% less than in Scarborough. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.