🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,247 in Tbilisi versus $3,496 in Selfoss.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,025 in Tbilisi versus $2,470 in Selfoss.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,803 in Tbilisi versus $1,444 in Selfoss.
🌍Living in Tbilisi costs roughly 64% less than in Selfoss, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Tbilisi is 9% below, Selfoss is 156% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Selfoss
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.33₾29.45
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.71₾101
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.52₾24.73
$20.93ISK 2,549
-54.52%
Cappuccino
$3.41₾8.85
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04₾2.71
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64₾1.66
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.61₾6.79
$12.41ISK 1,512
-78.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24₾8.43
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Selfoss
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.17₾5.65
$1.76ISK 215
23.30%
White Bread(500g)
$0.74₾1.92
$7.28ISK 886
-89.84%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71₾4.45
$4.49ISK 546
-61.92%
Eggs
$2.83₾7.36
$6.59ISK 802
-57.06%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.22₾23.95
$17.00ISK 2,071
-45.76%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.76₾17.55
$21.05ISK 2,564
-67.89%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.77₾33.17
$34.45ISK 4,196
-62.93%
Apples(1kg)
$1.64₾4.26
$2.74ISK 333
-40.15%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77₾4.60
$2.70ISK 329
-34.44%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87₾4.85
$2.64ISK 321
-29.17%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.44₾6.34
$7.04ISK 857
-65.34%
Potato(1kg)
$0.87₾2.25
$3.27ISK 398
-73.39%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65₾1.70
$2.17ISK 264
-70.05%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40₾3.64
$3.56ISK 433
-60.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74₾1.93
$1.42ISK 173
-47.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.41₾8.86
$15.55ISK 1,894
-78.07%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.60₾19.75
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70₾4.41
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38₾6.20
$1.18ISK 144
101.69%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Selfoss
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.94
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.24₾39.60
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.18₾3.07
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.76₾1.97
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.34₾29.47
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.33₾3.46
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7K₾64.2K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0K₾57.2K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Selfoss
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.9₾231
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.33₾34.63
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12₾52.3
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Selfoss
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.7₾178
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.09₾47.01
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.72₾17.46
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Selfoss
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$374₾971
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7K₾27.8K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Selfoss
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$101₾263
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.33₾102
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾305
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122₾318
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Selfoss
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$682₾1,773
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$456₾1,186
$2,832ISK 344.9K
-83.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,303₾3,385
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$899₾2,337
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,449₾6,365
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,452₾3,774
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Selfoss
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$652₾1,695
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.62
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026
Last update for Selfoss: September 12, 2026
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 Selfoss: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tbilisi and in Selfoss?
Tbilisi and Selfoss differ by about 180% in total monthly costs ($1,247 vs $3,496 including rent). Tbilisi 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 Selfoss?
You'd need roughly $1,870 in Tbilisi and $5,244 in Selfoss 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.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 123% higher in Selfoss. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Tbilisi or Selfoss?
All in, you'll spend $1,247 per month in Tbilisi versus $3,496 in Selfoss – a 180% 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 $1,247 in Tbilisi versus $3,496 in Selfoss, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tbilisi but tight or insufficient in Selfoss. 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 Selfoss?
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 Selfoss safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Selfoss 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 Selfoss?
Expats usually find Tbilisi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 180% less than in Selfoss. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.