Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and ShumenCost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Shumen
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $1,247 per month in Tbilisi vs $943 in Shumen, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,025 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,474 in Shumen, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,803 per month in Tbilisi vs $2,005 in Shumen, rent included.
😐Tbilisi costs about 32% more than Shumen, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Tbilisi and Shumen are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi9% lower, Shumen31% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.33₾29.45
$9.72BGN 16.18
16.56%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.71₾101
$35.07BGN 58.3
10.38%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.52₾24.73
$9.12BGN 15.17
4.39%
Cappuccino
$3.41₾8.85
$1.81BGN 3.00
88.40%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04₾2.71
$1.47BGN 2.44
-29.25%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64₾1.66
$1.05BGN 1.74
-39.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.61₾6.79
$2.91BGN 4.83
-10.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24₾8.43
$2.90BGN 4.82
11.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.17₾5.65
$1.91BGN 3.17
13.61%
White Bread(500g)
$0.74₾1.92
$1.12BGN 1.86
-33.93%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71₾4.45
$2.60BGN 4.33
-34.23%
Eggs
$2.83₾7.36
$2.98BGN 4.96
-5.03%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.22₾23.95
$9.57BGN 15.91
-3.66%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.76₾17.55
$5.06BGN 8.42
33.60%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.77₾33.17
$9.18BGN 15.27
39.11%
Apples(1kg)
$1.64₾4.26
$1.56BGN 2.60
5.13%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77₾4.60
$2.12BGN 3.53
-16.51%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87₾4.85
$2.19BGN 3.64
-14.61%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.44₾6.34
$2.27BGN 3.78
7.49%
Potato(1kg)
$0.87₾2.25
$2.09BGN 3.47
-58.37%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65₾1.70
$1.32BGN 2.20
-50.76%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40₾3.64
$0.83BGN 1.38
68.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74₾1.93
$0.78BGN 1.31
-5.13%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.41₾8.86
$3.74BGN 6.22
-8.82%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.60₾19.75
$7.18BGN 11.95
5.85%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70₾4.41
$0.99BGN 1.65
71.72%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38₾6.20
$1.46BGN 2.44
63.01%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.94
$0.92BGN 1.53
-60.87%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.24₾39.60
$26.37BGN 43.86
-42.21%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.18₾3.07
$1.79BGN 2.98
-34.08%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.76₾1.97
$0.52BGN 0.86
46.15%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.34₾29.47
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.33₾3.46
$1.58BGN 2.62
-15.82%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7K₾64.2K
$31.9KBGN 53.0K
-22.38%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0K₾57.2K
$23.1KBGN 38.5K
-4.77%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.9₾231
$136BGN 226
-34.58%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.33₾34.63
$18.06BGN 30.05
-26.19%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12₾52.3
$17.42BGN 28.98
15.50%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.7₾178
$40.40BGN 67.2
69.98%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.09₾47.01
$11.74BGN 19.53
54.09%
Cinema Ticket
$6.72₾17.46
$6.99BGN 11.62
-3.86%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$374₾971
$588BGN 979
-36.49%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7K₾27.8K
$10.6KBGN 17.6K
1.39%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$101₾263
$49.68BGN 82.6
103.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.33₾102
$51.8BGN 86.2
-24.12%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾305
$94.2BGN 157
24.74%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122₾318
$63.7BGN 106
92.14%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$682₾1,773
$276BGN 459
147.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$456₾1,186
$186BGN 310
145.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,303₾3,385
$439BGN 730
196.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$899₾2,337
$341BGN 567
163.95%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,449₾6,365
$1,261BGN 2,098
94.23%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,452₾3,774
$1,030BGN 1,714
40.96%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$652₾1,695
$1,035BGN 1,722
-36.97%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.62
3.25
288.31%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026
Last update for Shumen: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $682 in Tbilisi versus $276 in Shumen. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 59% higher in Shumen, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $39.00 in Tbilisi versus $35.00 in Shumen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $232 vs $219 – making Shumen the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Shumen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Tbilisi and in Shumen compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,247 in Tbilisi, $943 in Shumen – roughly 32% apart. Tbilisi costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Tbilisi compared to Shumen?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,870 per month in Tbilisi and $1,414 in Shumen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Tbilisi and Shumen?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Shumen, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Tbilisi or Shumen?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,247 in Tbilisi and $943 in Shumen. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do commuting costs compare in Tbilisi and in Shumen?
Public transport costs about 73% less in Shumen. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Shumen, where all-in costs run around $943, than in Tbilisi at $1,247. In Shumen it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tbilisi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Shumen?
It depends on your priorities. Tbilisi has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $943 in Shumen to $1,247 in Tbilisi. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Tbilisi or Shumen safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Tbilisi and Shumen?
If budget matters most, go with Shumen. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Tbilisi makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.