Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Shumen Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Shumen

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,191 per month in Tbilisi vs $889 in Shumen, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,856 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,376 in Shumen, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,522 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,862 in Shumen, rent included.

Tbilisi costs about 34% more than Shumen, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Tbilisi and Shumen are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi 11% lower, Shumen 33% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.91 ₾28.56
$9.49 BGN 15.80
14.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.19 ₾113
$29.38 BGN 48.87
47.00%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.53 ₾22.31
$8.66 BGN 14.41
-1.50%
Cappuccino
$2.99 ₾7.81
$1.70 BGN 2.83
75.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.81 ₾2.12
$1.37 BGN 2.28
-40.88%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42 ₾1.09
$0.71 BGN 1.19
-40.85%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.16 ₾5.65
$2.01 BGN 3.34
7.46%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88 ₾7.52
$2.33 BGN 3.87
23.61%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.94 ₾5.08
$1.64 BGN 2.73
18.29%
White Bread (500g)
$0.68 ₾1.77
$0.95 BGN 1.59
-28.42%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.85 ₾4.83
$1.91 BGN 3.18
-3.14%
Eggs
$2.53 ₾6.62
$3.08 BGN 5.12
-17.86%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.53 ₾19.69
$9.41 BGN 15.66
-19.98%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.26 ₾16.39
$5.63 BGN 9.37
11.19%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.59 ₾25.09
$11.73 BGN 19.51
-18.24%
Apples (1kg)
$1.16 ₾3.04
$1.76 BGN 2.93
-34.09%
Banana (1kg)
$1.64 ₾4.29
$2.05 BGN 3.41
-20.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.88 ₾4.93
$2.06 BGN 3.42
-8.74%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.23 ₾5.84
$2.25 BGN 3.74
-0.89%
Potato (1kg)
$0.70 ₾1.83
$1.45 BGN 2.42
-51.72%
Onion (1kg)
$0.64 ₾1.68
$1.33 BGN 2.21
-51.88%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.18 ₾3.09
$0.93 BGN 1.54
26.88%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70 ₾1.83
$0.79 BGN 1.31
-11.39%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.97 ₾7.78
$3.57 BGN 5.94
-16.81%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.43 ₾19.45
$7.22 BGN 12.00
2.91%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54 ₾4.03
$0.93 BGN 1.55
65.59%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28 ₾5.98
$1.61 BGN 2.68
41.61%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.36 ₾0.93
$0.87 BGN 1.45
-58.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$14.73 ₾38.54
$26.71 BGN 44.44
-44.85%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.42 ₾3.71
$1.25 BGN 2.08
13.60%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.69 ₾1.81
$0.31 BGN 0.51
122.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.27 ₾19.02
$13.36 BGN 22.22
-45.58%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.09 ₾2.86
$1.49 BGN 2.47
-26.85%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.3K ₾47.9K
$32.0K BGN 53.2K
-42.66%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.5K ₾53.6K
$25.2K BGN 41.9K
-18.66%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$74.4 ₾195
$96.4 BGN 160
-22.83%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.71 ₾30.63
$16.33 BGN 27.16
-28.29%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60 ₾46.06
$13.90 BGN 23.13
26.62%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$60.3 ₾158
$39.73 BGN 66.1
51.70%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.29 ₾42.63
$11.67 BGN 19.41
39.59%
Cinema Ticket
$6.51 ₾17.03
$6.94 BGN 11.54
-6.20%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$269 ₾704
$237 BGN 394
13.50%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,154 ₾13.5K
$10.6K BGN 17.6K
-51.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.1 ₾202
$54.5 BGN 90.6
41.62%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.48 ₾114
$41.57 BGN 69.2
4.59%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$118 ₾310
$83.1 BGN 138
42.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 ₾295
$72.2 BGN 120
56.08%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$709 ₾1,856
$272 BGN 452
160.79%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$465 ₾1,215
$189 BGN 314
145.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,316 ₾3,442
$508 BGN 844
159.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$767 ₾2,007
$326 BGN 542
135.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,492 ₾6,522
$1,289 BGN 2,144
93.42%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,442 ₾3,773
$1,017 BGN 1,691
41.82%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$663 ₾1,735
$1,034 BGN 1,719
-35.86%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.89
4.57
160.18%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Tbilisi: July 25, 2026

Last update for Shumen: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $709 in Tbilisi versus $272 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 56% 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 $43.00 in Tbilisi versus $29.00 in Shumen. Groceries tell a different story – $204 in Tbilisi vs $221 in Shumen – so Tbilisi wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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: $1,191 in Tbilisi, $889 in Shumen – roughly 34% 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 $1,787 per month in Tbilisi and $1,334 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 $1,191 in Tbilisi and $889 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 81% 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 $889, than in Tbilisi at $1,191. 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 $889 in Shumen to $1,191 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.

Tbilisi vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities