Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and ShumenCost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Shumen
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $1,178 per month in Tbilisi vs $872 in Shumen, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,848 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,388 in Shumen, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,518 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,903 in Shumen, rent included.
😐Tbilisi costs about 35% more than Shumen, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Tbilisi and Shumen are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi12% lower, Shumen35% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.09₾29.35
$9.76BGN 16.24
13.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.24₾114
$29.12BGN 48.45
48.49%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.55₾22.63
$9.09BGN 15.13
-5.94%
Cappuccino
$2.97₾7.86
$1.71BGN 2.84
73.68%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76₾2.01
$1.33BGN 2.22
-42.86%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46₾1.22
$0.71BGN 1.18
-35.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.22₾5.88
$2.08BGN 3.46
6.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92₾7.73
$2.27BGN 3.78
28.63%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.97₾5.21
$1.62BGN 2.70
21.60%
White Bread(500g)
$0.73₾1.94
$0.94BGN 1.57
-22.34%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.82₾4.81
$1.97BGN 3.27
-7.61%
Eggs
$2.49₾6.60
$3.06BGN 5.10
-18.63%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.66₾20.27
$9.16BGN 15.24
-16.38%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.27₾16.59
$5.67BGN 9.43
10.58%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.50₾25.14
$11.44BGN 19.03
-16.96%
Apples(1kg)
$1.23₾3.24
$1.71BGN 2.85
-28.07%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64₾4.33
$2.10BGN 3.50
-21.90%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87₾4.95
$2.09BGN 3.47
-10.53%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.27₾6.02
$2.33BGN 3.88
-2.58%
Potato(1kg)
$0.67₾1.77
$1.50BGN 2.50
-55.33%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67₾1.79
$1.33BGN 2.21
-49.62%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.22₾3.23
$0.93BGN 1.55
31.18%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70₾1.85
$0.80BGN 1.33
-12.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.92₾7.73
$3.58BGN 5.95
-18.44%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.72₾20.42
$7.46BGN 12.41
3.49%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.55₾4.09
$1.00BGN 1.67
55.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22₾5.86
$1.60BGN 2.66
38.75%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.39₾1.02
$0.87BGN 1.45
-55.17%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.67₾38.81
$26.10BGN 43.42
-43.79%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44₾3.82
$1.25BGN 2.08
15.20%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.69₾1.81
$0.31BGN 0.51
122.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.37₾19.52
$12.97BGN 21.57
-43.18%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14₾3.03
$1.49BGN 2.48
-23.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.2K₾48.1K
$32.6KBGN 54.3K
-44.37%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.4K₾54.1K
$25.8KBGN 42.9K
-20.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.6₾195
$94.7BGN 158
-22.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.64₾30.80
$16.37BGN 27.23
-28.89%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.63₾46.65
$13.71BGN 22.80
28.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.4₾162
$39.89BGN 66.4
53.82%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.85₾44.59
$11.60BGN 19.30
45.26%
Cinema Ticket
$6.69₾17.71
$7.07BGN 11.76
-5.37%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$264₾699
$236BGN 393
11.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,169₾13.7K
$10.5KBGN 17.5K
-50.78%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.1₾199
$55.5BGN 92.3
35.38%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.26₾114
$41.49BGN 69.0
4.27%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾311
$80.7BGN 134
45.75%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111₾295
$70.5BGN 117
58.22%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$706₾1,868
$277BGN 460
154.99%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$461₾1,221
$194BGN 322
138.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,318₾3,488
$510BGN 848
158.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$781₾2,066
$329BGN 547
137.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,463₾6,517
$1,291BGN 2,147
90.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,409₾3,727
$1,045BGN 1,738
34.81%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Shumen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$672₾1,779
$1,052BGN 1,750
-36.08%
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: June 14, 2026
Last update for Shumen: June 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $706 in Tbilisi versus $277 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 – $206 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 Shumen compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,178 in Tbilisi, $872 in Shumen – roughly 35% 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 $1,767 per month in Tbilisi and $1,309 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 $1,178 in Tbilisi and $872 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 Shumen?
Public transport costs about 78% 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 $872, than in Tbilisi at $1,178. 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 $872 in Shumen to $1,178 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.