Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and SkienCost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Skien
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂A single person spends $1,178 per month in Tbilisi vs $2,324 in Skien, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,848 per month in Tbilisi vs $3,259 in Skien, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,518 per month in Tbilisi vs $4,195 in Skien, rent included.
🙂Tbilisi is about 49% cheaper than Skien, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Tbilisi sits 12% below the global median, while Skien is 74% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Skien
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.09₾29.33
$29.05NOK 283
-61.82%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.24₾114
$102NOK 994
-57.65%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.55₾22.62
$13.49NOK 131
-36.62%
Cappuccino
$2.97₾7.86
$4.85NOK 47.25
-38.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76₾2.01
$2.43NOK 23.68
-68.72%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46₾1.22
$2.12NOK 20.61
-78.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.22₾5.87
$9.04NOK 88.1
-75.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92₾7.72
$9.54NOK 93.0
-69.39%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Skien
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.97₾5.21
$1.93NOK 18.77
2.07%
White Bread(500g)
$0.73₾1.94
$3.29NOK 32.03
-77.81%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.82₾4.81
$3.16NOK 30.77
-42.41%
Eggs
$2.49₾6.60
$4.33NOK 42.22
-42.49%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.66₾20.26
$11.34NOK 110
-32.45%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.27₾16.58
$14.30NOK 139
-56.15%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.50₾25.12
$25.49NOK 248
-62.73%
Apples(1kg)
$1.23₾3.24
$3.67NOK 35.77
-66.49%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64₾4.32
$2.35NOK 22.84
-30.21%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87₾4.95
$3.26NOK 31.76
-42.64%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.27₾6.01
$4.19NOK 40.85
-45.82%
Potato(1kg)
$0.67₾1.77
$2.30NOK 22.42
-70.87%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67₾1.78
$2.17NOK 21.10
-69.12%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.22₾3.23
$3.00NOK 29.20
-59.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70₾1.85
$1.84NOK 17.91
-61.96%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.92₾7.72
$19.38NOK 189
-84.93%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.72₾20.40
$15.85NOK 154
-51.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.55₾4.09
$3.15NOK 30.65
-50.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22₾5.86
$3.93NOK 38.29
-43.51%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Skien
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.39₾1.02
$2.65NOK 25.78
-85.28%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.67₾38.78
$43.14NOK 420
-65.99%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44₾3.82
$34.76NOK 339
-95.86%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.69₾1.81
$1.43NOK 13.97
-51.75%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.37₾19.50
$102NOK 998
-92.81%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14₾3.03
$2.12NOK 20.61
-46.23%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.2K₾48.0K
$26.1KNOK 254.2K
-30.42%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.4K₾54.1K
$36.0KNOK 350.8K
-43.24%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Skien
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.6₾195
$96.3NOK 938
-23.52%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.64₾30.78
$37.27NOK 363
-68.77%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.63₾46.62
$37.31NOK 363
-52.75%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Skien
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.4₾162
$36.92NOK 360
66.20%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.85₾44.55
$35.83NOK 349
-52.97%
Cinema Ticket
$6.69₾17.69
$13.92NOK 136
-51.94%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Skien
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$264₾698
$307NOK 2,988
-13.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,169₾13.7K
$10.2KNOK 99.1K
-49.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Skien
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.1₾199
$40.16NOK 391
87.03%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.26₾114
$35.36NOK 344
22.34%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾311
$89.6NOK 873
31.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111₾295
$154NOK 1,499
-27.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Skien
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$706₾1,866
$975NOK 9,500
-27.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$461₾1,220
$973NOK 9,480
-52.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,318₾3,486
$1,116NOK 10.9K
18.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$781₾2,064
$921NOK 8,968
-15.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,463₾6,512
$3,482NOK 33.9K
-29.28%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,409₾3,725
$3,143NOK 30.6K
-55.19%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Skien
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$672₾1,778
$4,210NOK 41.0K
-84.03%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
3.8
212.89%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: June 14, 2026
Last update for Skien: June 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $706 in Tbilisi versus $975 in Skien. 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 526% higher in Skien, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $43.00 in Tbilisi versus $102 in Skien. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $206 vs $431 – making Tbilisi 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 Skien: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Skien cheaper than Tbilisi?
Yes – Skien is pricier by about 97%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,767 per month in Tbilisi and $3,486 in Skien. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Tbilisi, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Is eating out cheaper in Tbilisi or in Skien?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $43.00 in Tbilisi and $102 in Skien. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Tbilisi and in Skien?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,178 in Tbilisi and $2,324 in Skien. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Tbilisi or in Skien?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Tbilisi, where all-in costs run around $1,178, than in Skien at $2,324. In Tbilisi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Skien it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Tbilisi or Skien more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Tbilisi – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Tbilisi or Skien?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Tbilisi. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Skien makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.