😐A single person spends $1,197 per month in Tbilisi vs $862 in Smolensk, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,868 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,413 in Smolensk, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,538 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,964 in Smolensk, rent included.
😐Tbilisi costs about 39% more than Smolensk, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Tbilisi and Smolensk are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi10% lower, Smolensk35% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Smolensk
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.82₾28.39
$9.41₽739
14.98%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.85₾115
$37.54₽2,947
16.81%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.31₾21.80
$5.77₽453
44.02%
Cappuccino
$2.97₾7.78
$2.34₽184
26.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77₾2.01
$1.07₽83.8
-28.04%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46₾1.20
$0.48₽37.46
-4.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.14₾5.63
$1.38₽108
55.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87₾7.52
$2.51₽197
14.34%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Smolensk
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.90₾4.99
$1.08₽84.5
75.93%
White Bread(500g)
$0.71₾1.86
$0.65₽51.0
9.23%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.91₾5.00
$1.41₽111
35.46%
Eggs
$2.48₾6.52
$1.53₽120
62.09%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.74₾20.29
$11.18₽878
-30.77%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.18₾16.21
$4.46₽350
38.57%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.57₾25.12
$13.16₽1,033
-27.28%
Apples(1kg)
$1.17₾3.06
$1.89₽148
-38.10%
Banana(1kg)
$1.65₾4.34
$1.86₽146
-11.29%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.85₾4.84
$1.90₽149
-2.63%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.33₾6.11
$2.27₽178
2.64%
Potato(1kg)
$0.71₾1.85
$0.93₽72.9
-23.66%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67₾1.76
$0.99₽77.5
-32.32%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.19₾3.12
$0.94₽74.1
26.60%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66₾1.72
$0.59₽46.11
11.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.92₾7.65
$2.59₽203
12.74%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.69₾20.18
$6.47₽508
18.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.59₾4.18
$0.95₽74.5
67.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31₾6.06
$1.57₽123
47.13%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Smolensk
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.38₾1.01
$0.46₽36.36
-17.39%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.76₾38.72
$10.27₽806
43.72%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.50₾3.92
$1.00₽78.1
50.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.68₾1.77
$0.33₽25.78
106.06%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.26₾19.04
$6.51₽511
11.52%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.09₾2.87
$0.79₽61.8
37.97%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.6K₾48.8K
$15.3K₽1.2M
21.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.5K₾53.7K
$28.2K₽2.2M
-27.51%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Smolensk
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.0₾192
$71.5₽5,611
2.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.97₾31.41
$8.01₽628
49.44%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.00₾47.22
$8.97₽704
100.67%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Smolensk
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.0₾160
$41.49₽3,256
46.98%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.52₾43.34
$10.19₽800
62.12%
Cinema Ticket
$6.70₾17.58
$4.80₽377
39.58%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Smolensk
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$269₾705
$153₽12.0K
75.21%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,152₾13.5K
$6,929₽543.8K
-25.64%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Smolensk
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$76.5₾201
$74.7₽5,863
2.44%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.41₾114
$48.34₽3,794
-10.20%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$120₾316
$121₽9,493
-0.41%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111₾290
$83.3₽6,534
32.80%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Smolensk
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$687₾1,803
$345₽27.1K
98.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$470₾1,234
$232₽18.2K
102.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,353₾3,550
$598₽46.9K
126.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$789₾2,069
$424₽33.3K
85.85%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,468₾6,473
$1,065₽83.6K
131.72%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,456₾3,818
$660₽51.8K
120.63%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Smolensk
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$659₾1,729
$810₽63.6K
-18.62%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
11.9
-0.08%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: July 13, 2026
Last update for Smolensk: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $687 in Tbilisi versus $345 in Smolensk. 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 23% higher in Smolensk, 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 $44.00 in Tbilisi versus $38.00 in Smolensk. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $205 vs $200 – making Smolensk 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 Smolensk: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smolensk cheaper than Tbilisi?
Yes – Tbilisi is pricier by about 39%, 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 $1,796 per month in Tbilisi and $1,293 in Smolensk. 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 Smolensk, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $269 per month in Tbilisi and $153 in Smolensk. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Tbilisi and in Smolensk?
Groceries cost about 3% more in Tbilisi, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Tbilisi or in Smolensk?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Smolensk, where all-in costs run around $862, than in Tbilisi at $1,197. In Smolensk it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tbilisi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Tbilisi or Smolensk more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Smolensk – 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 Smolensk?
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 Smolensk. 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.