😐A single person spends $1,247 per month in Tbilisi vs $904 in Stara Zagora, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,025 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,414 in Stara Zagora, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,803 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,925 in Stara Zagora, rent included.
😐Tbilisi costs about 38% more than Stara Zagora, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Tbilisi and Stara Zagora are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi9% lower, Stara Zagora34% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Stara Zagora
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.33₾29.45
$10.80BGN 17.97
4.91%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.71₾101
$52.3BGN 87.0
-25.96%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.52₾24.73
$9.43BGN 15.69
0.95%
Cappuccino
$3.41₾8.85
$2.29BGN 3.82
48.91%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04₾2.71
$1.56BGN 2.59
-33.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64₾1.66
$0.92BGN 1.53
-30.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.61₾6.79
$2.32BGN 3.86
12.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24₾8.43
$2.10BGN 3.49
54.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Stara Zagora
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.17₾5.65
$1.86BGN 3.09
16.67%
White Bread(500g)
$0.74₾1.92
$0.89BGN 1.49
-16.85%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71₾4.45
$1.51BGN 2.51
13.25%
Eggs
$2.83₾7.36
$2.34BGN 3.89
20.94%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.22₾23.95
$9.34BGN 15.54
-1.28%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.76₾17.55
$6.81BGN 11.34
-0.73%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.77₾33.17
$8.52BGN 14.18
49.88%
Apples(1kg)
$1.64₾4.26
$1.36BGN 2.26
20.59%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77₾4.60
$1.68BGN 2.79
5.36%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87₾4.85
$1.75BGN 2.91
6.86%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.44₾6.34
$1.95BGN 3.24
25.13%
Potato(1kg)
$0.87₾2.25
$1.02BGN 1.70
-14.71%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65₾1.70
$0.79BGN 1.31
-17.72%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40₾3.64
$0.58BGN 0.96
141.38%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74₾1.93
$0.68BGN 1.14
8.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.41₾8.86
$3.90BGN 6.49
-12.56%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.60₾19.75
$5.16BGN 8.59
47.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70₾4.41
$1.18BGN 1.97
44.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38₾6.20
$1.79BGN 2.97
32.96%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Stara Zagora
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.94
$0.93BGN 1.55
-61.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.24₾39.60
$18.62BGN 30.97
-18.15%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.18₾3.07
$1.33BGN 2.21
-11.28%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.76₾1.97
$0.68BGN 1.13
11.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.34₾29.47
$12.02BGN 20.00
-5.66%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.33₾3.46
$1.58BGN 2.63
-15.82%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7K₾64.2K
$30.8KBGN 51.2K
-19.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0K₾57.2K
$20.9KBGN 34.9K
5.13%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Stara Zagora
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.9₾231
$94.5BGN 157
-5.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.33₾34.63
$14.98BGN 24.92
-11.01%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12₾52.3
$12.50BGN 20.79
60.96%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Stara Zagora
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.7₾178
$27.89BGN 46.40
146.22%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.09₾47.01
$21.77BGN 36.21
-16.90%
Cinema Ticket
$6.72₾17.46
$8.89BGN 14.79
-24.41%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Stara Zagora
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$374₾971
$239BGN 397
56.38%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7K₾27.8K
$2,395BGN 3,984
346.73%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Stara Zagora
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$101₾263
$31.86BGN 53.0
217.67%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.33₾102
$19.81BGN 32.95
98.54%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾305
$65.6BGN 109
79.06%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122₾318
$52.8BGN 87.9
131.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Stara Zagora
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$682₾1,773
$299BGN 497
128.37%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$456₾1,186
$263BGN 438
73.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,303₾3,385
$516BGN 858
152.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$899₾2,337
$407BGN 677
121.01%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,449₾6,365
$1,496BGN 2,488
63.78%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,452₾3,774
$1,101BGN 1,831
31.95%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Stara Zagora
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$652₾1,695
$1,086BGN 1,807
-39.95%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.62
2.99
322.07%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026
Last update for Stara Zagora: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $682 in Tbilisi versus $299 in Stara Zagora. 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 67% higher in Stara Zagora, 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 $52.0 in Stara Zagora. Groceries tell a different story – $232 in Tbilisi vs $199 in Stara Zagora – so Stara Zagora 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 Stara Zagora: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Tbilisi and in Stara Zagora compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,247 in Tbilisi, $904 in Stara Zagora – roughly 38% apart. Tbilisi costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Tbilisi compared to Stara Zagora?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,870 per month in Tbilisi and $1,356 in Stara Zagora. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Tbilisi and Stara Zagora?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Stara Zagora, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 17% more in Tbilisi, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $39.00 in Tbilisi and $52.0 in Stara Zagora. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Stara Zagora, where all-in costs run around $904, than in Tbilisi at $1,247. In Stara Zagora 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 Stara Zagora?
It depends on your priorities. Tbilisi has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $904 in Stara Zagora to $1,247 in Tbilisi. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Tbilisi or Stara Zagora 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 Stara Zagora?
If budget matters most, go with Stara Zagora. 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.