😐A single person spends $1,197 per month in Tbilisi vs $846 in Stara Zagora, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,868 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,330 in Stara Zagora, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,538 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,814 in Stara Zagora, rent included.
😐Tbilisi costs about 42% more than Stara Zagora, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Tbilisi and Stara Zagora are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi10% lower, Stara Zagora37% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Stara Zagora
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.82₾28.38
$9.10BGN 15.13
18.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.85₾115
$35.43BGN 58.9
23.77%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.31₾21.79
$9.16BGN 15.23
-9.28%
Cappuccino
$2.97₾7.78
$1.91BGN 3.18
55.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77₾2.01
$1.28BGN 2.13
-39.84%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46₾1.20
$0.73BGN 1.22
-36.99%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.14₾5.63
$1.20BGN 2.00
78.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87₾7.52
$2.04BGN 3.40
40.69%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Stara Zagora
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.90₾4.99
$1.90BGN 3.15
-
White Bread(500g)
$0.71₾1.86
$0.82BGN 1.37
-13.41%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.91₾5.00
$1.55BGN 2.58
23.23%
Eggs
$2.48₾6.52
$2.27BGN 3.78
9.25%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.74₾20.29
$9.13BGN 15.19
-15.22%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.18₾16.20
$7.36BGN 12.25
-16.03%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.57₾25.11
$8.49BGN 14.12
12.72%
Apples(1kg)
$1.17₾3.06
$1.37BGN 2.28
-14.60%
Banana(1kg)
$1.65₾4.34
$1.66BGN 2.76
-0.60%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.85₾4.84
$1.85BGN 3.08
-
Tomato(1kg)
$2.33₾6.11
$2.16BGN 3.60
7.87%
Potato(1kg)
$0.71₾1.85
$1.01BGN 1.69
-29.70%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67₾1.76
$0.81BGN 1.35
-17.28%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.19₾3.12
$0.56BGN 0.93
112.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66₾1.72
$0.71BGN 1.19
-7.04%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.92₾7.65
$3.92BGN 6.52
-25.51%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.69₾20.17
$5.31BGN 8.84
44.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.59₾4.18
$1.23BGN 2.05
29.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31₾6.06
$2.16BGN 3.60
6.94%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Stara Zagora
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.38₾1.01
$0.91BGN 1.51
-58.24%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.76₾38.71
$19.02BGN 31.65
-22.40%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.50₾3.92
$1.34BGN 2.23
11.94%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.68₾1.77
$0.67BGN 1.12
1.49%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.26₾19.03
$11.59BGN 19.27
-37.36%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.09₾2.87
$1.49BGN 2.47
-26.85%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.6K₾48.8K
$24.8KBGN 41.3K
-25.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.5K₾53.7K
$17.4KBGN 29.0K
17.37%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Stara Zagora
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.0₾191
$101BGN 169
-28.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.97₾31.40
$15.19BGN 25.26
-21.20%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.00₾47.21
$11.35BGN 18.88
58.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Stara Zagora
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.0₾160
$19.34BGN 32.17
215.31%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.52₾43.33
$17.37BGN 28.90
-4.89%
Cinema Ticket
$6.70₾17.58
$7.88BGN 13.11
-14.97%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Stara Zagora
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$269₾705
$232BGN 386
15.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,152₾13.5K
$2,400BGN 3,993
114.64%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Stara Zagora
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$76.5₾201
$38.78BGN 64.5
97.32%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.41₾114
$19.03BGN 31.65
128.11%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$120₾316
$77.9BGN 130
54.58%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111₾290
$75.2BGN 125
47.02%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Stara Zagora
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$687₾1,802
$248BGN 413
176.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$470₾1,234
$226BGN 376
108.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,353₾3,549
$399BGN 664
239.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$789₾2,069
$356BGN 592
121.47%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,468₾6,472
$1,497BGN 2,490
64.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,456₾3,817
$1,082BGN 1,800
34.56%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Stara Zagora
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$659₾1,729
$1,044BGN 1,737
-36.86%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
3.4
249.71%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: July 13, 2026
Last update for Stara Zagora: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $687 in Tbilisi versus $248 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 58% 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 $44.00 in Tbilisi versus $35.00 in Stara Zagora. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $205 vs $204 – making Stara Zagora 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 Stara Zagora: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Tbilisi and in Stara Zagora compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,197 in Tbilisi, $846 in Stara Zagora – roughly 42% 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 $1,796 per month in Tbilisi and $1,269 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 1% 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 $44.00 in Tbilisi and $35.00 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 $846, than in Tbilisi at $1,197. 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 $846 in Stara Zagora to $1,197 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.