😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,247 in Tbilisi versus $883 in Sungai Petani.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,025 in Tbilisi versus $1,334 in Sungai Petani.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,803 in Tbilisi versus $1,785 in Sungai Petani.
🌍Living in Tbilisi is roughly 41% more expensive than in Sungai Petani, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tbilisi9% lower, Sungai Petani35% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Sungai Petani
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.33₾29.45
$3.61MYR 14.72
213.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.71₾101
$19.99MYR 81.6
93.65%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.52₾24.73
$4.56MYR 18.62
108.77%
Cappuccino
$3.41₾8.85
$1.75MYR 7.13
94.86%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04₾2.71
$0.77MYR 3.14
35.06%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64₾1.66
$0.38MYR 1.57
68.42%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.61₾6.79
$4.26MYR 17.38
-38.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24₾8.43
$3.00MYR 12.26
8.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Sungai Petani
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.17₾5.65
$1.85MYR 7.56
17.30%
White Bread(500g)
$0.74₾1.92
$1.09MYR 4.44
-32.11%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71₾4.45
$1.75MYR 7.16
-2.29%
Eggs
$2.83₾7.36
$2.20MYR 8.97
28.64%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.22₾23.95
$9.48MYR 38.68
-2.74%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.76₾17.55
$4.35MYR 17.78
55.40%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.77₾33.17
$8.60MYR 35.09
48.49%
Apples(1kg)
$1.64₾4.26
$2.90MYR 11.82
-43.45%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77₾4.60
$1.73MYR 7.08
2.31%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87₾4.85
$2.49MYR 10.15
-24.90%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.44₾6.34
$1.43MYR 5.83
70.63%
Potato(1kg)
$0.87₾2.25
$1.07MYR 4.37
-18.69%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65₾1.70
$1.15MYR 4.71
-43.48%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40₾3.64
$1.10MYR 4.49
27.27%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74₾1.93
$0.58MYR 2.37
27.59%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.41₾8.86
$4.38MYR 17.90
-22.15%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.60₾19.75
$19.52MYR 79.7
-61.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70₾4.41
$3.03MYR 12.39
-43.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38₾6.20
$4.00MYR 16.33
-40.50%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Sungai Petani
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₾0.94
$0.77MYR 3.16
-53.25%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.24₾39.60
$12.47MYR 50.9
22.21%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.18₾3.07
$1.74MYR 7.12
-32.18%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.76₾1.97
$0.41MYR 1.66
85.37%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.34₾29.47
$7.19MYR 29.34
57.72%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.33₾3.46
$0.48MYR 1.97
177.08%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7K₾64.2K
$42.4KMYR 173.0K
-41.64%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0K₾57.2K
$34.4KMYR 140.6K
-36.06%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Sungai Petani
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.9₾231
$36.98MYR 151
140.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.33₾34.63
$10.10MYR 41.25
31.98%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12₾52.3
$19.78MYR 80.7
1.72%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Sungai Petani
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.7₾178
$40.50MYR 165
69.56%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.09₾47.01
$6.49MYR 26.51
178.74%
Cinema Ticket
$6.72₾17.46
$2.98MYR 12.16
125.50%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Sungai Petani
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$374₾971
$425MYR 1,735
-12.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7K₾27.8K
$10.9KMYR 44.4K
-1.63%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Sungai Petani
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$101₾263
$60.2MYR 246
68.23%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.33₾102
$34.80MYR 142
13.02%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾305
$74.7MYR 305
57.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122₾318
$68.8MYR 281
77.74%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Sungai Petani
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$682₾1,773
$411MYR 1,679
65.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$456₾1,186
$309MYR 1,260
47.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,303₾3,385
$690MYR 2,817
88.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$899₾2,337
$491MYR 2,005
83.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,449₾6,365
$2,045MYR 8,349
19.78%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,452₾3,774
$1,136MYR 4,640
27.80%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Sungai Petani
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$652₾1,695
$501MYR 2,047
30.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.62
4.24
197.64%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: September 13, 2026
Last update for Sungai Petani: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $682 in Tbilisi and $411 in Sungai Petani. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Tbilisi pays 30% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $39.00 in Tbilisi vs $20.00 in Sungai Petani. Groceries flip the comparison at $232 vs $242, with Tbilisi cheaper for home cooking.
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 Sungai Petani: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tbilisi and in Sungai Petani?
Tbilisi and Sungai Petani differ by about 41% in total monthly costs ($1,247 vs $883 including rent). Sungai Petani is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Tbilisi or Sungai Petani?
Average pay runs 30% higher in Tbilisi, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Tbilisi and in Sungai Petani?
Rent for a central apartment: $682 in Tbilisi versus $411 in Sungai Petani. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Tbilisi and Sungai Petani?
Childcare runs $374 in Tbilisi versus $425 in Sungai Petani. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Tbilisi pay roughly 4% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $883 in Sungai Petani versus $1,247 in Tbilisi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Sungai Petani but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Sungai Petani the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Tbilisi and Sungai Petani?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Tbilisi or Sungai Petani safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Sungai Petani are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Tbilisi or Sungai Petani?
Expats usually find Sungai Petani gentler on the wallet – expenses run 41% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.