Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and TaupoCost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Taupo
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,185 in Tbilisi versus $1,916 in Taupo.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,834 in Tbilisi versus $2,961 in Taupo.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,483 in Tbilisi versus $4,006 in Taupo.
🙂Living in Tbilisi costs roughly 38% less than in Taupo, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Tbilisi is 12% below, Taupo is 43% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Taupo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.15₾30.00
$15.37NZ$26.28
-27.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.13₾116
$79.3NZ$136
-45.62%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.22₾22.11
$9.38NZ$16.04
-12.37%
Cappuccino
$3.13₾8.42
$3.41NZ$5.83
-8.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74₾2.00
$2.35NZ$4.02
-68.51%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45₾1.22
$2.17NZ$3.72
-79.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.13₾5.74
$7.07NZ$12.09
-69.87%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.99₾8.06
$7.41NZ$12.67
-59.65%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Taupo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.89₾5.09
$1.73NZ$2.97
9.25%
White Bread(500g)
$0.73₾1.97
$2.12NZ$3.62
-65.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.85₾4.98
$2.04NZ$3.48
-9.31%
Eggs
$2.45₾6.58
$6.71NZ$11.47
-63.49%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.85₾21.12
$8.54NZ$14.61
-8.08%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.25₾16.82
$9.47NZ$16.20
-34.00%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.77₾26.28
$12.96NZ$22.17
-24.61%
Apples(1kg)
$1.21₾3.26
$2.89NZ$4.94
-58.13%
Banana(1kg)
$1.59₾4.28
$2.30NZ$3.93
-30.87%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.79₾4.81
$3.27NZ$5.59
-45.26%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.32₾6.25
$4.06NZ$6.93
-42.86%
Potato(1kg)
$0.71₾1.91
$1.99NZ$3.40
-64.32%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67₾1.81
$1.65NZ$2.82
-59.39%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18₾3.16
$1.88NZ$3.21
-37.23%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.71₾1.92
$1.24NZ$2.11
-42.74%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.92₾7.85
$25.56NZ$43.71
-88.58%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.25₾19.50
$10.15NZ$17.36
-28.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.55₾4.17
$2.96NZ$5.06
-47.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31₾6.21
$3.99NZ$6.82
-42.11%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Taupo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.38₾1.03
$2.05NZ$3.51
-81.46%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.81₾39.83
$63.4NZ$108
-76.63%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.48₾3.98
$2.08NZ$3.56
-28.85%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.69₾1.86
$2.01NZ$3.43
-65.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.45₾20.05
$35.00NZ$59.9
-78.71%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.15₾3.10
$1.63NZ$2.78
-29.45%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.0K₾48.4K
$28.5KNZ$48.7K
-36.80%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.8K₾53.4K
$22.3KNZ$38.1K
-11.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Taupo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.4₾198
$145NZ$248
-49.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.64₾31.32
$30.45NZ$52.1
-61.77%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.77₾47.79
$47.86NZ$81.8
-62.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Taupo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.6₾163
$36.06NZ$61.7
67.97%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.44₾44.21
$11.90NZ$20.35
38.15%
Cinema Ticket
$6.51₾17.52
$14.79NZ$25.29
-55.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Taupo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$263₾707
$920NZ$1,574
-71.47%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,136₾13.8K
$13.8KNZ$23.6K
-62.79%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Taupo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.7₾209
$71.1NZ$122
9.27%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.39₾119
$49.52NZ$84.7
-10.36%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118₾317
$100NZ$171
17.50%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114₾307
$126NZ$215
-9.27%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Taupo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$693₾1,865
$983NZ$1,681
-29.47%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$462₾1,244
$772NZ$1,320
-40.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,337₾3,597
$1,575NZ$2,694
-15.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$779₾2,096
$1,432NZ$2,448
-45.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,530₾6,805
$4,937NZ$8,442
-48.76%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,430₾3,847
$3,444NZ$5,889
-58.48%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Taupo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$633₾1,702
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
6.37
86.66%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: April 26, 2026
Last update for Taupo: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $693 in Tbilisi and $983 in Taupo. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $43.00 in Tbilisi vs $79.0 in Taupo for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $206 vs $322 per month, with Tbilisi cheaper across the board.
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 Taupo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Taupo cheaper than Tbilisi?
Tbilisi is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 62% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,777 in Tbilisi and $2,874 in Taupo to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Tbilisi and Taupo?
Rent for a central apartment: $693 in Tbilisi versus $983 in Taupo. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Tbilisi or Taupo?
Dining out is cheaper in Tbilisi – a meal for two runs $43.00 versus $79.0 in Taupo. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Tbilisi vs Taupo?
All in, you'll spend $1,185 per month in Tbilisi versus $1,916 in Taupo – a 62% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for Tbilisi or Taupo?
At $1,185 in Tbilisi versus $1,916 in Taupo, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tbilisi but tight or insufficient in Taupo. The gap between the two cities makes Tbilisi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Tbilisi or Taupo more family-friendly?
For families, Tbilisi is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Taupo, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Tbilisi or Taupo?
Safety-wise, Tbilisi and Taupo are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Tbilisi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 62% less than in Taupo. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.