Cost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and UrumqiCost of Living Comparison Between Tbilisi and Urumqi
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $1,197 per month in Tbilisi vs $532 in Urumqi, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,868 per month in Tbilisi vs $848 in Urumqi, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,538 per month in Tbilisi vs $1,164 in Urumqi, rent included.
😐Tbilisi costs about 125% more than Urumqi, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Tbilisi and Urumqi are more affordable than the global median – Tbilisi10% lower, Urumqi60% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tbilisi
Urumqi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.82₾28.38
$3.28¥22.14
229.88%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.85₾115
$19.41¥131
125.91%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.31₾21.79
$5.21¥35.22
59.50%
Cappuccino
$2.97₾7.78
$2.91¥19.68
2.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77₾2.01
$0.42¥2.87
83.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46₾1.20
$0.22¥1.49
109.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.14₾5.63
$1.14¥7.71
87.72%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87₾7.52
$2.61¥17.67
9.96%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tbilisi
Urumqi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.90₾4.99
$1.08¥7.32
75.93%
White Bread(500g)
$0.71₾1.86
$0.82¥5.56
-13.41%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.91₾5.00
$0.36¥2.46
430.56%
Eggs
$2.48₾6.52
$1.46¥9.86
69.86%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.74₾20.29
$5.73¥38.69
35.08%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.18₾16.20
$2.05¥13.86
201.46%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.57₾25.11
$10.25¥69.3
-6.63%
Apples(1kg)
$1.17₾3.06
$1.69¥11.45
-30.77%
Banana(1kg)
$1.65₾4.34
$1.08¥7.30
52.78%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.85₾4.84
$1.40¥9.47
32.14%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.33₾6.11
$0.53¥3.60
339.62%
Potato(1kg)
$0.71₾1.85
$0.41¥2.75
73.17%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67₾1.76
$0.83¥5.61
-19.28%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.19₾3.12
$0.69¥4.63
72.46%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66₾1.72
$0.51¥3.48
29.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.92₾7.65
$2.18¥14.72
33.94%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.69₾20.17
$10.30¥69.6
-25.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.59₾4.18
$1.02¥6.93
55.88%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31₾6.06
$1.77¥11.95
30.51%
🚌 Getting Around
Tbilisi
Urumqi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.38₾1.01
$0.16¥1.11
137.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.76₾38.71
$14.09¥95.2
4.76%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.50₾3.92
$1.38¥9.31
8.70%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.68₾1.77
$0.35¥2.39
94.29%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.26₾19.03
$7.78¥52.6
-6.68%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.09₾2.87
$1.12¥7.56
-2.68%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.6K₾48.8K
$22.1K¥149.3K
-15.80%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.5K₾53.7K
$19.2K¥129.6K
6.72%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tbilisi
Urumqi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.0₾191
$41.22¥279
77.10%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.97₾31.40
$5.56¥37.56
115.29%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.00₾47.21
$14.19¥95.9
26.85%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tbilisi
Urumqi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.0₾160
$14.13¥95.5
331.56%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.52₾43.33
$8.15¥55.1
102.70%
Cinema Ticket
$6.70₾17.58
$4.92¥33.27
36.18%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tbilisi
Urumqi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$269₾705
$167¥1,130
60.72%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,152₾13.5K
$7,721¥52.2K
-33.28%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tbilisi
Urumqi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$76.5₾201
$27.59¥186
177.35%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.41₾114
$13.81¥93.3
214.34%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$120₾316
$87.6¥592
37.56%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111₾290
$27.71¥187
298.99%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tbilisi
Urumqi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$687₾1,802
$240¥1,622
186.36%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$470₾1,234
$111¥747
325.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,353₾3,549
$410¥2,768
230.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$789₾2,069
$206¥1,390
283.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,468₾6,472
$1,826¥12.3K
35.17%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,456₾3,817
$1,147¥7,749
26.93%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tbilisi
Urumqi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$659₾1,729
$1,124¥7,598
-41.38%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.89
3
296.33%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tbilisi: July 13, 2026
Last update for Urumqi: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $687 in Tbilisi versus $240 in Urumqi. 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 71% higher in Urumqi, 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 $19.00 in Urumqi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $205 vs $149 – making Urumqi 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 Urumqi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Tbilisi and in Urumqi compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,197 in Tbilisi, $532 in Urumqi – roughly 125% apart. Tbilisi costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Tbilisi compared to Urumqi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,796 per month in Tbilisi and $797 in Urumqi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Tbilisi and Urumqi?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Urumqi, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $44.00 in Tbilisi and $19.00 in Urumqi. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Tbilisi or Urumqi?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,197 in Tbilisi and $532 in Urumqi. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Urumqi, where all-in costs run around $532, than in Tbilisi at $1,197. In Urumqi 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 Urumqi?
It depends on your priorities. Tbilisi has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $532 in Urumqi to $1,197 in Tbilisi. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Tbilisi or Urumqi 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 Urumqi?
If budget matters most, go with Urumqi. 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.