Cost of Living Comparison Between Ulaanbaatar and Tbilisi Cost of Living Comparison Between Ulaanbaatar and Tbilisi

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,160 per month in Ulaanbaatar vs $1,279 in Tbilisi, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,925 per month in Ulaanbaatar vs $2,011 in Tbilisi, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,691 per month in Ulaanbaatar vs $2,743 in Tbilisi, rent included.

Ulaanbaatar is about 9% cheaper than Tbilisi, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Ulaanbaatar and Tbilisi are more affordable than the global median – Ulaanbaatar 16% lower, Tbilisi 7% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ulaanbaatar
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.54 MNT 19.9K
$11.43 ₾29.72
-51.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.58 MNT 117.1K
$38.16 ₾99.2
-14.62%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.40 MNT 19.4K
$9.40 ₾24.45
-42.55%
Cappuccino
$2.38 MNT 8,567
$3.38 ₾8.78
-29.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.83 MNT 2,974
$1.04 ₾2.70
-20.19%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.57 MNT 2,032
$0.60 ₾1.56
-5.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.31 MNT 8,312
$2.71 ₾7.05
-14.76%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.25 MNT 11.7K
$3.04 ₾7.90
6.91%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ulaanbaatar
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.45 MNT 5,219
$2.27 ₾5.90
-36.12%
White Bread (500g)
$0.97 MNT 3,502
$0.79 ₾2.04
22.78%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.06 MNT 7,402
$1.62 ₾4.21
27.16%
Eggs
$2.15 MNT 7,747
$2.74 ₾7.13
-21.53%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.41 MNT 44.6K
$9.30 ₾24.19
33.44%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.85 MNT 17.4K
$6.79 ₾17.65
-28.57%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.16 MNT 25.7K
$13.01 ₾33.84
-44.97%
Apples (1kg)
$3.19 MNT 11.5K
$1.64 ₾4.27
94.51%
Banana (1kg)
$2.38 MNT 8,547
$1.83 ₾4.77
30.05%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.64 MNT 13.1K
$1.90 ₾4.94
91.58%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.12 MNT 11.2K
$2.57 ₾6.68
21.40%
Potato (1kg)
$0.70 MNT 2,499
$0.84 ₾2.19
-16.67%
Onion (1kg)
$1.04 MNT 3,756
$0.65 ₾1.70
60.00%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.75 MNT 6,280
$1.36 ₾3.54
28.68%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79 MNT 2,847
$0.80 ₾2.07
-1.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.77 MNT 6,353
$3.40 ₾8.85
-47.94%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.61 MNT 38.1K
$7.67 ₾19.94
38.33%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.50 MNT 5,388
$1.68 ₾4.36
-10.71%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72 MNT 6,200
$2.38 ₾6.18
-27.73%
🚌 Getting Around
Ulaanbaatar
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.29 MNT 1,045
$0.39 ₾1.02
-25.64%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$16.54 MNT 59.5K
$15.55 ₾40.44
6.37%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.51 MNT 1,846
$1.14 ₾2.96
-55.26%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.54 MNT 1,929
$0.74 ₾1.93
-27.03%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.23 MNT 22.4K
$11.32 ₾29.42
-44.96%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.06 MNT 3,803
$1.38 ₾3.60
-23.19%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.3K MNT 98.3M
$24.6K ₾63.9K
11.26%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.5K MNT 124.0M
$22.0K ₾57.2K
56.81%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ulaanbaatar
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$69.8 MNT 250.8K
$88.7 ₾231
-21.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.47 MNT 26.8K
$13.18 ₾34.26
-43.32%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.90 MNT 50.0K
$19.68 ₾51.2
-29.37%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ulaanbaatar
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$67.1 MNT 241.1K
$68.3 ₾177
-1.74%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.23 MNT 65.5K
$17.94 ₾46.65
1.62%
Cinema Ticket
$4.08 MNT 14.7K
$6.42 ₾16.70
-36.45%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ulaanbaatar
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$813 MNT 2.9M
$372 ₾967
118.60%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,436 MNT 30.3M
$10.8K ₾28.1K
-21.98%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ulaanbaatar
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$83.6 MNT 300.7K
$105 ₾272
-19.96%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.65 MNT 160.5K
$38.83 ₾101
14.99%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$105 MNT 377.1K
$115 ₾299
-8.68%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$190 MNT 683.9K
$122 ₾318
55.51%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ulaanbaatar
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$586 MNT 2.1M
$681 ₾1,770
-13.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$452 MNT 1.6M
$456 ₾1,185
-0.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,695 MNT 6.1M
$1,312 ₾3,410
29.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,020 MNT 3.7M
$892 ₾2,321
14.27%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,928 MNT 6.9M
$2,391 ₾6,216
-19.33%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$955 MNT 3.4M
$1,425 ₾3,704
-32.95%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ulaanbaatar
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$592 MNT 2.1M
$640 ₾1,663
-7.49%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.32
12.62
-18.23%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Ulaanbaatar: September 7, 2026

Last update for Tbilisi: September 5, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $586 in Ulaanbaatar versus $681 in Tbilisi. 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 8% higher in Tbilisi, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Ulaanbaatar versus $38.00 in Tbilisi. Groceries tell a different story – $237 in Ulaanbaatar vs $236 in Tbilisi – so Tbilisi 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
Ulaanbaatar vs Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Ulaanbaatar and in Tbilisi compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,160 in Ulaanbaatar, $1,279 in Tbilisi – roughly 10% apart. Tbilisi costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Ulaanbaatar compared to Tbilisi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,739 per month in Ulaanbaatar and $1,919 in Tbilisi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Ulaanbaatar and Tbilisi?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ulaanbaatar, 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 $33.00 in Ulaanbaatar and $38.00 in Tbilisi. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Ulaanbaatar or Tbilisi?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,160 in Ulaanbaatar and $1,279 in Tbilisi. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ulaanbaatar, where all-in costs run around $1,160, than in Tbilisi at $1,279. In Ulaanbaatar it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tbilisi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Ulaanbaatar and Tbilisi?
It depends on your priorities. Tbilisi has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,160 in Ulaanbaatar to $1,279 in Tbilisi. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Ulaanbaatar or Tbilisi 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 Ulaanbaatar and Tbilisi?
If budget matters most, go with Ulaanbaatar. 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.

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