How Much Does It Cost to Live In Tbilisi?
The ancient capital city of Tbilisi has a lot of interesting places that you will only be able to see if you stay here for long.
The prices here are rather low but to stay and discover hospitality, cuisine, and nature you will have to sweat and toil to find a decent flat or room.
You might even fall in love with Tbilisi, get a job here, and become a permanent resident.
Many people dream of living in Tbilisi because this is a cheap capital city.
There’s a well-developed infrastructure, amazing nature, fresh air, and healing water.
Let us see the real prices and state of things here in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Georgia : Cost of Living by City
RESTAURANTS
Tbilisi is the city of gourmets which due to the historical events efficiently combined the dishes for meat eaters and vegetarians.
The most expensive restaurants are located in the old part of the city.
The Georgian fast food means khachapuri and khinkali which are cheap and very delicious.
The restaurants in the suburbs are the quietest and queue free.
MARKETS
In Tbilisi, there are five big markets where you can find all the necessary food for your dinner table.
The prices for meat and cheese are the highest while the rest of the products can be bought at relevantly low prices.
The most popular food market where you can also buy pastry, homemade cheese, and spices, is located near the railway station.
TRANSPORTATION
One of the most developed transportation system in Georgia can be seen in Tbilisi.
The means of public transport you can use here to travel around are buses, minibusses, metro, funicular, and ropeway.
Trams and trolleybuses disappeared in 2006.
If you want to buy a car, the Volkswagen Golf is $11,214 and Toyota Corolla is $13,000.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
Bills for electricity, water, garbage, cooling and heating in Tbilisi has increased in the last year.
As of 2019, the average monthly payment for utilities makes $59.52.
A minute of calling someone on the mobile phone in case you are not subscribed to some special tariffs is $0.09.
Those connected to the Internet pay $16.06 monthly.
SPORTS & LEISURE
Apart from the traditional ways of keeping fit like fitness clubs and tennis, Tbilisi offers a wide range of sports for an active lifestyle.
Thus, you can go hiking, biking, paragliding, kayaking in the mountains and a lot more.
In case you do not like the active life, there are cinemas in different parts of the city.
An average price for a seat at the international release movie is $5.24.
CLOTHING & SHOES
Shopping in Tbilisi is best done in the large shopping malls.
This is convenient because you can find everything in one place.
Although you will have to own or rent a car to get there because Tbilisi malls are located in the suburbs.
Some people are accustomed to buying clothes and shoes in the markets or in smaller shops.
RENT PER MONTH
Private houses, villas, cottages, apartments – this is not the entire list of accommodation that is permanently rented out in Tbilisi.
Finding a cheap and decent accommodation which is fully furnished and nice might be problematic but still possible if you have time to search well.
As for the prices, a three-bedroom apartment outside the city center is $358.11 and this can be a perfect option for the friends or families sharing rooms.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Tbilisi
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $5.62 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $1.12 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.18 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $1.17 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $0.33 |
| Eggs (12) | $1.30 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $0.19 |
| Monthly Pass | $11.24 |
| Gasoline | $0.91 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $59.52 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.09 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $16.06 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $36.04 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $10.08 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $5.24 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $54.62 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $29.59 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $75.86 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $304.86 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $185.68 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $605.20 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Tbilisi?
The average person in Tbilisi spends most of their money on markets.
No doubt, the nature is so beautiful, the people are so hard-working, and naturally, they sell and buy eco-friendly products, homemade sausages, and cheese, farmer milk, eggs, vegetables, and herbs.
Well, the second place is traditionally given to the monthly rent.
This is one of the most expensive items of expenditure and in terms of the salaries in Tbilisi is quite reasonable.
People spend a little less money on restaurants and transportation.
As much as 6.7% of the money is put off to pay for utilities.
We have already mentioned that Tbilisi is a perfect destination for mountain and water sports, so the Georgians and guests of the city take advantage of it paying 9.4% of income for sports and leisure.
Average Costs Breakdown
Tbilisi: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
The things with the salaries are not so fun in Tbilisi.
You have to work really hard to live a decent life here.
Most people are said to be rather poor than rich.
The authorities report doing their best to increase the level of salaries and life of the average Tbilisi resident.
But the average salary remains at the level of $305.41 per month for qualified employees and the minimum wage is extremely low.
That situation affects the mortgage interest rate which has increased to 11.05% per year.
The housing loan is usually taken for twenty years in Tbilisi just like in many other world countries.
The highest salaries are paid out in the financial sphere, building, and medicine.
Teachers and service workers are paid very low.
Tbilisi Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Tbilisi Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
