You've seen the "Tbilisi is so cheap!" posts on Reddit. You've also seen the "it's not that cheap anymore" replies. Both are right, depending on your lifestyle. Here's what it actually costs to live in Tbilisi in 2026 — no hand-waving, just real numbers.
Currency Note
Georgia uses the Georgian Lari (GEL). As of early 2026, 1 USD ≈ 2.7 GEL. Most rental prices are quoted in USD. Everything else is in Lari. All USD figures in this guide use that rate.
The TL;DR — Monthly Budget Overview
Before we dive deep, here's the bottom line. These are realistic monthly totals for a single expat living in Tbilisi:
Now let's break down each category so you know exactly where the money goes.
Rent & Housing
Rent is your biggest expense — usually 40–50% of your total budget. Tbilisi's rental market has changed a lot since 2022, when a wave of relocations pushed prices up. They've stabilized since, but "dirt cheap" is no longer accurate for central neighborhoods.
| Apartment Type | City Center | Outside Center | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bedroom | $500–$700 | $350–$500 | Most common for solo expats |
| 2-bedroom | $700–$1,000 | $500–$700 | Couples or home-office setup |
| 3-bedroom | $1,000–$1,500 | $700–$1,000 | Families, shared flats |
| New-build luxury (Vake/Vera) | $1,200–$2,000+ | — | Modern finishes, parking, gym |
What "city center" means in Tbilisi: Vake, Vera, Saburtalo, Old Town, Marjanishvili, and Rustaveli area. "Outside center" typically means Gldani, Isani, Didube, or Dighomi — still well-connected but less walkable to the main social hubs.
Rental Tips
- • Always negotiate — especially for 6–12 month leases. 10–15% off asking is normal.
- • Avoid Airbnb for long stays. It's 30–50% more expensive than SS.ge or MyHome.ge.
- • Soviet-era apartments are cheapest but often have plumbing/heating issues. Renovated Soviet-era can be great value.
- • Deposit is typically 1 month. Some landlords ask for 2.
- • Utilities are separate — always confirm before signing.
Where Expats Actually Live
Short answer: Vake and Vera dominate. Saburtalo is the best-value option with good infrastructure. Marjanishvili is trendy. Old Town is beautiful but can be noisy and tourist-heavy.
🌳 Vake
Most popular with expats. Tree-lined streets, good cafés, Vake Park, international schools nearby.
1-bed: $550–$800🎨 Vera
Bohemian, walkable, full of character. Smaller apartments, quiet streets, very central.
1-bed: $500–$700🏙️ Saburtalo
Best value for money. Good metro access, supermarkets, newer buildings mixed with Soviet blocks.
1-bed: $400–$600🎭 Marjanishvili
Hip and central. Fabrika hostel crowd, galleries, nightlife. Noisier but vibrant.
1-bed: $500–$750Utilities & Internet
Utilities in Tbilisi are genuinely cheap — this is where the cost advantage really shows compared to Western Europe. For an 85m² apartment, expect:
| Utility | Monthly (GEL) | Monthly (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity, heating, water, garbage | 150–340 GEL | $55–$125 |
| Internet (60+ Mbps unlimited) | 45–90 GEL | $17–$33 |
| Mobile plan (10GB+ data) | 20–45 GEL | $7–$17 |
Winter Heating Warning
Utility costs swing dramatically between seasons. Summer might be 80 GEL total. Winter (December–February) can hit 300–400 GEL for the same apartment due to gas heating. Always ask your landlord about the heating system — gas is cheaper than electric, but old Soviet radiators can be inefficient.
Internet quality: Tbilisi has excellent internet. Magti and Silknet are the main providers. Fiber is widely available in central neighborhoods, and 100 Mbps plans are standard. This is not a city where you'll struggle to take Zoom calls.
Groceries & Markets
Grocery shopping in Tbilisi is one of the best-value parts of living here — especially if you shop at local markets rather than supermarkets. Here's what common items cost:
| Item | Price (GEL) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (1 liter) | 5.35 GEL | $2.00 |
| Bread (500g loaf) | 2.11 GEL | $0.78 |
| Eggs (12) | 6.98 GEL | $2.59 |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | 18.20 GEL | $6.74 |
| Beef (1 kg) | 27.74 GEL | $10.27 |
| Local cheese (1 kg) | 22.44 GEL | $8.31 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | 5.74 GEL | $2.13 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | 2.06 GEL | $0.76 |
| Apples (1 kg) | 3.86 GEL | $1.43 |
| Wine (mid-range bottle) | 20 GEL | $7.41 |
| Water (1.5L bottle) | 1.86 GEL | $0.69 |
Total monthly grocery bill: For a single person cooking at home most days, expect $200–$350/month depending on your diet and whether you eat meat regularly.
Where to Shop
- • Carrefour / Nikora / Ori Nabiji — main supermarket chains. Prices are similar.
- • Dezerter Bazaar — Tbilisi's largest farmers' market. Unbeatable for produce, cheese, spices, and dried fruit. Go early.
- • Goodwill — premium imported goods. Good for international products but pricey.
- • Local corner shops — "magazias" are everywhere. Great for basics, bread, and dairy.
Eating Out & Cafés
Eating out in Tbilisi is still one of the best deals in Europe. Georgian cuisine is hearty, delicious, and cheap. Third-wave coffee is thriving. Here are current prices:
| Item | Price (GEL) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Local restaurant meal | 30 GEL | $11 |
| Mid-range dinner for 2 (3 courses) | 120 GEL | $44 |
| Khachapuri (cheese bread) | 8–15 GEL | $3–$5.50 |
| Khinkali (dumplings, per piece) | 1.2–1.8 GEL | $0.45–$0.67 |
| Cappuccino | 8.50 GEL | $3.15 |
| Draft beer (0.5L) | 7 GEL | $2.60 |
| McDonald's combo | 24 GEL | $8.90 |
A full Georgian meal with khachapuri, khinkali, salad, and a beer can easily come to 35–50 GEL ($13–18) per person. That's hard to beat anywhere in Europe.
Tbilisi has an incredible specialty coffee scene — third-wave shops on nearly every block in central neighborhoods. Popular spots include Prospero's Books & Caliban's Coffee, Entrée, Café Littera, and dozens of smaller roasters. Budget for coffee lovers: 200–400 GEL ($75–$150) per month if you're drinking 1–2 coffees a day at cafés.
Transport
Tbilisi is compact enough that many expats barely spend anything on transport. But here's the full picture:
| Transport | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Metro / bus (single ride) | 1 GEL ($0.37) | Metromoney card, transfers free for 90 min |
| Monthly transport pass | 40 GEL ($15) | Unlimited rides |
| Bolt/Yandex ride (5 km) | 5–10 GEL ($2–$4) | Surge pricing during rush hour |
| Bolt/Yandex across town (10+ km) | 12–20 GEL ($4.50–$7.50) | E.g., Vake to airport area |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | 3.06 GEL ($1.13) | Cheaper than Europe |
Realistic monthly transport: If you walk + metro, $15–$30. If you take Bolt taxis regularly, $80–$150. Most expats fall somewhere in between.
Getting Around
The metro has 2 lines and is clean, reliable, and absurdly cheap. Buses have improved a lot — new vehicles with AC and real-time tracking via the Ttc.com.ge app. Bolt is the dominant ride-hailing app. Yandex Go also works. Regular taxis (yellow cabs at the airport) will overcharge you — always use an app.
Healthcare & Insurance
Healthcare in Tbilisi is affordable but highly variable in quality. Private clinics serving expats offer good care. Public hospitals are a different story.
💰 Typical Costs (Private)
- GP visit: 40–80 GEL ($15–30)
- Specialist visit: 60–150 GEL ($22–55)
- Dental cleaning: 80–150 GEL ($30–55)
- Blood panel: 50–120 GEL ($18–44)
- MRI scan: 300–600 GEL ($110–220)
🏥 Insurance Options
- Local (Aldagi, GPI): 100–250 GEL/month. Covers basics.
- International (SafetyWing, Cigna): $70–$200/month. Better for serious situations.
- No insurance: Many expats pay out-of-pocket — it's cheap enough.
The best private hospitals for expats are MediClub Georgia, Todua Clinic, and New Hospitals (Akhali Saavadmkofoebi). Most doctors at these facilities speak English.
Lifestyle, Gym & Entertainment
| Activity | Cost (GEL) | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | 95–350 GEL | $35–$130 |
| Cinema ticket | 15–20 GEL | $5.50–$7.40 |
| Coworking space | 250–500 GEL | $90–$185 |
| Cocktail at a bar | 15–25 GEL | $5.50–$9.25 |
| Yoga/pilates class | 25–40 GEL | $9–$15 |
| Sulfur bath (Abanotubani) | 50–150 GEL | $18–$55 |
Tbilisi has a surprising depth of entertainment options. The nightlife scene (centered around clubs like Bassiani and Khidi) is world-famous in the electronic music community. There are film festivals, art exhibitions, wine bars, and a growing foodie scene. You won't get bored.
Childcare & Schools
If you're moving with a family, education is probably your biggest variable cost.
| Type | Period | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Private kindergarten | Monthly | $185–$460 |
| International primary school | Annual | $2,200–$20,000 |
| QSI / British International School | Annual | $10,000–$20,000 |
| Local Georgian school | Annual | Free (public) |
The range is enormous. A local kindergarten might charge 500 GEL/month. An international school like QSI Tbilisi runs $15,000+/year. Most expat families with younger children find good-quality private kindergartens in the $300–$500/month range.
Sample Monthly Budgets
Here are three realistic budgets based on actual expat spending patterns in Tbilisi:
🎒 Solo Digital Nomad — Budget
💼 Single Professional — Comfortable
👫 Couple — Good Quality of Life
Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
Every "cost of living" guide gives you the basics. Here's what catches people off guard:
🧾 Import Markups
International brands are expensive. A bottle of imported olive oil, good parmesan, or specialty items from Goodwill can cost as much as in Western Europe. Clothing (Zara, H&M) is also not cheap — Nike shoes run 320 GEL ($118).
🔧 Apartment Repairs
Georgian apartments — especially Soviet-era ones — break down. Plumbing leaks, heating issues, electrical quirks. Some landlords handle it; many don't. Budget a small emergency fund.
✈️ Exit Flights
Tbilisi isn't a flight hub. Budget airlines are limited. Flying to Western Europe typically costs $150–$400 round-trip. Flights home for holidays add up fast.
🎉 The Social Tax
Tbilisi has an active social scene — dinners, wine nights, weekend trips. If you're social (and you should be — it's one of the best parts), expect to spend more on dining and entertainment than you budgeted.
📦 International Transfers
Getting money into Georgia isn't always free. Wise (TransferWise) is the standard — fees are reasonable but add up. Local banks may charge for incoming wires. Factor in 1–2% transfer costs.
How Tbilisi Compares
Context matters. Here's how a comfortable single-person monthly budget in Tbilisi stacks up against other popular expat destinations:
| City | Monthly Budget (Single) | vs. Tbilisi |
|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇪 Tbilisi | $1,400–$1,800 | — |
| 🇹🇭 Bangkok | $1,200–$1,800 | Similar |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico City | $1,500–$2,200 | 10–20% more |
| 🇵🇹 Lisbon | $2,200–$3,000 | 50–70% more |
| 🇩🇪 Berlin | $2,500–$3,500 | 70–100% more |
| 🇺🇸 New York | $4,000–$6,000 | 180–300% more |
Tbilisi isn't the cheapest city in the world anymore — post-2022 relocations saw to that. But for the quality of life you get (great food, beautiful city, safe streets, excellent internet, vibrant culture), it's still one of the best deals in Europe.
Money-Saving Tips
15 Ways to Spend Less in Tbilisi
- 1. Negotiate rent — especially for 6+ month leases. 10–15% off is standard.
- 2. Use SS.ge and MyHome.ge for apartments, not Airbnb.
- 3. Shop at Dezerter Bazaar for produce, cheese, and spices — 30–50% cheaper than supermarkets.
- 4. Get a Metromoney card — 1 GEL per ride, free transfers for 90 minutes.
- 5. Cook Georgian food at home — the ingredients are cheap and recipes are simple.
- 6. Drink Georgian wine — a great bottle is 15–25 GEL. Imported wine costs 3x more.
- 7. Use Bolt over Yandex — usually cheaper, always use the app (never hail a cab).
- 8. Skip Goodwill for groceries — Carrefour and Nikora have 80% of what you need.
- 9. Get a local phone plan — Magti or Silknet. Avoid roaming on your home SIM.
- 10. Use Wise for money transfers — cheapest option for most currencies.
- 11. Join the expat Facebook groups — people constantly sell furniture, share apartment leads.
- 12. Avoid the "expat tax" — tourist-area restaurants mark up 30–50%. Walk 2 blocks and eat local.
- 13. Winter heating: close unused rooms, invest in a small space heater for your work area.
- 14. Explore outside Tbilisi — weekend trips to Kazbegi, Kakheti, or Borjomi are incredibly cheap.
- 15. Don't buy clothes in Georgia — import markups are brutal. Stock up when you travel.
Written by The Georgia Expats Team
We're a team of long-term Georgia residents who got tired of outdated, surface-level expat advice. Everything we publish is based on firsthand experience living and working in Tbilisi. Prices and details are verified and updated regularly.
Last updated: February 2026. Prices based on Numbeo data, local market research, and real expat spending. Exchange rate: 1 USD = 2.7 GEL.
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More guides coming soon. We're working on in-depth articles about setting up a business, banking, healthcare, and neighborhoods in Tbilisi.