How Much Does It Cost to Live in Tbilisi?

Tbilisi is still far cheaper than any Western European capital, but the 2015-era numbers circulating online are long gone, and central expat districts have risen sharply since 2022. These are researched 2026 ranges in US dollars, for a single person on a long-term lease. Reviewed August 2026.

The short answer

A lean month in an outer district runs roughly 750 to 1,200 USD. A comfortable month in Vake or Vera, eating out several times a week, runs roughly 1,500 to 2,500 USD. A generous month with a premium apartment, restaurants, gym and regular travel runs roughly 3,000 to 5,000 USD. Couples typically land between 2,500 and 4,000 USD for a comfortable life.

• Rent, central furnished one-bed (Vake / Vera) — 700 to 1,200 USD.
• Groceries — 150 to 400 USD depending on how much is imported.
• Eating out and coffee — 80 to 400 USD.
• Transport without a car — 25 to 120 USD.
• Utilities and internet — 60 to 160 USD, with winter heating the main variable.

Rent by district

Rent dominates the budget and varies enormously by district, building age and furnishing. Long-term (6 to 12 month) furnished ranges in 2026: Vake 600 to 900 USD for a one-bed and 900 to 1,400 for a two-bed; Vera 550 to 900; Sololaki and the Old City 500 to 1,000 with tighter long-term supply; Saburtalo 400 to 600; Isani and Samgori 300 to 550; Didube and Gldani 250 to 450.

Short lets and long leases are two different markets. A serviced short-term apartment costs 20 to 40 percent more per month than a standard 6 or 12-month lease, so arriving on a short let and signing longer once you know the city is usually the cheaper path. Batumi runs roughly 15 to 20 percent below Tbilisi, with renovated studios from around 300 USD and seafront two-beds at 800 to 1,000 USD, but its short-term market spikes in summer.

Everyday prices

Rents are quoted in dollars and usually paid in lari. Typical Tbilisi prices in August 2026: an inexpensive restaurant meal around 27 GEL (about 10 USD); dinner for two, three courses, around 100 GEL (about 37 USD); a cappuccino 9 GEL; a mid-range bottle of Georgian wine 20 GEL; a metro ride 1 GEL and a monthly transport pass 40 GEL; most short Bolt rides come in under 15 GEL.

• Chicken fillets, 1 kg — about 17.50 GEL.
• Eggs, 12 — about 7.20 GEL.
• Petrol, 1 litre — about 3.50 GEL.
• Coworking — widely available in Tbilisi at moderate monthly rates.

Where costs converge with Europe

Local produce, casual dining, transport and domestic services stay dramatically cheap. Imported groceries, international schooling and premium private healthcare are where the gap narrows. Buying rather than renting: Tbilisi's average asking sale price was about 1,350 USD per square metre in March 2026, up roughly 7 percent year on year, with Mtatsminda near 2,500 and Vake near 2,175, while Samgori and Gldani sit around 1,315 to 1,380.

Sources for the figures above: Geostat's Residential Property Price Index (Q4 2025), TBC Capital's residential market watch (March 2026), Galt & Taggart (March 2026), Numbeo Tbilisi (August 2026) and local agency reporting. Prices move, so we still build a personalised budget with clients during relocation planning using current evidence rather than a blog post.

Frequently asked

What is a realistic monthly budget for one person?

About 750 to 1,200 USD lean, 1,500 to 2,500 USD comfortable in a central district, and 3,000 USD or more for a premium lifestyle. Rent is the swing factor.

Is Tbilisi cheaper than Batumi?

Batumi is generally 15 to 20 percent cheaper on rent, but its coastal market is strongly seasonal, which affects both availability and short-term price.

How often do you update these figures?

They are reviewed and dated on the page. The figures here were reviewed in August 2026 against Geostat, TBC Capital, Numbeo and local market reporting.