Wondering how far your salary goes in Tbilisi? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
What things cost
Furnished 1-bed, central (Vera/Vake)US$500-900 / mo (often quoted in USD)
Furnished 1-bed, Saburtalo / left bankUS$400-700 / mo
Dinner for two with wine (mid-range)GEL 60-120 (US$22-44)
Khinkali / khachapuri casual mealGEL 15-30 (US$5.50-11)
Metro / bus ride (90-min transfers)GEL 1 (US$0.37)
Unlimited mobile data, monthlyGEL 32-35 (US$12-13)
Est. single-person monthly (excl. rent)US$500-800
Good to know
Population
~1.2 million (Tbilisi city); ~3.7 million (Georgia)
Languages
Georgian (official, own alphabet); Russian widely understood; English among the young
Currency
Georgian Lari (GEL); approx GEL 2.70 = US$1 (2026)
Time zone
Georgia Time (GMT+4), no daylight saving
Power plug
Type C/F (European 2-pin), 220V/50Hz
Climate
Continental; hot dry summers (35°C+), cold winters near 0°C, valley smog in winter
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Tbilisi checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.