The cost of living index
Georgia’s economy is growing fast. The Asian Development Bank predicts growth of 7% in 2025 and 6% in 2026, twice the global average and four times that of the EU, and Galt & Taggart is calling for inflation of 3%, a number the National Bank of Georgia considers optimal.
With such positive development, it’s hardly a surprise to see Tbilisi regularly ranked among the world’s best, and safest, cities. And in spite of this, Georgia continues to be West Asia’s best kept secret, with an enviable overall cost of living.
For example, Georgia ranks 97th out of 143 on Numbeo.com’s ranking of most expensive countries, very close to the much larger and richer China or Brazil:
| Country | Numbeo ranking | Cost of living index (including rent) | Cost of eating out index |
| Cayman Islands | 1 | 94.3 | 96.6 |
| Switzerland | 2 | 82.3 | 100.3 |
| Singapore | 3 | 80.9 | 54.3 |
| Netherlands | 11 | 54.7 | 74.0 |
| USA | 12 | 54.6 | 65.5 |
| UAE | 20 | 48.7 | 52.7 |
| Cyprus | 30 | 42.8 | 55.6 |
| Spain | 37 | 37.7 | 48.9 |
| Poland | 58 | 32.7 | 42.2 |
| GEORGIA | 97 | 23.2 | 34.2 |
The most expensive city in Georgia is Tbilisi. Prices are bit lower in the second most populous city, Batumi, which is located on the Black Sea coast. You can read a detailed comparison of these centers in our blog.
But without further ado, the number everyone really wants to know (from LivingCost.org:
- The amount for an individual to live comfortably in Tbilisi is USD 1,030/month including rent, or USD 2,460/month for a family of four. Almost half of that is rent.
- For an individual in Batumi, the number is USD 900/month, or USD 2,030/month for a family, (including rent).
Next we turn our attention to possibly the most significant expense for anyone staying in Georgia, long or short term: rent.
The cost of housing in Georgia
An influx of migrants fleeing the consequences of the war in Ukraine in 2022-2023 shook up the real estate market in Georgia, sending the cost of apartments and rentals through the roof, though the market would eventually settle in 2024-2025. The result is good news for expats and international investors, as rental costs rise in step with inflation, and returns remain attractive and predictable for those looking to buy.
The cost of renting an apartment
According to Galt & Taggart, rent was almost USD 10 per square meter in Georgia’s major centers at the end of 2025, though prices can vary significantly in predictable ways depending on location.
A one-bedroom apartment in the center of Tbilisi, for example, will set you back about USD 700, and around USD 500 in residential areas. In Batumi, a place in the center can cost about USD 500/month, and USD 400 further out, though the season is also a factor, since Batumi is a resort town, meaning renting a place there in the summer can cost even more than in Tbilisi.
According to GlobalPropertyGuide.com:
| Type of accommodation | Rent in Tbilisi | Rent in Batumi |
| One bedroom apartment in the center | $550-800 (Saburtalo, Vake) | $500 (Old Batumi) |
| One bedroom apartment outside the center | $400-500 (Didi Digomi, Didube) | $400 (Agmashenebeli) |
| Three-bedroom apartment in the center | $1,000-1,700 (Saburtalo, Vake) | $900-1,100 (Old Batumi, Rustaveli district) |
| Three-bedroom apartment outside the center | $600-750 (Didi Digomi, Didube) | $700 and up (Agmashenebeli) |
The cost of residential real estate
If you plan to buy real estate in a new building in Tbilisi, expect to pay somewhere between USD 1,000 to 2,500 per square meter, depending on the area, or USD 1,400 to 2,900 in Batumi. Of course, everything depends on the location, and the sky is the limit.
It should be noted that residential rental yield in Georgia at the end of 2025 was 7.5-8.5% in U.S. dollars, with no restrictions on foreigners purchasing housing and no tax on the sale of real estate you have owned for at least two years.
Make the purchase with cash or cryptocurrency, and non-residents can get a 20-year mortgage from a Georgian bank at a rate of up to 15%.
The cost of utilities
According to Numbeo.com, utilities for an 85 m² apartment in Georgia – electricity, water, gas, and garbage collection – cost an average of USD 80/month, a number that goes up a bit in winter, depending on how well the building has been insulated, the type of heating (gas boiler with a water circuit or just a gas heater).
Mobile internet from the two largest carriers, Magti and SilkNet, cost less than USD 15 at the end of 2025, both provide excellent coverage across Georgia, and both are actively moving into 5G. Wired internet will cost USD 15-40, with starter plans for speeds up to 45 Mbps and premium plans for speeds up to 100 or even 150 Mbps. Learn more about local internet options here.
According to the National Statistics Service, the average salary in Georgia in 2025 was GEL 2,200 Georgian lari, or USD 800, with the best paying jobs to be found in the IT sector at around GEL 4,500 GEL or USD 1,700.
The cost of food and drink
Whether you eat in or out in Georgia, it will be affordable. According to LivingCost.org, one person can expect to spend an average of USD 300-350 per month on food, or USD 800-900 for a family of four.
As for the cost of eating out:
- A combo at McDonalds costs USD 7-8.
- Lunch at an affordable restaurant is about USD 9 per person.
- A mid-priced restaurant with three courses will be between USD 20-30 per person.
If you like cooking,you’ll find the selection and prices in supermarkets favorable. In this table, you’ll find the minimum cost of items at Nikora, CarreFour, Agrohub, and Goodwill (who all work with Wolt and Glovo if you want to call in your order):
| Product | Minimum price |
| Milk, 1 liter | $1.4 |
| Bread, 0.5 kg | $0.5 |
| White rice, 1 kg | $1.5 |
| Chicken eggs, 10 | $2 |
| Hard cheese, 100 g | $1.9 |
| Chicken fillet, 1 kg | $5.5 |
| Beef, 1 kg | $11.5 |
| Apples, 1 kg | $0.8 |
| Bananas, 1 kg | $1.4 |
| Oranges, 1 kg | $1.4 |
| Tomatoes, 1 kg | $1.9 |
| Onions, 1 kg | $0.4 |
| Lettuce, 200 g | $1.1 |
Georgia is famous for its wine, mineral water, soft drinks, and beer, which the country exports to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. Consequently, you’ll find favorable prices here too:
- Domestic beer (0.5 ml) – $1.3 to $2.6.
- Imported beer (0.33 ml) – $1.5 to $3.7.
- Georgian wine (1 liter) – $4.5 to $12.
- Mineral water (1.5 liters) – $0.4 to $0.8.
- A bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi (0.33 ml) – $0.8.
- Finally, a cup of cappuccino in a cafe – $1.9 to $5.6.
The cost of transportation and fuel
You can expect to spend next to nothing on public transportation in Georgia, with a one-way trip on the metro, bus, or municipal mini-bus (marshrutka) in Tbilisi costing only GEL 1, or about USD 0.40. And you can use your ticket to transfer for free for 90 minutes if you’ve got a Metromoney transport card or a local bank card from TBC or Bank of Georgia. Other fares include unlimited rides all day for GEL 3 (USD 1), weekly for GEL 20 (USD 7.5), and monthly for GEL 40 (USD 15).
Cab services, depending on the fare, cost USD 0.40-1.1 per kilometer. For example, a ride with Yandex, Maxim, Bolt, or Uber from Tbilisi International Airport to the city center (metro station Marjanishvili) will cost an average of GEL 30, or about USD 11, a little more than 18 km. A private taxi will cost a bit more.
If you have your own car, you can fill it up for USD 1.1-1.4 per liter (92 octane gasoline; 95 is more expensive). If you decide to buy a new car, a budget Toyota Corolla (hybrid) from an authorized car dealer will cost about USD 18,600. A used 2021 Tesla S model will cost about the same.
In general, LivingCost.org places the monthly cost of transportation for an individual in Tbilisi around USD 60, or USD 160 for a family of four. It’s considerably lower in Batumi, USD 22 and USD 63, which is a much smaller city.
The cost of clothing
Buy a major brand, visit a market, or take advantage of the country’s booming second-hand culture. As for fashion boutiques and major chains, Numbeo.com estimates:
- Basic jeans from Levi’s or a similar brand to cost USD 33-120
- A summer dress at a chain store (Zara, H&M) is USD 26-60
- Regular sneakers (like Nike) – USD 74-150
- Leather business shoes – USD 56-186
The cost of education
According to Wise, a full-month of private preschool for one child costs an average of USD 230 (USD 170-340). Elementary school for one child is about USD 4,150 (USD 1,500-15,000). It depends on the region and the school, of course.
Higher education is cheaper. A bachelor’s degree from one of Georgia’s best universities, Business and Technology University (BTU), costs USD 1,500, though foreign students have to pay more, and according to the new regulations, non-residents will not be able to study at a state university after 2026, leaving only the private universities (there are 45 in the country).
The cost of sports and entertainment
The final item on our list: recreation. If you’re interested, check out our article about iconic places in Tbilisi. According to Numbeo.com and LivingCost.org:
- A trip to a movie theater in Georgia: USD 6.70
- A one-month membership in a fitness club: USD 66
- A tennis court for one hour: USD 18
- A haircut at a barber shop: USD 10
- A session at a spa: USD 50-110
- A house call from a doctor from a private clinic: USD 85-90 (if you call 112 for an ambulance, it’s free for everyone, foreigners included)
- A month of private health insurance: USD 15
Bonus: The cost of living in Tbilisi and Batumi compared
Wondering how Tbilisi and Batumi stack up? We got it for you (minus cost of education).
The cost of living for a family of four
| Expense | Tbilisi | Batumi |
| A three-bedroom apartment in the city center, month | $1,200 | $950 |
| Utilities (gas, water, electricity) | $80 | $65 |
| Mobile and landline internet, TV | $60 | $60 |
| Private health insurance per family | $60 | $60 |
| Public transportation (or gasoline) | $160 | $65 |
| Groceries and restaurant meals | $900 | $830 |
| TOTAL MONTHLY MINIMUM | $2,460 | $2,030 |
| Extras and entertainment | $300 | $300 |
The cost of living for an individual
| Expense | Tbilisi | Batumi |
| A one-bedroom apartment in the city center, month | $550 | $500 |
| Utilities (gas, water, electricity) | $50 | $45 |
| Mobile and landline internet, TV | $15 | $15 |
| Private health insurance | $15 | $15 |
| Public transportation (or gasoline) | $60 | $25 |
| Groceries and restaurant meals | $340 | $300 |
| TOTAL MONTHLY MINIMUM | $1,030 | $900 |
| Extras and entertainment | $150 | $150 |
In conclusion
Georgia boasts one of Europe and West Asia’s lowest costs of living. According to Numbeo.com, Georgia ranked eighth most affordable in the region in 2025 and 2026, behind North Macedonia, Kosovo, Azerbaijan, and a couple others.
Affordable public transportation, cheap food (especially fruit and vegetables), and relatively low utility bills are undoubted advantages of Georgia. To this we should add developed infrastructure, a pleasant natural environment and climate, security, and general openness to foreigners. In 2022-2023, the rosy picture was dimmed by a sharp jump in the cost of real estate rentals, though the market has now returned to normal.
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