Cost of Living in Georgia (2026)
Georgia is inexpensive by European standards. In Tbilisi, a single person typically budgets around USD 900–1,200 a month with rent, a couple around USD 1,300–1,800, and a family with one child around USD 1,650–2,500. Rent is the largest expense, with central Tbilisi and the Batumi seafront the priciest; food, transport and utilities are modest.
Last reviewed: 31 August 2026 · Last checked: 12 November 2026
One of Georgia’s strongest draws is affordability: housing, food and everyday services cost far less than in Western Europe or North America. Actual spending depends heavily on the city and lifestyle, so treat the figures here as indicative planning ranges rather than fixed prices — local rents in particular move quickly. Amounts are shown in US dollars for comparison and vary with the GEL exchange rate.
Average monthly budget
The monthly budget depends on the city and lifestyle. The ranges below are indicative for Tbilisi and cover groceries, transport, utilities, mobile internet and leisure; the “with rent” figures add typical one-bedroom rent.
| Household | Without rent | With rent |
|---|---|---|
| Single person | USD 450–600 | USD 900–1,200 |
| Couple | USD 750–1,000 | USD 1,300–1,800 |
| Family with one child | — | USD 1,650–2,500 |
Central, newer housing and frequent dining out push budgets toward the top of each range. The single biggest variable is rent, followed by how often you eat out and whether you run a car.
Rent
Rent is the largest line item and varies most by location. Central Tbilisi and the Batumi seafront command the highest prices, newer buildings cost more than Soviet-era stock, and renting a room or sharing an apartment cuts costs sharply. Prices are negotiated freely between tenant and landlord — the renting a home guide explains how leases and deposits work.
Tbilisi
Approximate long-term rent for a one-bedroom apartment:
| Area | Monthly rent |
|---|---|
| Outside centre | ~USD 500 |
| City centre | ~USD 750 |
| Premium districts | ~USD 1,000 |
Districts commonly chosen by new arrivals include Vake, Saburtalo, Vera, Old Tbilisi and Didi Dighomi.
Batumi
Batumi is often slightly more affordable away from the coast:
| Area | Monthly rent |
|---|---|
| Outside centre | ~USD 400 |
| City centre | ~USD 550 |
| Seafront | ~USD 700 |
Food and groceries
Groceries from local markets and supermarkets are inexpensive, and eating out — especially at Georgian restaurants and bakeries — is very affordable. Monthly groceries average around USD 260 for one person and around USD 450 for a couple.
Typical supermarket prices:
| Product | Average price |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 L) | USD 2.40 |
| Bread | USD 1.60 |
| Eggs (12) | USD 2.60 |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | USD 5.20 |
| Rice (1 kg) | USD 2.30 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | USD 2.70 |
Transport
City transport is inexpensive. A single metro or bus trip in Tbilisi costs about USD 0.40, and a monthly transport budget is around USD 50. A typical taxi or ride-hailing trip within Tbilisi runs about USD 2.50–7. Owning a car adds fuel, insurance and parking costs.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Metro or bus trip | ~USD 0.40 |
| Monthly transport budget | ~USD 50 |
| Taxi ride (within Tbilisi) | USD 2.50–7 |
Utilities and connectivity
Apartment utilities are generally modest, though winter heating pushes bills up where it relies on electricity or gas. Home fibre internet and mobile data are inexpensive and widely available; see the mobile and internet guide.
Average monthly bills for a 50–60 m² apartment:
| Utility | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Electricity | ~USD 30 |
| Gas | ~USD 45 |
| Water | ~USD 10 |
| Home internet | ~USD 15 |
| Total | ~USD 100 |
Georgia and Europe
Georgia is markedly cheaper than most EU capitals. Estimated monthly budget for one person:
| City | Monthly budget (one person) |
|---|---|
| Tbilisi | ~USD 970 |
| Warsaw | USD 1,700+ |
| Milan | USD 1,900+ |
| Berlin | USD 2,230+ |
Money and payments
The currency is the Georgian lari (GEL). Card payments are standard in cities, ATMs are plentiful, and the banking system is modern and foreigner-friendly — opening an account is covered in the banking guide.
A note on figures
Prices, and rents especially, change with demand and season, and US-dollar figures move with the GEL exchange rate. Use these ranges to plan, then verify current costs on the ground and through up-to-date local listings before budgeting precisely.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Georgia per month?
In Tbilisi, a single person typically budgets around USD 900–1,200 a month including rent, a couple around USD 1,300–1,800, and a family with one child around USD 1,650–2,500. Without rent, a single person spends roughly USD 450–600 and a couple USD 750–1,000. Costs are highest in central Tbilisi and the Batumi seafront and lower in smaller cities. Rent and lifestyle make the biggest difference.
How much is rent in Tbilisi?
As a rough guide, a one-bedroom apartment rents for around USD 500 outside the centre, around USD 750 in the city centre, and around USD 1,000 in premium districts. Sharing or living outside the centre lowers this. Confirm current prices on the local market.
How much is rent in Batumi?
Batumi is often slightly cheaper than Tbilisi away from the coast. A one-bedroom apartment runs around USD 400 outside the centre, around USD 550 in the city centre, and around USD 700 on the seafront.
Is Georgia cheaper than Western Europe?
Generally yes. A single person's monthly budget in Tbilisi is around USD 970, compared with USD 1,700 or more in Warsaw, USD 1,900 or more in Milan and USD 2,230 or more in Berlin. Rent, food, transport and eating out are typically well below Western European levels.
What are typical utility and internet costs?
For a 50–60 m² apartment, monthly utilities average roughly USD 30 for electricity, USD 45 for gas, USD 10 for water and USD 15 for home internet — about USD 100 a month in total. Bills rise in winter where heating is electric or gas-based.
What currency is used and how do I pay?
The currency is the Georgian lari (GEL). Cards are widely accepted in cities, ATMs are plentiful, and banking is modern — see the banking guide for opening an account. Figures on this page are given in US dollars for comparison and vary with the exchange rate.