Georgia : Cost of Living by City
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Georgia?
Georgia is a perfect budget travel destination for tourists from all over the world.
The prices for most European residents are very low here, and you can really feel rich when you stay either for a vacation or for years.
The Georgians are very polite and hospitable people.
They cherish family, love guests, and cook the most delicious meals.
Georgia is good for walking, hiking, and exploring nature.
Fresh air, splendid mountains, and a great selection of wine make Georgia the desired place to be.
Let us check the prices in this colorful country.
Cost of Living Breakdown in Georgia
RESTAURANTS
The Georgian restaurants and cafes are for those categories of people who do not really keep to diets or just pretend to do so.
Authentic cuisine is too diverse and delicious to give it up.
What is more, the prices are as sweet and attractive as Georgian wine and people.
A three-course meal for two people in a mid-range restaurant is only $33.02.
| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $9.43 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $1.51 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.42 |
MARKETS
Both farmer markets and flea markets invite locals and guests to try the best and the freshest products that native manufacturers and producers have for sale.
To fill up your basket with some basic products like milk, cheese, meat, vegetables, fruits, a bottle of wine, and a pack of cigarettes (well, the latter is not basic), you will need around $50 in all.
| Average Market Prices | |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 Liter) | $1.77 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $0.65 |
| Eggs (12) | $2.39 |
TRANSPORTATION
In Georgia, you seem to be able to rent everything from a bike to a hot-air balloon.
Metro is available in the capital city of Tbilisi only, but the rest of the country realizes the benefits of such means of transport as taxis, minibusses (marshrutkas), buses, trains, rented cars, funiculars, and bicycles.
Prices for comfortable transportation are cheap.
| Average Transport Prices | |
|---|---|
| One Way Ticket | $0.38 |
| Monthly Pass | $15.09 |
| Gasoline | $1.40 |
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
If the Georgians had a French salary and the Georgian prices, they would feel pretty rich in their home country.
Basic utilities like electricity, water, heating, cooling, and garbage cost $70.29 per month on average.
One minute of speaking on the phone is $0.08 and the Internet connection for a month costs $18.97.
| Average Utilities Prices | |
|---|---|
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $70.29 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.08 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $18.97 |
SPORTS & LEISURE
It is highly recommended that you go to the mountains in Georgia because they have some magic in them.
Walking tours and hiking are extremely popular here.
Besides, there are wellness and fitness clubs, sports stadiums, playgrounds, cinemas, theatres, and of course, dance masterclasses.
Would you like to try them all?
| Average Leisure Prices | |
|---|---|
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $48.08 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $15.47 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $6.04 |
CLOTHING & SHOES
It really does not matter whether you are a local or a tourist looking for summer or winter clothes.
Georgia country invites you to numerous malls in the cities and small authentic shops in the suburbs to search and find your things.
The prices for business leather shoes might be the highest ($139.90).
| Average Clothing Prices | |
|---|---|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $85.49 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $47.19 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $119.69 |
RENT PER MONTH
First of all, Georgia is cheap to travel to and live in.
Although local people get low remuneration for their jobs, this affects the prices for rent.
Therefore, if you forgot your tent at home and can not just camp for free, you will need the most $1,311.04 to rent a three-bedroom apartment in the city center.
| Average Rent Prices | |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $714.89 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $514.62 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $1311.04 |
HEALTHCARE
Healthcare includes a universal public insurance program that partially covers essential services, but many treatments still require direct payment or supplemental private insurance, and public financing is relatively low compared to many European countries.
Out-of-pocket costs have historically been high, accounting for about 30 to 40 percent of total health spending, with per-person health expenditure around 275 to 300 USD annually.
Private insurance plans vary widely in cost and often range from roughly 30 to 80 USD per month for basic coverage.
With average monthly incomes near 500 to 600 USD, healthcare spending above 300 to 600 USD per year can take a significant portion of household budgets.
EDUCATION
Public primary and secondary schools are tuition-free, but families pay for uniforms, books, and supplies, often $100 to $500 per year.
Private schools charge $3,000 to $10,000 per year.
Public universities charge tuition ranging from $1,000 to $3,500 annually, while private universities cost $4,000 to $10,000 per year.
Additional costs include housing, food, transport, and textbooks.
Average monthly income is roughly $500, so education costs, especially private tuition and living expenses, are a large portion of household income.
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Georgia?
Georgia is the country where an average person spends most of their money on markets.
This is exactly what the nation is famous for – food, drinks, and hospitality.
The other item of expenditure is monthly rent.
The apartments seem to be cheap for travelers who can rent accommodation for $200 and live there happily for three months or so.
The Georgians love to meet guests and spend time outside their homes in restaurants and cafes.
That is why they are ready to give out 14.6% of their income to eating out.
Transportation is cheap, especially considering yellow mini-buses and bicycles, so you can save a good deal of money.
Sports and leisure are one step above the utilities which n their turn exceed expenses on clothing and shoes.
Average Costs Breakdown
Georgia: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
Salaries in Georgia are not so fun for some categories of jobs.
An average monthly remuneration for working hard is as much as $463.10, while a national minimum wage is fixed at the level of $6.5 per month.
Thus, the national minimum wage remains at the level of the previous age, not the year.
Nearly the same figure in percentages is needed to cover a yearly interest rate for a housing mortgage if you have any.
The country has splendid nature, and polite and hospitable people, but to live a decent life here, you will have to work really hard, or better work online for a huge company.
The highest salaries in Georgia are for employees in the financial and insurance sphere.
Also, professors, scientists, and technical workers get more.
Along with these qualified specialists, a decent wage with benefits can be witnessed in the building and IT industries.
Georgia Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Georgia Safety Review
| OVERALL RISK | LOW |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK | MEDIUM |
| PICKPOCKETS RISK | LOW |
| NATURAL DISASTERS RISK | MEDIUM |
| MUGGING RISK | LOW |
| TERRORISM RISK | MEDIUM |
| SCAMS RISK | MEDIUM |
| WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK | MEDIUM |
| TAP WATER RISK | LOW |
Cost of Living by City in Georgia
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Tbilisi |
30.22 |
It sounds nice, but I can’t help but wonder how long that budget-friendly charm really lasts. Are those low prices reflective of the overall experience, or are there hidden costs lurking around? Sometimes they say a place is cheap, but then you find out things like healthcare or transportation can bite into your savings. Plus, would the hospitality and good vibes sustain through longer stays? Just seems like there’s always another side to the story.
Can’t believe how low the prices are! It’s like stepping into a treasure chest of experiences without emptying your wallet. Who knew being a traveler could feel this luxurious?
Is it really that budget-friendly, though? I’ve heard mixed reviews about costs depending on where you go. What’s the actual breakdown on everyday expenses like food and accommodation?