Are you thinking of moving to Georgia soon? An expatriation project always has its share of preparations, particularly when it comes to budgeting. In this guide, Foyer Global Health tells you all you need to know about the cost of living in Georgia. Housing prices, shopping budgets, transport fares, medical care costs… we take a look at every aspect of the cost of living in Georgia!
Average cost of living in Georgia 2024 at a glance
On average, the cost of living in Georgia for one person, including rent, is €900. The biggest item of expenditure is food, followed by rent and leisure (restaurants, going out, etc.).
| Services | Prices |
|---|---|
| Average monthly salary | €670 |
| Price of renting a flat in the city centre | Between €300 and €900 |
| Price of buying a flat in the city centre | Around €1,400/m2 |
| Petrol (1L) | €1 |
| Monthly mobile package (calls and 10GB+ of data) | €10 |
| Taxi per km | €0.67 |
| Meal for two in a mid-range restaurant | €30 on average |
Currency and exchange rates in Georgia
The official currency in Georgia is the lari, abbreviated ‘GEL’ and symbolised ‘₾’. Each lari is divided into 100 tetri. In Georgia, you will find banknotes worth 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 GEL, as well as coins worth 1 and 2 GEL, and 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 tetri.
Currently, 1 GEL = EUR 0.34 (index as of 11 October 2024).
Accommodation prices in Georgia
Here’s how much you can expect to pay for accommodation in Georgia:
For rent:
- One-bedroom flat in the city centre: around GEL 1,600 (EUR 535)
- One-bedroom flat outside the city centre: approximately GEL 1,100 (EUR 370)
- Three-bedroom flat in the city centre: approximately GEL 2,800 (EUR 930)
- Three-bedroom flat outside the city centre: approximately GEL 1,800 (EUR 600)
When buying real estate in Georgia:
- The price per m2 in the city centre is generally between GEL 2,000 and GEL 7,000 (EUR 670 and EUR 2,350).
- Outside the city centre, expect to pay between GEL 1,300 and GEL 3,600 (EUR 435 and EUR 1,200) on average.
Cost of accommodation in Tbilisi
For accommodation in Tbilisi city centre, expect to pay an average monthly rent of GEL 2,000 to 3,600 (EUR 670 to 1,200), depending on the size of the flat. If you want to become a homeowner, the average price per m2 in the capital is GEL 5,500 (EUR 1,850) in the city centre, and GEL 2,800 (EUR 940) outside.
Monthly energy costs in Georgia
In Georgia, as elsewhere, the housing budget also includes monthly utilities (electricity, heating, air conditioning, etc.). For an 85 m2 flat, these costs average GEL 200 (EUR 70) per month.
- A kWh of electricity costs 0.169 GEL (0.0057 EUR)
- A kWh of gas costs 0.054 GEL (0.018 EUR)
Food budget in Georgia
Among 18 countries in Western Asia, Numbeo ranks Georgia as the 11th country with the lowest shopping budget. So, although food expenditure is considered to be the second largest item in the cost of living in Georgia, the price of groceries remains in the region’s lower average. Here is a table showing the prices (in euros) of certain foods:
| Food item | Average price in Georgia |
| Bread (500 g) | €0.60 |
| Dozen eggs | €2.30 |
| Chicken fillets (1 kg) | €6 |
| Red meat (1 kg) | €9 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | €1.60 |
| Onions (1 kg) | €0.70 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | €0.60 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | €1.50 |
| Apples(1 kg) | €1.30 |
| Milk (1 L) | €1.78 |
| Water (1,5 L) | €0.60 |
| Local beer ( 500 ml) | €1.45 |
| Imported beer (330 ml) | €2.10 |
Cost of transport in Georgia
If you’re planning to live in Georgia, the question of mobility arises, especially for families. The country is served by the national railway company ‘Sakartvelos Rkinigza’, and train journeys start at an average of GEL 27 (EUR 9). Intercity buses also connect the cities, with an average fare of GEL 30 (EUR 10) per journey.
Getting around Tbilisi
Tbilisi has a comprehensive public transport network, including two metro lines with 23 stations, buses, minibuses and taxis. A trip costs 1 GEL (EUR 0.34) and allows you to use the bus, minibus and metro for 90 minutes. Taxis start at between GEL 2 and GEL 5 (EUR 70 and EUR 1.70), with an average cost of GEL 2 (EUR 70) per kilometre.
You can also opt for a transport card giving access to all means of transport in Tbilisi, with the following price scale:
- GEL 3 (EUR 1) / day
- GEL 20 (EUR 6.70) / week
- GEL 40 (EUR 13.40) / month
- 100 GEL (EUR 33.50) / three months
- 150 GEL (50 EUR) / six months
- 250 GEL (84 EUR) / year
Healthcare prices in Georgia
| Medical services | Average price in Georgia |
|---|---|
| Consultation with a general practitioner | 50 GEL (17 EUR) |
| Consultation with a specialist | up to 130 GEL (44 EUR) on average |
| Consultation with a psychiatrist | from 300 to 1,000 GEL (100 to 335 EUR) |
| Oncology treatment | 1,000 to 5,000 GEL (335 to 1,700 EUR) |
| Chemotherapy session | 50 to 100 GEL (17 to 34 EUR) |
Although the healthcare system in Georgia is constantly improving thanks to reforms, it does have certain limitations. To benefit from secure care and reliable cover, whether for one person or the whole family, we recommend taking out private international health insurance, specially adapted for expatriates.
Cost of education in Georgia
Between the ages of 2 and 6, children in Georgia can be enrolled in a private kindergarten for around GEL 600 (EUR 200) a month. Thereafter, a private international school costs around GEL 11,400 (EUR 3,800) a year.
Parents can, for example, choose the American Academy in Tbilisi. For the 2024-2025 school year, the fees are:
- GEL 16,500 (EUR 5,500) for 4th grade
- GEL 28,000 (EUR 9,300) for higher grades
Telecommunication services in Georgia
Here are two examples of monthly telecommunication services in Georgia:
- Telephone package (calls and 10GB+ of data) between GEL 14 and 40 (EUR 5 and 13).
- Internet subscription (60 Mbps or more with unlimited data) between GEL 35 and 70 (EUR 11.50 and 24).
Leisure and activities in Georgia
You will not get bored in Georgia. Here are the prices of some must-do activities:
- Take a walk in Mtatsminda Park: entry is free, but the funicular railway costs GEL 8 (EUR 2.70).
- Visit the Museum of Cultural History – Palace of Arts: 0.5 GEL (20 cents) for children, 1 GEL (34 cents) for students, and 2 GEL (70 cents) for adults.
- Go to the Tbilisi Botanical Garden: 4 GEL (EUR 1.35) per person.
- Spend a day at the Six Flags Over Georgia theme park: from 160 GEL (54 EUR) per person for a one-day ticket.
- Go to the cinema: 17 GEL (6 EUR) per ticket.
- Take out a gym membership: GEL 130 (EUR 44) per month.
Cost of living in Georgia compared with neighbouring countries
Compared with Armenia
The cost of living in Georgia is 35% lower than in Armenia, mainly due to the higher rents in Armenia. For example, a one-bedroom flat in the city centre costs around €535 in Georgia, compared with €800 in Armenia.
Compared with Turkey
Living in Georgia is 5.5% cheaper than in Turkey. Nevertheless, Georgians have 25% less purchasing power than Turks, despite a higher average salary (€670 in Georgia compared with €550 in Turkey).
Compared with Azerbaijan
A family of four in Georgia needs a monthly budget of €2,500. In comparison, the cost of living in Azerbaijan is around 14% lower, with an estimated budget of €2,100 per month, according to Numbeo data.
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