How Much Does It Cost to Live in Georgia?

The cost of living in Georgia in 2026 runs about GEL 2,100–2,450 (~$810–$940) a month for a single person on a lean budget, and about GEL 3,730–4,140 (~$1,430–$1,590) for a comfortable single life in central Tbilisi. This guide covers the country Georgia in the Caucasus, not the U.S. state. A couple should plan on roughly GEL 4,840–5,250 (~$1,860–$2,015). These figures use the National Bank of Georgia’s official rate of GEL 2.6042 per US dollar (valid October 2, 2026). Rent is the biggest swing factor. A one-bedroom in central Tbilisi averages about GEL 1,760 (~$676), while one outside the center in Kutaisi costs well under half that. Below you’ll find city and neighborhood rents, utility tariffs, groceries, healthcare, the 1% tax regime, visa and permit rules, and sample budgets.

Quick Answer

• Single person: GEL 2,100–2,450 (~$810–$940) on a lean budget; GEL 3,730–4,140 (~$1,430–$1,590) for a comfortable one in central Tbilisi.
• Couple: GEL 4,840–5,250 (~$1,860–$2,015) a month in a central Tbilisi one-bedroom.
• Family of four: about GEL 6,820–7,910 (~$2,620–$3,040) before international school fees.
• Rent, one-bedroom: GEL 684–1,182 (~$263–$454) outside the center; GEL 922–1,761 (~$354–$676) in the center, depending on the city.
• Utilities: about GEL 190–232 (~$73–$89) a month for an 85 m² apartment; internet adds about GEL 51 (~$20) in Tbilisi.
• Transit: GEL 1 for 90 minutes of unlimited rides in Tbilisi, or GEL 40 (~$15) for a monthly pass.
• Average salary: GEL 2,389 (~$917) a month before tax in the second quarter of 2026.

Exchange Rate, Inflation, and Wages in 2026

Three numbers shape what Georgia costs you this year.

The exchange rate. The National Bank of Georgia’s official rate was GEL 2.6042 per US dollar and GEL 2.9407 per euro on October 2, 2026. The lari has been gaining ground. It averaged about GEL 2.68 per dollar in May and stood at GEL 2.6453 on July 1. If you earn in dollars, a GEL 4,000 budget cost about $1,490 in May and about $1,535 now.

Inflation. Geostat reported annual inflation of 5.6% in August 2026, up from 5.5% in July. The biggest increases came from transport (+15.2%), housing and utilities (+8.5%), restaurants and hotels (+6.8%), and food (+5.0%). Communication fell 7.5%.

Wages. Geostat put the average monthly nominal salary at GEL 2,389.3 in the second quarter of 2026, up 8% from a year earlier, according to Georgia Today. That is before the 20% income tax. Information and communication paid the most, at GEL 4,400.4. Crowd-sourced averages put take-home pay at about GEL 1,804 (~$693) in Tbilisi and about GEL 1,496 (~$574) nationally.

A foreigner earning $2,000 a month has more than twice the average Georgian gross salary. That covers a comfortable life in Tbilisi, though a Vake apartment can still take a third or more of it.

Cost of Living by City

Most newcomers choose between Tbilisi, the capital; Batumi, on the Black Sea; and Kutaisi in the west. The table uses crowd-sourced averages updated between August and October 2026, plus Tbilisi’s official transit fare. Tbilisi has more than 1,600 price reports and Batumi more than 1,100. Kutaisi has fewer than 300, so treat its figures as a rough guide.

A few patterns stand out:

• Tbilisi is the most expensive city, mainly because of rent. Everyday costs other than rent average about GEL 1,730 (~$664) a month for a single person.
• Batumi rents run about a quarter below Tbilisi. Everyday costs other than rent average about GEL 1,546 (~$594) for a single person. Many new towers are built for short-term rentals, and that market follows the tourist season.
• Kutaisi has the lowest rents of the three. A one-bedroom outside the center costs about GEL 684 (~$263), but there are fewer jobs, international schools, and English speakers.

Housing: Rent, Neighborhoods, and Property

Tbilisi Rents by Neighborhood

Where you live inside Tbilisi changes your rent more than almost anything else. Investment firm Galt & Taggart tracks asking rents per square meter. Listing ranges for typical apartments come from Georgia Today’s August 2026 district review.

Tbilisi rents are commonly listed in US dollars, so the lari’s moves matter less for rent than for your other bills. Vake, Vera, and Mtatsminda are central and popular with foreigners. Saburtalo is more residential, with metro access. Gldani and Samgori are far cheaper but farther out.

The market has been flat in 2026. In May, the average asking rent for a 50–60 m² apartment was $9.9 per m², down 0.2% from April, according to Galt & Taggart data reported by GBC. At that rate, a 55 m² one-bedroom lists for about $545 a month.

Batumi and Kutaisi

Batumi’s housing market is driven by investors and tourists. Average daily rental rates were about $35.6 in 2025 and stayed broadly flat even as purchase prices rose, according to a Galt & Taggart review published by Investor.ge. Daily rents then fell 7.3% in the first quarter of 2026. Softer short-term demand gives long-term tenants more room to negotiate, especially outside the summer season.

In Kutaisi, a three-bedroom outside the center averages about GEL 876 (~$336), less than a one-bedroom in central Tbilisi.

Buying Property

Foreigners can buy apartments in Georgia. In May 2026, Tbilisi apartments sold for about $1,412 per m² new and $1,366 per m² on the secondary market. In Batumi, new apartments averaged $1,893 per m² in March 2026 and secondary ones $1,479, per GBC. Premium Old Batumi units exceed $3,000 per m².

Buying property can also lead to a short-term residence permit. From March 1, 2026, the minimum property value for this route rose to $150,000 from $100,000, according to investment-migration publication IMI Daily.

Utilities, Internet, and Phone

Basic utilities (electricity, heating, water, and garbage) for an 85 m² apartment average about GEL 232 (~$89) a month in Tbilisi. Reported bills range from about GEL 145 to GEL 350. Many Tbilisi apartments heat with gas, so expect bills near the top of that range from December through February, and lower ones in spring and fall.

Electricity got more expensive in 2026. On April 1, household tariffs rose by 5 tetri per kWh across all consumption tiers. The regulator GNERC published these rates, as reported by Georgian Public Broadcaster (VAT included):

One lari equals 100 tetri. At these rates, a small apartment using 150 kWh a month pays about GEL 30–36 (~$12–$14) for power. Using 250 kWh comes to about GEL 56–60 (~$22–$23). Heating and hot water usually make up the bigger share of a winter bill.

Other monthly connections in Tbilisi:

• Home internet (60+ Mbps): about GEL 51 (~$20); about GEL 41 in Batumi and GEL 39 in Kutaisi.
• Mobile plan with 10 GB+ of data: about GEL 34 (~$13) in Tbilisi and GEL 25 in Batumi.
• Building fees: some newer buildings charge a monthly fee for maintenance or security. Confirm which utilities and fees are paid separately before you sign.

Food: Groceries and Dining Out

A single person who cooks most meals can expect to spend about GEL 600–700 (~$230–$270) a month on groceries in Tbilisi. A couple should plan on about GEL 1,200. Local produce, bread, cheese, and wine are cheap. Imported brands, coffee, and beef cost about what they do in Europe, or more.

Average crowd-sourced prices in Tbilisi (October 2026):

Batumi groceries cost slightly less, with beef at about GEL 11.66 per pound and mid-range wine at about GEL 15. Open-air markets such as Tbilisi’s Dezertirebi bazaar keep the bill down.

Eating out is good value, especially Georgian food. Common Tbilisi prices:

• Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: about GEL 30 (~$11.50)
• Three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant: about GEL 100 (~$38)
• Fast-food combo meal: about GEL 25 (~$9.60)
• Cappuccino: about GEL 9.15 (~$3.50)
• Domestic draft beer (pint): about GEL 7 (~$2.70)

Restaurant and hotel prices rose 6.8% over the year to August 2026, faster than overall inflation. A cheap meal out every weekday costs about GEL 660 (~$253) a month.

Transportation and Getting Around

Tbilisi has a two-line metro and a large bus network, and one fare system covers both. These are the fares listed on the Tbilisi Transport Company fares page and the Tbilisi Airport bus guide, unchanged since the 2022 fare reform:

The Metromoney travel card costs GEL 2. Cash and mobile-app payments don’t get the 90-minute transfer window. In Batumi, crowd-sourced data puts a single bus ride at about GEL 0.70 and a monthly pass at about GEL 30.

Other transport costs:

• Taxis: about GEL 3 to start plus about GEL 3.22 per mile in Tbilisi. Ride-hailing apps are widely used.
• Gasoline: crowd-sourced data shows about GEL 3.71 per liter on average. Premium fuel at the big chains hit GEL 3.82–3.99 in April 2026, according to Georgia Today. Transport was the fastest-rising price category in 2026, up 15.2% year on year in August.
• Cars: a new Toyota Corolla costs about GEL 57,000 (~$21,900). Traffic in central Tbilisi is heavy and parking is tight, so many newcomers skip owning one.

Healthcare and Insurance Costs

Georgia’s state Universal Healthcare Programme is built for Georgian citizens. In January 2026 the Health Ministry confirmed that citizens who use it keep their benefits, as reported by Georgian Public Broadcaster. Most foreigners, including those on visa-free stays and temporary residence permits, should plan to pay privately. If you hold a permanent residence permit, ask the Ministry of Health which state programs you qualify for.

Mandatory insurance for visitors. Since January 1, 2026, foreigners entering Georgia must hold health and accident insurance with at least GEL 30,000 (~$11,520) of coverage for their whole stay. Border police check it on entry. The rule applies whether or not you need a visa, and each family member needs their own policy, children included.

What coverage costs:

• Local visitor policies: Georgian insurers and banks sell plans built to meet the rule. Credo Bank, for example, lists a visitor policy at GEL 180 (~$69) for three months or GEL 300 (~$115) for six months, with up to GEL 30,000 of cover. That works out to about GEL 50 (~$19) a month.
• Fuller private plans: basic visitor policies cap many services, so self-employed residents often compare local and international plans for outpatient care, dental, and medicines.

Health prices rose 5.2% over the year to August 2026, so check what your plan covers before you need it.

Schools and Childcare

School choice drives family budgets.

• International primary school in Tbilisi: about GEL 27,820 (~$10,680) a year per child on average. Reported fees range from about GEL 15,000 to more than GEL 73,000 (~$5,760–$28,110).
• Private preschool or kindergarten: about GEL 963 (~$370) a month, full day, in Tbilisi and about GEL 769 in Batumi.
• Public schools: classes are taught in Georgian.

For a family with two children in an average international school, tuition alone adds about GEL 4,640 (~$1,780) a month.

Taxes: The 1% Regime, Income Tax, and VAT

Georgia’s taxes are simple and low. Key rules from PwC’s Georgia tax summary (last reviewed September 2026):

• Income tax: a flat 20% on employment and most other income. Resident individuals are exempt from tax on income that does not have a Georgian source.
• Tax residency: you become a resident if you are in Georgia for 183 days or more in any continuous 12-month period ending in the tax year, per PwC.
• Small Business Status (the 1% regime): individual entrepreneurs pay 1% on turnover up to GEL 500,000 (~$192,000) a year. Turnover above that is taxed at 3%. Many professional services are excluded, including legal, audit, notarial, medical, and architecture work. Since 2026 the status takes effect the day you apply, and monthly returns are required even when you earn nothing.
• Micro Business Status: 0% on turnover up to GEL 30,000 (~$11,520) a year for individuals with no employees.
• VAT: the standard rate is 18% and is included in shelf prices, per PwC. Businesses must register once taxable turnover passes GEL 100,000 in 12 months.
• Pension contributions: employees pay 2% and employers add 2%. Self-employed people pay 4%.
• Property tax: applies to individuals only when annual family income exceeds GEL 40,000.

Your home country may still tax you; US citizens, for example, file US returns wherever they live. Talk to a Georgian accountant before you register.

Visas, Residence, and Work Permits

Citizens of a long list of countries can enter and stay in Georgia for up to one year without a visa. The list includes the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, the UAE, and most EU countries, according to the official Kutaisi Airport passport control guide. The mandatory GEL 30,000 insurance rule applies to every entry.

Working in Georgia changed in 2026. From March 1, 2026, foreigners who work in Georgia, including the self-employed and remote workers, need a labor activity permit, according to Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Self-employed foreigners already active had until May 1, 2026. Holders of permanent or investment residence permits are exempt. The State Employment Support Agency charges GEL 200 for a 30-day decision or GEL 400 for 10 working days.

Residence permits are issued by the Public Service Development Agency. Its official fee list depends on how fast you need a decision:

Work and IT permits now tie into the labor permit process, so confirm current requirements before you apply.

One-Time Setup Costs

Budget for these before your first month:

• Health insurance: about GEL 180–300 (~$69–$115) for a three- to six-month visitor policy.
• Residence permit: GEL 300–600 for most types, or GEL 500–1,000 for an IT permit.
• Labor activity permit: GEL 200–400 if you plan to work.
• Rental deposit: ask how much is required upfront and whether it is refundable. Get the terms in writing.
• Travel card: GEL 2 for a Metromoney card in Tbilisi.

Sample Monthly Budgets

These budgets combine the averages above. The lean single budget assumes an apartment outside the center in Batumi or Tbilisi. The other columns assume Tbilisi. Health coverage uses the cost of a basic visitor policy.

Kutaisi on a budget: a single person renting outside the center in Kutaisi can get by on roughly GEL 1,770 (~$680). That assumes GEL 684 rent, GEL 201 utilities, GEL 62 for internet and mobile, GEL 550 for groceries, GEL 200 for eating out, a GEL 20 transit pass, and GEL 50 for insurance.

Families: the family column includes one child in private preschool. International school for two children adds about GEL 4,640 (~$1,780) a month, for a total of roughly GEL 11,460–12,550 (~$4,400–$4,820).

Winter: if your apartment heats with gas, use the top of the reported GEL 145–350 utilities range for December to February.

Money-Saving Tips

• Look beyond Vake and Vera. Saburtalo and Didi Dighomi offer modern buildings for less, and Saburtalo has a metro line.
• Sign a long lease in the off-season. Softer short-term demand outside summer gives you room to negotiate, especially in Batumi.
• Buy an annual transit pass. At GEL 250 a year, unlimited Tbilisi rides cost about GEL 21 a month.
• Eat Georgian and shop at bazaars. Khachapuri, khinkali, local wine, and market produce cost far less than imports.
• Watch the exchange rate. Rent is often quoted in dollars but most other costs are in lari. A stronger lari raises your dollar cost for food, utilities, and transport.

How Georgia Compares With Nearby Countries

Tbilisi sits in the middle of the region on price. The table uses crowd-sourced averages from late September and early October 2026, converted to dollars by the data provider.

Yerevan now costs more than Tbilisi for rent, while Baku is cheaper on most lines but pays lower average salaries. For the details, see our guides to the cost of living in Armenia and the cost of living in Azerbaijan. If you’re weighing a bigger economy across the Black Sea, compare the cost of living in Turkey, and for another former Soviet republic, read our Ukraine cost of living guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do you need to live in Georgia per month?

A single person needs about GEL 2,100–2,450 (~$810–$940) a month for a simple life in Batumi or outer Tbilisi, and about GEL 3,730–4,140 (~$1,430–$1,590) for a comfortable one in central Tbilisi. A couple should budget about GEL 4,840–5,250 (~$1,860–$2,015).

Is $1,000 a month enough to live in Georgia?

Yes, for a lean lifestyle. At GEL 2.60 per dollar, $1,000 is about GEL 2,600. That covers a one-bedroom outside the center in Tbilisi or Batumi, utilities, groceries, transit, and basic insurance. It is tight for a central Tbilisi apartment in Vake or Vera, and easy in Kutaisi.

How much is rent in Tbilisi in 2026?

A one-bedroom averages about GEL 1,761 (~$676) in the center and GEL 1,182 (~$454) outside it, based on crowd-sourced data. Asking rents average about $10 per square meter citywide, rising to $14.2 in Vake. Listings in Vake, Vera, and Mtatsminda typically start around $650–$700 a month.

What is the 1% tax in Georgia?

It is the Small Business Status for individual entrepreneurs. Qualifying businesses pay 1% on turnover up to GEL 500,000 a year and 3% above that. Many professional services, such as legal, audit, and medical work, are excluded, and monthly returns are required.

How long can foreigners stay in Georgia without a visa?

Citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, the UAE, most EU countries, and many others can stay up to one year without a visa. Since January 1, 2026, all foreign visitors also need health and accident insurance with at least GEL 30,000 of coverage. Working in Georgia requires a labor activity permit from March 2026.

Is Batumi cheaper than Tbilisi?

Yes, slightly. A one-bedroom in central Batumi averages about GEL 1,282 (~$492), against GEL 1,761 (~$676) in central Tbilisi. Day-to-day costs are about 10% lower too. Short-term rental demand peaks in summer, so look for a long lease in the off-season.

Conclusion

Georgia remains affordable by US and Western European standards, especially for remote workers and retirees with outside income. A single person can live comfortably in central Tbilisi for about $1,430–$1,590 a month, or for closer to $800–$950 in Batumi, outer Tbilisi, or Kutaisi. The 2026 changes matter, though. The lari is stronger, inflation is above 5%, electricity costs more, and foreigners now need mandatory insurance and, if they work, a labor permit. Choose your city and district first, since rent drives most of the difference, and budget extra for winter heating.

Sources

• National Bank of Georgia – official exchange rates (October 2, 2026)
• GBC – lari exchange rate, April–June 2026
• Geostat – Inflation Rate in Georgia, August 2026
• Georgia Today – Geostat average salary, Q2 2026
• Georgia Today – Tbilisi rents by district, August 2026
• GBC – Tbilisi real estate market, May 2026
• GBC – Batumi real estate market, Q1 2026
• Investor.ge – Batumi residential real estate snapshot, 2026
• Georgian Public Broadcaster – GNERC electricity tariffs from April 1, 2026
• Tbilisi Transport Company – fares
• Tbilisi International Airport – bus 337 fares and travel passes
• Georgia Today – fuel prices, April 2026
• Georgian Public Broadcaster – Health Ministry on the Universal Healthcare Programme, January 2026
• Georgia Today – mandatory visitor insurance, September 2026
• PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries – Georgia, taxes on personal income
• PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries – Georgia, residence
• PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries – Georgia, other taxes
• Kutaisi International Airport – passport control and visa-free stays
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia – changes to labor migration law
• Frontnews – work permit rules and fees, March 2026
• Public Service Development Agency – residence permit fees
• Crowd-sourced cost-of-living averages for Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Georgia, Yerevan, Baku, and Istanbul (updated August–October 2026)
• Credo Bank – visitor insurance product terms (2026); IMI Daily – Georgia property residence threshold (February 2026); Andersen Georgia – Small Business Status rules; Expat Hub Georgia – 2026 special tax regime updates