Living in Tbilisi on your own, including renting an apartment, costs roughly $1,100–1,500 a month. In Batumi, budget around $900–1,300; in Kutaisi, around $750–1,100. Housing accounts for much of the difference. Here is a breakdown of rent, groceries and everyday expenses, along with a guide to how much you will need for your first few months after moving.
Prices are based on information available in September 2026. We use an illustrative exchange rate of GEL 2.65 to the US dollar. Rent is quoted in dollars and other expenses in Georgian lari (GEL).
How much to budget per month
These estimates are for one person or a couple renting a one-bedroom apartment on a long-term lease, cooking at home most days and occasionally eating out. They also include utilities, phone and internet bills, transport and household essentials.
| City | One person per month | Couple per month |
|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi | GEL 2,800–4,000 ≈ $1,060–1,510 | GEL 4,000–5,500 ≈ $1,510–2,080 |
| Batumi | GEL 2,400–3,500 ≈ $910–1,320 | GEL 3,500–4,800 ≈ $1,320–1,810 |
| Kutaisi | GEL 2,000–2,900 ≈ $750–1,090 | GEL 2,900–4,100 ≈ $1,090–1,550 |
Allow separately for insurance, medical care, expenses for children and taxes. A couple shares an apartment and a home internet connection, so living costs do not simply double. These figures exclude owning a car and major purchases.
If you want a central apartment and plan to eat out regularly, expect to spend towards the top of these ranges or more.
Rent and utilities
For an apartment with a separate bedroom and living room, a reasonable search range is $450–750 a month in Tbilisi, $350–550 in Batumi and $270–420 in Kutaisi. These are long-term rental prices. What you find will depend on the neighbourhood, building and furnishings. Your options at these prices will be more limited in a new development or the city centre. Listings often quote rent in dollars, but check the payment currency and arrangements with the landlord.
In Batumi, an attractive advertised rate may apply only until May or June. The owner may then switch to holiday lets or charge more over the summer. If you plan to stay, agree on the rent for the full year and have it written into the lease.
An apartment advertised at $600 a month may require $1,200 when you move in if the landlord asks for the first and last months' rent upfront. Before arranging a viewing, ask for the total amount due. There may also be a security deposit. Check when it will be returned, what the landlord can deduct and whether it can be used towards rent.
For a small apartment, allow around GEL 100–180 a month for utilities when the heating is off and GEL 180–300 in winter. Home internet is extra. Air conditioning will add to your electricity bill in summer, while a poorly insulated apartment can cost more to heat than these estimates suggest.
The property's January and February bills are a useful guide. Ask the owner to show them to you, especially if you are viewing in autumn before the heating comes on. In Batumi, check for damp as well. You may need a dehumidifier, which means both buying the appliance and paying for the electricity to run it.
Everyday expenses
If you cook at home, allow around GEL 650–900 a month for groceries for one person, or GEL 1,100–1,500 for two. That should cover a basket of meat or poultry, dairy products, grains, vegetables and fruit. Imported cheese, fish and prepared meals will push the bill higher.
| Item or service | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Milk, 1 litre | GEL 4–7 |
| Eggs, 10 | GEL 5–7 |
| Chicken breast, 1 kg | GEL 15–23 |
| Apples, 1 kg | GEL 2–5 |
| Potatoes, 1 kg | GEL 1.50–3 |
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | GEL 25–40 per person |
| Cappuccino | GEL 7–10 |
| Mobile plan with data | GEL 20–45 for 30 days |
| Home internet | Around GEL 35–50 a month |
| Tbilisi public transport pass | GEL 40 a month |
The food and restaurant prices mainly reflect Tbilisi and Batumi and vary by shop, brand and season. Check what is included in a mobile package before signing up.
Set aside a separate amount for eating out and food delivery. Ten lunches at GEL 30 each add GEL 300 to your monthly spending. A GEL 8 coffee every working day adds roughly another GEL 175. You may spend more on meals out during your first few weeks, when you have less time to cook.
In Tbilisi, the standard GEL 1 fare covers travel with transfers for 90 minutes. A monthly pass costs GEL 40. You do not need a Georgian bank card: you can buy a transport card instead. Allow another GEL 60–120 a month for occasional taxi rides.
A standard gym membership often costs around GEL 100–200 a month. Add gym fees and any coworking membership to your basic budget separately.
Get an insurance quote before you travel. The price depends on your age, the length of cover and what the policy includes. Check whether it pays only for emergencies or also covers routine appointments, tests and medication. Keep some money aside for care you will have to pay for yourself.
If you are moving with children, contact suitable nurseries and schools for their fees in advance. A private nursery in Batumi may cost GEL 500–1,000 a month. Meals, transport and extracurricular activities may be charged separately.
How much money to set aside for the move
Your first month brings costs on top of normal living expenses: temporary accommodation, upfront rental payments and things for the home. Even a furnished apartment may need bedding, kitchenware or a desk chair. Also allow for travel, luggage, insurance and any paperwork required in your circumstances.
Take Tbilisi as an example. You rent an apartment for $600 and spend another $600 on groceries, utilities and other purchases. That comes to about GEL 3,180 a month. To cover three months without any new income, you would need $3,600.
Now add the costs of getting settled. Suppose the landlord requires a refundable $600 deposit, while temporary accommodation during your search and initial household purchases come to another $400. The total rises to $4,600, or about GEL 12,200. Travel tickets, insurance and paperwork are still extra. These are illustrative figures: replace them with your actual rent and expected spending.
You may get the deposit back when you leave, but that $600 will be tied up for the duration of your tenancy. It should not count as your emergency fund. Keep another $500–700 available for unexpected costs, such as a doctor's visit or a longer search for an apartment.
If you are moving without a job, work out how much will remain after you settle in and how long it will last. If you already have a regular income, base your budget on what is left after taxes and work expenses.
Moving money to Georgia and covering your expenses
You will need money for accommodation and everyday purchases as soon as you arrive. If you have not opened a local bank account yet and hold some of your savings in crypto, you can exchange it for cash.
At GeCrypto, you can sell USDT, BTC and other supported cryptocurrencies and collect US dollars in cash at the Tbilisi office. You do not need a Georgian bank card for a cash exchange. You can then convert the dollars into lari for everyday spending. If you are heading straight to Batumi or Kutaisi, factor the office's location into your travel plans.
You can use the same service to convert payments from overseas clients if they pay you in crypto. If your income arrives in a conventional currency, you would first need to buy cryptocurrency separately. Include the purchase costs and fees when comparing ways to move your money.
Once you have opened a Georgian bank account, you can choose to receive the proceeds by bank transfer. GeCrypto can pay out in lari, dollars or euros to the client's account.
GeCrypto is registered with the National Bank of Georgia as a virtual asset service provider, or VASP. You will need to complete identity verification before exchanging funds. Ask the team in advance which documents are required for your transaction amount. Keep the receipt. If your bank later asks where the money came from, you may also need evidence of the original income, such as a contract with a client.
Confirm the exchange rate and fees before sending any crypto. Ask exactly how much you will receive in cash or in your account, and check which network to use for the transfer. Base your budget on the amount you will receive after all fees. Exchanging funds does not replace any required work authorisation or remove tax obligations.
Plan how you will access the money for your first payments. For example, a $600 apartment requiring the first and last months' rent upfront means having $1,200 available before you start paying for food and transport. You can contact GeCrypto before you arrive to agree on the exchange arrangements and schedule a visit to the office.