One of the most common questions from South Asian families considering MBBS in Georgia is: "How much does it cost to live in Tbilisi each month?" The honest answer is that Tbilisi is one of the most affordable capital cities in Europe for international students — significantly cheaper than Warsaw, Prague, or Budapest.
This guide gives you realistic, up-to-date figures relevant to Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi students living in Tbilisi in 2026.
Monthly Living Cost Summary
| Expense | Budget (Shared) | Mid-Range | Comfortable (Private) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $80–$120 | $150–$200 | $250–$400 |
| Food (cooking at home) | $100–$150 | $150–$200 | $200–$300 |
| Eating out | Minimal | $30–$60 | $80–$150 |
| Transport (metro + bus) | $15–$25 | $20–$35 | $30–$50 |
| Internet + Mobile | $15–$25 | $15–$25 | $25–$35 |
| Personal + Misc | $40–$70 | $60–$110 | $100–$200 |
| Total/month (USD) | $250–$390 | $425–$630 | $685–$1,135 |
Most South Asian MBBS students in Tbilisi (Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi) spend $300–$450/month on living expenses.
Accommodation — Your Biggest Expense
Shared Apartment (Most Common — $80–$150/person/month)
3–4 students sharing a 2–3 bedroom flat. This is the most economical option. Shared flats near popular student areas (Isani, Samgori, Didi Dighomi) can cost as little as $80–$100/person/month. Closer to city center: $120–$150/person.
University Hostel ($100–$180/person/month)
Some Georgian universities offer on-campus or nearby hostels including utilities — convenient but limited privacy, typically 2–4 per room.
Private Apartment ($200–$400/month)
Solo studio/one-bedroom. More privacy but significantly higher cost. Senior students who work part-time often choose this from Year 3.
Food Options in Tbilisi — Halal, Indian, and Vegetarian
- Halal meat: Available at dedicated halal butchers and major supermarkets (Carrefour stocks halal chicken). Pakistani grocery stores in Marjanishvili and Isani stock spices, lentils, and South Asian staples.
- Halal restaurants: Several Pakistani, Turkish, and Arab restaurants in central Tbilisi. Meals range from $3.60–$7.30 — very affordable for Pakistani and Bangladeshi students.
- Indian food: Tbilisi has multiple Indian restaurants serving dal, curry, biryani, and paneer dishes. South Indian options are growing. Several Asian supermarkets stock basmati rice, Indian spices (turmeric, cumin, coriander), and lentils — making home cooking easy and affordable.
- Vegetarian options: Good news for Indian students — Georgia has a strong vegetarian tradition. Khachapuri (cheese bread), lobiani (bean bread), pkhali (vegetable dishes), and mchadi are naturally vegetarian and widely available. Indian vegetarians can eat well in Tbilisi without much difficulty.
- Cooking at home: Most students cook — monthly food cost $100–$180/month for all nationalities. Rice, lentils, vegetables, eggs, and bread are very affordable at Georgian markets.
- Georgian food: Khachapuri, khinkali, lobiani — $2–$5/meal. Muslim students should note that khinkali (dumplings) typically contain pork unless ordered as mushroom or potato variant. Always check ingredients.
Transport — Very Affordable
- Metro and bus: Flat fare of 1 GEL (~$0.37) per journey.
- Monthly all-ride pass: ~30 GEL ($11)/month.
- Bolt/taxi: $1.50–$3.00 for most city journeys.
- Most students spend $15–$30/month on transport.
Internet and Mobile
- Home WiFi: 50–100 Mbps fiber: $9–$15/month.
- Mobile data: $3.60–$7.30/month for 20–50 GB.
Can Students Work to Reduce Costs? (All Nationalities)
Yes — Georgia's D5 student visa legally allows full-time work for all nationalities including Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi students. There are no restrictions on work hours under Georgian law for D5 holders. Students commonly work in restaurants, delivery apps (Wolt, Glovo), retail, or freelancing, earning $150–$400/month. This makes Georgia one of the most financially self-sustainable MBBS destinations for South Asian students globally.
Kutaisi vs Tbilisi — Is Kutaisi Cheaper?
Yes — approximately 30–40% cheaper. Kutaisi accommodation: $60–$100/person/month. Total monthly: $200–$320 vs Tbilisi's $300–$450. Combined with KIU's lower $2,000/year tuition, Kutaisi is the most financially efficient Georgian study destination. Indian students considering KIU should note that Tbilisi has more Indian-friendly food options, but Kutaisi is growing rapidly and is very affordable.
Realistic Annual Budget (Tbilisi, Alte/SEU — Any South Asian Student)
| Cost Item | Annual (USD) |
|---|---|
| Tuition (Alte/SEU) | $2,750 |
| Accommodation ($150/month) | $1,800 |
| Food ($180/month) | $2,160 |
| Transport ($25/month) | $300 |
| Internet + Mobile | $240 |
| Personal + Misc | $600 |
| Insurance + TRC | $600 |
| Total Annual Estimate | ~$8,450 |
This budget applies equally to Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi students — Tbilisi's cost structure is nationality-neutral. Indian students may spend slightly more on vegetarian-specific or Indian-brand grocery items, but overall costs are comparable.
Titans Abroad tip: Plan your first-year budget carefully — Year 1 has the highest one-time costs (registration, TRC, airport pickup, initial setup). From Year 2 onward, costs stabilize significantly. Contact us for a free, detailed year-by-year budget breakdown specific to your chosen university and nationality.