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Study in Georgia: Housing & Living Costs

Georgia has a cost of living that is extremely affordable to many international students. Be they from Europe, the US, China or elsewhere, most students agree that Georgia is a great country when it comes to your pocket.

Sep 15, 2020

Georgia has a cost of living that is extremely affordable to many international students. Be they from Europe, the US, China or elsewhere, most students agree that Georgia is a great country when it comes to your pocket. That being said, healthcare can be expensive. As most international students find themselves in Tbilisi, these costs will reflect the capital. 

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The currency of Georgia is the Georgian Lari (GEL). You may not be able to exchange Lari outside of Georgia. If this is the case, take US Dollars or Euros with you and exchange those once you’ve arrived. 

Some average living costs in Tbilisi are (in Lari and USD):

  • Monthly rent (1 bedroom apartment): 1140GEL ($370)
  • Utilities (monthly average): 210GEL ($70)
  • Monthly public transport pass: 30GEL ($9.70)
  • Meal (inexpensive restaurant): 20GEL ($6.50)
  • Coffee: 5GEL ($1.60)
  • Milk (1 liter): 3.40GEL ($1.10)
  • Vegetables (1kg): 1GEL-3.50GEL ($0.30-$1.10)
  • Eggs (dozen): 4.40GEL ($1.40)
  • Water (1 liter): 1.25GEL ($0.40)*
  • Beef (1kg): 21.50GEL ($6.95)
  • Wine (bottle): 15GEL ($4.85)
  • Bread (loaf): 1GEL ($0.30)

*This reflects the cost of bottled water. You’ll need to factor this in as it’s not safe to drink the tap water in Georgia. 

The average cost of living for one person in Tbilisi is about 1280GEL (US$415) a month.

Whether you love big cities, small towns or the countryside, Georgia’s budget-friendly prices and lifestyle means that there is something for everyone. Tbilisi may not have as exciting a reputation as London, Paris, New York or Berlin, but the city still has a thriving culture and arts scene, beautiful architecture and good connections to the rest of Georgia and its neighbors. 

As affordable as the cost of living in Georgia is to many, bear in mind that, without an excellent knowledge of either Georgian or Russian, it can be very difficult to find work. You will need to have income from other sources. 

Georgia is a cash-driven society. Don’t rely on ATMs or card payments. Cheques, be they regular or travellers’, are also not widely accepted in Georgia.

cakes in tbilisi

Finding housing can also be challenging if you do not speak either Georgian or Russian. Finding a private rental before your arrival is probably not the way forward if you don’t speak either language. Most schools contract private companies to provide hostel accommodation or shared rooms for international students. 

You will generally be charged about 300GEL (US$95) a month for accommodation like this. While this may not be ideal, it will do as a starting point for a few weeks until you find something more permanent. Finding your own place will be a lot easier once you’re in Georgia as many landlords only take rent payments and security deposits in cash.

Healthcare in Georgia remains limited, basic and open only to citizens and long-term residents. However, some schools offer health insurance to their international students. If your school doesn’t have such a program, then there are many good private insurance providers with information available in English.

Studying in Georgia

Want an overview of Georgia? This section gives a brief insight into the country, the culture, some of the customs and some of norms. Did you know that Georgia is one of the world's original wine producers? If the answer was no, then you need to take a look at this section.

Education in Georgia

Want to know more about how the higher education system in Georgia works? Want to know which Georgian universities are best for international students? We've put together information on this in this section.

Student Visas

Do you need a visa to enter Georgia to study? Learn more about the unorthodox student visa process, and what you need to enter the country, depending on your citizenship. You will also be required to bring certain documents with you to register in Georgia, which we cover as well.

Tuition Fees & Scholarships

Tuition fees for degree programs in Georgia are fairly similar. Both international and domestic students are expected to pay tuition fees in Georgia. We've put together information on how this works in this section.

Language & Culture

Georgia is a country rich in history and culture. Find out more about what the country offers in terms of language, culture, and more! We also look at the unusual statuses of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in this section.

Application Process

All schools have specific admissions requirements for students to gain acceptance. Learn more about the ins and outs of admission to programs in Georgia, and what you need to apply.

Programs

Ready to look at education in Georgia? Use our search engine to find and compare top programs in Georgia today!

Keystone Team

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The Keystone Team is comprised of experienced educators and advisors dedicated to providing valuable resources and advice to students all over the world.