🇰🇿 Almaty vs 🇬🇪 Tbilisi

Kazakhstan vs Georgia — relocation comparison

TL;DRRent is roughly similar in both cities, so your decision here won't be dictated by your wallet. Congratulations, or condolences. Tbilisi scores higher on democracy, which Almaty might dispute if they were allowed to.
65
Livability Score
🇰🇿 Almaty
Kazakhstan
Full profile →
68
Livability Score
🇬🇪 Tbilisi
Georgia
Full profile →
Tbilisi wins this one convincingly — the data doesn't lie. Almaty has its charms, but the numbers favor Tbilisi.
💰
Cost of Living
Tbilisi
$75/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
Tbilisi
2.3 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Tbilisi
5.2/10 EIU index
🗣️
English
Tbilisi
higher proficiency score
Almaty
Metric
Tbilisi
$756/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$681/mo
$361/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$358/mo
2.6 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
2.3 / 100k
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
25 / 100
28°C
☀️
Summer high
29°C
-9°C
❄️
Winter low
-1°C
133 Mbps
Internet speed
45 Mbps
3.1 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
5.2 / 10
Low (22/100)
🗣️
English ease
High (64/100)
$41k
💼
GDP per capita
$28k
8.7%
📈
Inflation
1.1%
65 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
68 / 100
Grid reliability
72/100 — Decent
🗽
Freedom House
51/100
📋
Time to PR
10 years

For the Kids

Schools, pediatric care, and whether your children can actually enroll

411
PISA
country avg
383
3
Intl schools
1
Public school
Yes (Georgian)
$352/mo
Childcare
private, full-day
$278/mo

Sources: OECD PISA 2022 · Wikipedia · Numbeo · official health systems

Settler Essentials

Democracy trend
declining
Industries
tech-outsourcingfintechtourismigaming
Startup ecosystem
nascent
Grid reliability
72/100
Time to PR
10 yrs
EU visa
Easy
RU visa
Easy
UA visa
Easy
Lindy Hop
Small

Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals

The Short Version

  • Rent is 10% cheaper in Tbilisi ($681/mo vs $756/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are slightly warmer in Tbilisi (29°C vs 28°C).
  • Tbilisi scores higher on democracy (5.2 vs 3.1 / 10 EIU).
  • English is easier to get by in Tbilisi (64/100 vs 22/100 English proficiency).

Almaty vs Tbilisi — Common Questions

Is Almaty cheaper than Tbilisi?

Tbilisi is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $681/month in Tbilisi vs $756/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Almaty or Tbilisi?

Tbilisi is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Almaty has a rate of 2.63 per 100,000 and Tbilisi has 2.33 per 100,000.

Should I move to Almaty or Tbilisi?

Tbilisi wins this one convincingly — the data doesn't lie. Almaty has its charms, but the numbers favor Tbilisi. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.

Is it easier to get residency in Almaty or Tbilisi?

Almaty: no specific remote work visa. Tbilisi: Remotely from Georgia (easy to get, Up to 1 year). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Can I live in Almaty or Tbilisi without speaking the local language?

English is easier to get by in Tbilisi (EF EPI score: 64/100) than in Almaty (22/100). In Tbilisi, daily life and professional settings often work in English. In Almaty, learning some of the local language will make long-term settlement significantly smoother.

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