Cost of Living: Gothenburg vs Tbilisi (2026)

Sweden vs Georgia — relocation comparison

TL;DRTbilisi is 37% cheaper on rent ($681/mo vs $1080/mo). Sweden gets you to permanent residency 5 years faster (5 vs 10 years). Both cities require a personal relationship with your winter coat.
78
Livability Score
🇸🇪 Gothenburg
Sweden
Full profile
68
Livability Score
🇬🇪 Tbilisi
Georgia
Full profile
Gothenburg scores 78 to Tbilisi's 68 on livability — the gap is real. Tbilisi has its charms, but the numbers favor Gothenburg.
💰
Cost of Living
Tbilisi
$399/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
Gothenburg
1.1 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Gothenburg
9.4/10 EIU index
☀️
Weather
19°C vs 29°C summers
🗣️
English
Gothenburg
higher proficiency score
📋
Residency
Gothenburg
PR in 5 years
Gothenburg
Metric
Tbilisi
$1080/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$681/mo
$631/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$358/mo
$3,302
🧳
Cost to land
$2,453
1.1 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
2.3 / 100k
46 / 100
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
25 / 100
19°C
☀️
Summer high
29°C
-3°C
❄️
Winter low
-1°C
163 Mbps
Internet speed
45 Mbps
9.4 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
5.2 / 10
Very High (86/100)
🗣️
English ease
High (64/100)
$72k
💼
GDP per capita
$28k
2.8%
📈
Inflation
1.1%
78 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
68 / 100
82/100 — Mostly stable
Grid reliability
72/100 — Mostly stable
99/100
🗽
Freedom House
51/100
5 years
📋
Time to PR
10 years

For the Kids

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

488
PISA
country avg
383
1
Intl schools
1
Yes (Swedish)
Public school
Yes (Georgian)
Free for all children; excellent child health clinics (BVC)
Pediatric care
4–12 weeks
Specialist wait
$271/mo
capped*
Childcare
full-day
$278/mo

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

Settler Essentials

stable
Democracy trend
declining
automotivemaritimecleantechfintech
Industries
tech-outsourcingfintechtourismigaming
active
Startup ecosystem
nascent
82/100
Grid reliability
72/100
5 yrs
Time to PR
10 yrs
Easy
EU visa
Easy
Complex
RU visa
Easy
Easy
UA visa
Easy
Your partner can also work
Spouse works
⚠️ Your partner can exist, with paperwork

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

The Short Version

  • Rent is 37% cheaper in Tbilisi ($681/mo vs $1080/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are dramatically warmer in Tbilisi (29°C vs 19°C).
  • Gothenburg is safer by homicide rate (1.1 vs 2.3 per 100k).
  • Gothenburg scores higher on democracy (9.4 vs 5.2 / 10 EIU).
  • English is easier to get by in Gothenburg (86/100 vs 64/100 English proficiency).

Gothenburg vs Tbilisi — Common Questions

Is Gothenburg cheaper than Tbilisi?

Tbilisi is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $681/month in Tbilisi vs $1080/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Gothenburg or Tbilisi?

Gothenburg is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Gothenburg has a rate of 1.10 per 100,000 and Tbilisi has 2.33 per 100,000.

Should I move to Gothenburg or Tbilisi?

Gothenburg scores 78 to Tbilisi's 68 on livability — the gap is real. Tbilisi has its charms, but the numbers favor Gothenburg. 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 Gothenburg or Tbilisi?

Gothenburg: Sweden Self-Employment Permit (complex process, 2 years (renewable)). Tbilisi: Remotely from Georgia (easy to get, Up to 1 year). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Which has better weather, Gothenburg or Tbilisi?

Tbilisi is warmer in summer (29°C vs 19°C). Gothenburg has milder summers, which suits those who prefer cooler weather. Climate preference is personal — use the weather section above to compare seasons.

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

English is easier to get by in Gothenburg (EF EPI score: 86/100) than in Tbilisi (64/100). In Gothenburg, daily life and professional settings often work in English. In Tbilisi, learning some of the local language will make long-term settlement significantly smoother.

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