Cost of Living: Phuket vs Tbilisi (2026)

Thailand vs Georgia — relocation comparison

TL;DRTbilisi is safer — homicide rate 2.3 vs 4.8 per 100k. Phuket scores 6.3 vs 5.2 on democracy. Both cities will charge you about the same to exist.
63
Livability Score
🇹🇭 Phuket
Thailand
Full profile
68
Livability Score
🇬🇪 Tbilisi
Georgia
Full profile
Tbilisi edges ahead 68 to 63. Phuket isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you.
💰
Cost of Living
Tbilisi
$27/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
Tbilisi
2.3 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Phuket
6.3/10 EIU index
☀️
Weather
31°C vs 29°C summers
🗣️
English
Tbilisi
higher proficiency score
Phuket
Metric
Tbilisi
$708/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$681/mo
$368/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$358/mo
$2,874
🧳
Cost to land
$2,453
4.8 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
2.3 / 100k
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
25 / 100
31°C
☀️
Summer high
29°C
24°C
❄️
Winter low
-1°C
Internet speed
45 Mbps
6.3 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
5.2 / 10
Low (22/100)
🗣️
English ease
High (64/100)
$25k
💼
GDP per capita
$28k
1.4%
📈
Inflation
1.1%
63 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
68 / 100
Grid reliability
72/100 — Mostly stable
🗽
Freedom House
51/100
📋
Time to PR
10 years

For the Kids

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

394
PISA
country avg
383
6
Intl schools
1
Public school
Yes (Georgian)
$583/mo
Childcare
full-day
$278/mo

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

Settler Essentials

stable
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
Spouse works
⚠️ Your partner can exist, with paperwork

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

The Short Version

  • Rent is 4% cheaper in Tbilisi ($681/mo vs $708/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are slightly warmer in Phuket (31°C vs 29°C).
  • Tbilisi is safer by homicide rate (2.3 vs 4.8 per 100k).
  • Phuket scores higher on democracy (6.3 vs 5.2 / 10 EIU).
  • English is easier to get by in Tbilisi (64/100 vs 22/100 English proficiency).

Phuket vs Tbilisi — Common Questions

Is Phuket cheaper than Tbilisi?

Tbilisi is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $681/month in Tbilisi vs $708/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Phuket or Tbilisi?

Tbilisi is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Phuket has a rate of 4.79 per 100,000 and Tbilisi has 2.33 per 100,000.

Should I move to Phuket or Tbilisi?

Tbilisi edges ahead 68 to 63. Phuket isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you. 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 Phuket or Tbilisi?

Phuket: 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.

Which has better weather, Phuket or Tbilisi?

Phuket is warmer in summer (31°C vs 29°C). Tbilisi 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 Phuket or Tbilisi without speaking the local language?

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

Don't agree? Take the quiz and see what fits you.

Factor in your salary, family size, weather preferences, and deal-breakers.