Cost of Living in Georgia for Indian Students

Monthly Cost of Living in Georgia: City-Wise Breakdown for Indian Students

Tbilisi is the most expensive city in Georgia, followed by Batumi and Kutaisi. Most Indian students studying MBBS are based in Tbilisi, which is home to the majority of NMC-recognized universities. Kutaisi and Batumi offer lower living costs and are worth considering if your university is located there.

The table below gives a city-wise monthly cost estimate for a single student, covering all major expense categories. 

Source: educationingeorgia.ge (official portal for international students in Georgia).

Students in Tbilisi using the metro with a student card pay as low as 0.20 GEL (approximately ₹7) per trip, making public transport one of the cheapest daily expenses. Kutaisi and Batumi have smaller campuses and lower overall costs, making them ideal for students on a tighter budget.

Explore more: Study in Georgia 2026

Accommodation Costs in Georgia: Hostel vs Apartment- What Indian Students Actually Pay

University hostels are the most affordable accommodation option in Georgia, with monthly fees starting from USD 80. Private apartments cost more but offer greater independence and are preferred by students in their later years of study.

The table below lists official hostel fees from the educationingeorgia.ge accommodation portal for universities in Georgia.

For students renting private apartments, a 1BHK in Tbilisi costs USD 250–400 per month (₹23,562–₹37,700). Sharing a 2BHK between two students brings the per-person cost down to USD 150–200 per month. Students on Reddit note that areas like Saburtalo and Vake are popular among Indian students and offer good metro connectivity.

Indian Student Insight: Students consistently advise booking university hostel accommodation for the first semester. This gives you time to explore the city, understand neighbourhoods, and then decide whether to move to a private apartment.

Also, check out: Cost of Living in Europe

Food Expenses in Georgia- How Much Do Indian Students Spend on Meals?

Indian students in Georgia spend between USD 100 and USD 150 per month on food in Tbilisi. This covers a mix of self-cooking and occasional eating out. Georgian cuisine is vegetable-rich and relatively affordable, but Indian-specific groceries like dal, rice, and spices are available in Tbilisi at a slight premium.

Here is a realistic breakdown of food costs for Indian students in Tbilisi:

Local markets in Tbilisi sell fresh vegetables, fruits, and bread at very low prices. A meal at a local Georgian restaurant costs around USD 3–6 (₹282–₹565). Indian restaurants are available in Tbilisi but are priced higher, at around USD 8–15 per meal (₹754–₹1,413).

Indian Student Insight: Most Indian students cook their own food in hostel or apartment kitchens. Indian grocery stores in Tbilisi stock basic items like rice, lentils, and spices. Students recommend stocking up on medicines and health supplements from India before arriving, as healthcare and pharmacy costs in Georgia are higher than in India.

Transport, Utilities and Other Monthly Expenses in Georgia

Transport in Georgia is one of the cheapest daily expenses for students. Tbilisi has a well-connected metro and bus network. Students with a BOG (Bank of Georgia) student card pay as low as 0.20 GEL (approximately ₹7) per metro or bus trip. Monthly transport costs for a student in Tbilisi typically stay within USD 20–30 (₹1,885–₹2,827).

The table below covers all non-accommodation, non-food monthly expenses for a student in Georgia:

Utility bills in Georgia vary significantly by season. Winter months (November to February) see higher gas and electricity bills due to heating requirements. Tbilisi winters are mild (0°C to 5°C), but students from warmer parts of India should budget for extra heating costs during these months.

Annual Cost of Living in Georgia for Indian Students: Full Budget Estimate

The total annual cost of living in Georgia for an Indian student ranges between USD 4,220 and USD 9,940 (approximately ₹3.97 lakh to ₹9.37 lakh). This includes accommodation, food, transport, utilities, and personal expenses. It does not include tuition fees.

The table below gives the full annual cost breakdown as per the official educationingeorgia.ge data and Collegedunia's verified estimates:

For a 6-year MBBS program, the total living cost across the full course comes to approximately ₹23.8 lakh to ₹56.2 lakh. Combined with tuition fees of USD 24,000–48,000 (₹22.6 lakh–₹45.2 lakh), the total investment for an MBBS in Georgia ranges between ₹46 lakh and ₹1.01 crore, depending on the university and lifestyle.

Georgia Living Costs vs India: Is It Worth the Expense for Indian Students?

Living in Georgia costs 3 to 5 times more per month than living in India as a student. In India, a student in a metro city spends approximately ₹10,000–₹15,000 per month on living expenses. In Georgia, the same student would spend ₹33,000–₹57,000 per month. However, this comparison must be weighed against what Georgia offers in return.

For students who cannot secure a government MBBS seat in India, Georgia offers a practical alternative. Private MBBS in India costs ₹60 lakh to ₹1 crore in tuition alone. Georgia's total cost (tuition + living for 6 years) of ₹46 lakh to ₹1 crore is comparable or lower, with the added advantage of a fully English-medium program.

Money-Saving Tips for Indian Students Living in Georgia

Students who plan their budget carefully can live comfortably in Tbilisi on USD 350–450 per month. The key is to make smart choices on accommodation, food, and transport from day one. Here are practical, student-tested tips:

• Use the student metro card: The BOG student card reduces metro and bus fares to 0.20 GEL per trip. This alone saves USD 10–15 per month compared to regular fares.
• Cook Indian food at home: Indian grocery stores in Tbilisi stock rice, dal, and spices. Cooking at home cuts food costs by 40–50% compared to eating out daily.
• Share accommodation: Splitting a 2BHK between two students reduces per-person rent to USD 150–200 per month in Tbilisi.
• Shop at local bazaars: Fresh vegetables, fruits, and bread are significantly cheaper at local markets than at supermarkets.
• Carry medicines from India: Basic medicines, supplements, and health products are much cheaper in India. Stock up before you travel, as pharmacy costs in Georgia are higher.
• Get a full health checkup before leaving India: Dental and eye checkups in India cost a fraction of what they do in Georgia. Address any health issues before departure.
• Avoid Batumi in summer: Batumi is a tourist city. Rent and food prices can double during the summer tourist season (June–August). Students based in Batumi should plan for this spike.

Indian Student Insight from Reddit: "Georgia is not cheap anymore. Expect monthly expenses to go higher with inflation. Don't believe agents who say you'll finish your MBBS in ₹50 lakh total — that's not realistic in 2025–26." This is a recurring warning from 5th-year students on r/MBBSinGeorgia. Always budget with a 15–20% buffer above the minimum estimate.

Part-Time Work in Georgia for Indian Students- What You Need to Know

Indian students on a D3 student visa in Georgia are not legally permitted to work full-time. Part-time work options are limited and are not a reliable source of income for covering living expenses. Students should not plan their budget assuming part-time income.

As of May 1, 2026, Georgia has introduced new regulations restricting certain occupations (including courier, taxi driver, and tourist guide roles) for immigrants who are not permanent residents. This further limits informal work options for international students.

The practical implication for Indian students is clear: your entire budget for 6 years must be planned and funded from India before you travel. Under RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), Indian residents can remit up to USD 250,000 per year for education abroad, which is sufficient to cover both tuition and living costs.