Tbilisi vs Kutaisi
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Tbilisi leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Kutaisi where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Kutaisi's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Tbilisi | Kutaisi |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 63 | 68 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 45 | 49 |
| Climate | 86 | 97 |
| Safety | 60 | 62 |
| Summer °C | 24.9 | 23.1 |
| Winter °C | 1.7 | 4.6 |
| Top disaster risk | earthquake | earthquake |
Tbilisi vs Kutaisi: the short answer
Kutaisi comes out ahead on overall livability (68/100), modestly above Tbilisi (63/100). The two cities diverge most on climate. On affordability Kutaisi is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Tbilisi 45 vs Kutaisi 49, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Tbilisi runs warmer in summer (about 24.9°C peak vs 23.1°C in Kutaisi), while winter lows sit near 1.7°C in Tbilisi and 4.6°C in Kutaisi. On natural-disaster exposure Kutaisi is the safer choice (safety 62/100); the dominant modelled hazard is earthquake for Tbilisi and earthquake for Kutaisi.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Kutaisi — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Tbilisi — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Kutaisi — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Kutaisi — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Tbilisi or Kutaisi better to live in?
Kutaisi scores higher overall — 68 vs 63 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Tbilisi or Kutaisi?
Kutaisi has the lower cost of living (cost index 49 vs 45; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Tbilisi or Kutaisi?
Tbilisi — summer highs reach about 24.9°C versus 23.1°C in Kutaisi.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Tbilisi or Kutaisi?
Kutaisi (disaster-safety 62/100). Main hazard: earthquake in Tbilisi, earthquake in Kutaisi.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Tbilisi?
earthquake is the dominant modelled hazard for Tbilisi on our risk index.
How is the Tbilisi vs Kutaisi comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.