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Cost of Living in Latvia: The Ultimate Guide

real estate in latvia

Latvia is becoming a popular option for foreign investors who want to explore investing in the European Union. The Latvia Golden Visa has only opened this culturally rich European country to the rest of the globe.

But before you head to the airport, it’s important to understand the cost of living in Latvia. In this guide you will learn about:

Living Cost in Latvia per Month

The monthly living expenses in Latvia depend on a range of factors, including whether you’re single or have a family. Where you choose to live, and your lifestyle can also impact your monthly costs. Here are some average monthly living costs in Latvia:

Monthly costs for single person in Latvia without rent
€806.90
Monthly costs for family of four in Latvia without rent
€2,691.40
riga latvia aerial view

Cost of Accommodation in Latvia

The cost of accommodation in Latvia can vary based on a range of factors. This includes where you live and the type of property. Let’s take a closer look:

Riga

Riga is the capital of Latvia with a bustling property market, economic activity, cultural sites, and fantastic restaurants. Renting property in Riga generally carries a higher cost than smaller towns. The cost of rent in Riga is as follows:

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center
€497.34
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center
€342.81
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center
€893.55
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Center
€590.62

Jurmala

Jurmala is a popular seaside resort town, renowned for its stunning beaches and luxurious spas.

The cost of rent in Jurmala is as follows:

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center
€962.50
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center
€533.30
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center
€1,300
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Center
€1,400

Liepāja, on Latvia’s western coast, is a lively port city with lots of history and culture. It’s a great spot for rental properties, offering everything you need for relaxed coastal living.

The cost of rent in Liepājais is as follows:

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center
€255
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center
€232.50
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center
€512.50
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Center
€387.50

Daugavpils

Situated on the southeast of Latvia, Daugavpils is Latvia’s second largest city. It is ideal for those looking for affordable properties in a tranquil area.

The cost of rent in Daugavpils is as follows:

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center
€326.67
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center
€250
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center
€800
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Center
€360
keychain of a house with the key

Cost of Buying Property in Latvia

The Latvia Golden Visa is a popular residency by investment program that invites foreign investors to invest in the Latvian economy in exchange for residency. One of the most popular options in the program is real estate investment, with Latvia offering a range of fantastic investment options.

Here are a few examples of the average cost of buying a property in Latvia:

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Center
Cost
Riga
€2,577.81
Jurmala
€3,200
Liepāja
€1,350.00
Daugavpils
€750
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Cost of Utilities in Latvia

It’s not just the price of accommodation to factor in when renting or purchasing a property in Latvia. The cost of utilities is another important aspect to factor in. The cost of utilities in Latvia is as follows:

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
€279.52
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
€16.75
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
€17.20
girl with a mobile phone or smartphone

Cost of Food in Latvia

The cost of food in Latvia can vary significantly based on where you do your weekly shop, the types of items, and where you live. In general, the cost of food in Latvia is significantly less than other countries in western Europe and the US. Let’s take a closer look:

Item
Cost
Tomato (1kg)
€3.07
Local Cheese (1kg)
€10.22
Onion (1kg)
€0.91
Eggs (regular) (12)
€2.60
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle
€1.81
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
€6.60
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
€0.77
Lettuce (1 head)
€1.46
Rice (white), (1kg)
€2.69
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
€1.57
Apples (1kg)
€1.40
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
€7.00
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
€1.17
Banana (1kg)
€1.64
Oranges (1kg)
€2.20
Potato (1kg)
€0.84
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
€1.40

Cost for eating at a restaurant in Latvia

family eating in a restaurant

Latvian cuisine is something you have to try, with traditional cuisine comprising of unique dishes.

From pickled fish and bacon filled pastries to decadent soups and mouth-watering desserts, eating out in Latvia is a culinary adventure.

Here are a few examples of the cost for eating at a restaurant in Latvia:

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
€55
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
€10
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
€7.20

Cost of Transport in Latvia

For those considering living in Latvia, knowing the cost of transport is important to budget how to get around accordingly. Here are some of the costs for various transportation in Latvia:

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (New Car)
€24,800.00
Gasoline (1 liter)
€1.67
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
€1.50
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
€30
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
€0.75

Cost of Healthcare in Latvia

healthcare italian

Latvia has a national health service that is available to citizens (those with a Latvian passport and residents). Health services are funded through the Latvian tax system, offering free healthcare.

However, like most countries, public healthcare generally has long wait times. That’s why many citizens and foreigners opt for private healthcare in Latvia.

Here are some basic healthcare costs in Latvia:

General practitioner
€15-€40
Specialist consultation
€50-€100
Hospital stays per day
€100-€500
Diagnostic tests (MRI, X-rays etc.)
€50-€300
Private health insurance
€50-€150 per month

Cost of Education in Latvia

Latvia offers high quality education at a much lower cost. This is one of the main benefits of obtaining Latvian citizenship for those with children or those looking to further their own higher education and careers.

Most foreign nationals in Latvia choose private international schooling for children between 2-17. After that, it’s time for university, with Latvia offering a range of degrees at various levels. Here are some costs for education in Latvia:

Kindergarten (Private) per year
€8,600-€16,700
Primary school (Private) per year
€18,700-€20,600
High school (Private) per year
€20,600-€21,700
University per year (degree dependent)
€1,800-€15,000

Living Cost in Latvia for International Students

education-university

The cost of living in Latvia for international students is significantly less than western European countries and the USA. The most significant cost is for accommodation. Luckily, for students there are a range of options, including student dormitories. For example, a dorm in an old town can be much cheaper than a single bedroom or shared apartments, particularly in bigger cities.

Here is a breakdown for the cost of living in Latvia per month for international students:

Accommodation
€100-€350
Transport
€50-€100
Entertainment
€100
Utilities
€150
Food
€150-€300
Health insurance
€50

Cost of Entertainment in Latvia

Latvia is full to the brim of exciting and fun activities. From exploring ancient ruins and taking fascinating art classes to exploring the gorgeous natural landscapes and going on a culinary adventure, there is no shortage of things to do in Latvia.

Here are some basic entertainment costs in Latvia:

Fitness club, monthly fee for 1 adult
€40.50
Cinema, international release, 1 seat
€10
Tennis court rent (1 hour on weekend)
€25.61
Museum entrance
€6-€12
Art class
€30-€55
fitness club interior

Cost of Living in Latvia vs. Other Countries

Latvia cost of living vs UK

The cost of living in Latvia vs the UK can vary depending on what you’re looking at. The United Kingdom is generally more expensive in terms of rent, education, and other expenses. But when you look at things like food, utilities, and eating out there isn’t as much of a difference. Let’s take a closer look:

Item
UK
Latvia
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center
€1,279.34
€421.67
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center
€2,118.38
€808.14
International Primary School, yearly for 1 Child
€18,673.64
€13,187.50
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
€292.32
€279.52
Mobile phone monthly plan with calls and 10GB+ data
€15.10
€17.20
Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL)
€37.07
€16.75
Meal, inexpensive restaurant
€17.99
€10.00
Meal for 2 people, mid-range restaurant, three-course
€77.97
€55.00
McMeal at McDonald’s (or equivalent combo meal)
€8.98
€7.20

Cost of living in Latvia vs USA

The cost of living in the USA vs Latvia is quite significant. While the costs can fluctuate based on the exchange rate, the difference in cost between these two countries is evident in all sectors. This is one of the main reasons Latvia is so popular among digital nomads, as our 2025 Global Digital Nomads report points out, Latvia ranks 21st, with a ranking of 87.25. Let’s take a look at the price differences:

Item
USA
Latvia
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center
€1,681.91
$1,761.78
€421.67
$445.69
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center
€2,818.68
$2,952.54
€808.14
$854.17
International Primary School, yearly for 1 Child
€21,553
$22,682
€13,187.50
$13,938.58
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
€197.71
$207.10
€279.52
$295.44
Mobile phone monthly plan with calls and 10GB+ data
€67.85
$71.07
€17.20
$18.20
Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL)
€19.09
$20
€16.75
$17.70
Meal, inexpensive restaurant
€71.60
$75
€10.00
$10.57
Meal for 2 people, mid-range restaurant, three-course
€62.05
$65
€55.00
$58.13
McMeal at McDonald’s (or equivalent combo meal)
€13.37
$14
€7.20
€7.61

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.

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We’ll Help You Navigate

The average salary in Latvia in 2024 stands at about €1,200 per month . It’s important to know that there are job opportunities in Latvia in the IT, engineering, and construction sectors.

Rent in Latvia can range based on the area and property type. Rent in Latvia ranges between €250-€1,400.

 

Latvia is relatively cheap to live compared to Western European countries and the US, with items like rent and healthcare costing significantly less.

 

For a single person to live comfortably in Latvia they will need about €806 per month without rent. For a family of four this increases to €2,691 without rent.

 

The average meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Latvia is around €10. For a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant you can expect to pay anywhere from €55.

 

The average cost of living for international students in Latvia is generally between €600-€850 per month depending on accommodation, lifestyle and individual circumstances.

 

Latvia offers a cheaper cost of living compared to the UK. Including rent, Latvia is 37.2% cheaper than the UK. For accommodation in the UK, you can pay double or triple for the same type of accommodation in Latvia. However, food prices and eating at restaurants are quite similar in price.

 

Yes, the cost of living in the US is 87% more than in Latvia. The estimated monthly expenses for a single person in Latvia are €806 per month without rent, while in the US it costs €1,164 per month.

 
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