Cost of Living in Latvia

RESTAURANTS

Restaurants are mostly reasonably priced in Latvia.

If you want to be able to enjoy a few restaurants a week, go out in a couple of clubs and dine a couple of times a month, then you will need around 1000 dollars a month for all expenses.

Latvia is also famous for its beer which will cost you around 3.26$.

MARKETS

If you like to live on a rather light and cook by yourself above all, then you’ll be able to save up a huge amount of money.

However, if you are coming from a country where you can buy a bunch of fruit and vegetables for a dime, you should know that here fruit and veggies cost on average twice as in Italy, for example.

TRANSPORTATION

A monthly pass for all types of public transportation on all routes in Latvia is around 38.06$ on average.

Depending on where you have to go and how often, using a taxi might turn out to be much cheaper, but the best advice is to ask the locals in the city where you reside.

Parking is approximately around 3$.

UTILITIES (MONTHLY)

Utilities are moderately priced in Latvia, and services like mobile phones and the internet can be considered inexpensive compared to the rest of Europe.

Basic utilities including electricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage services for an 85m2 apartment will probably cost you somewhere around 284.98$ which is pretty reasonable.

SPORTS & LEISURE

Practicing sports is actually cheap in Latvia, especially compared to other European countries.

If you want to be a member of a gym or a fitness club you won’t have to pay more than 40$.

Also, cinema tickets are more expensive than in many other world countries, yet less than what is European standard – 9$ a ticket.

CLOTHING & SHOES

Shopping is nowhere near as cheap as sports are, for example.

If you want to go shopping in Latvia, count on paying more than 60$ for quality jeans like Levi’s and around 80$ for quality sneakers, which is actually a European standard.

What you can buy for less money are light pieces of clothing, like shirts, for around 30$.

RENT PER MONTH

Rent is relatively inexpensive in Latvia, considering the paychecks its people get.

For example, it is highly possible to find an inexpensive place to live in the middle of Riga, for less than 300$ per month.

However, if you’re explicit about finding an apartment in the very center of any of Latvia’s cities, it might cost you around 400$.

HEALTHCARE

Latvia has universal public healthcare funded through payroll taxes and general revenue.

Private insurance is optional and typically costs 25 to 60 USD per month.

Out-of-pocket spending averages about 300 to 600 USD per person per year, mainly for medications, dental care, and private consultations.

With average monthly salaries near 1,500 USD, healthcare costs are moderate relative to income.

EDUCATION

Public primary and secondary schools do not charge tuition, though families pay for books, uniforms, and supplies.

Private and international schools charge tuition often in the several-thousand-dollar-per-year range.

Public universities charge tuition that can range from roughly $1,500 to $3,000 per year for bachelor’s programs, while private institutions charge higher amounts.

Students bear housing, food, and transport costs.

Average monthly income is around $1,800 to $2,000, making education affordable relative to income, with private schooling and living costs weighing more heavily.