City Comparison · Updated May 2026
Latvia
COL index 44.2
Lithuania
COL index 45.6
Riga vs Vilnius — Cost of Living, Salary & Tax Compared (2026)
The verdict
Living in Riga is 3.1% cheaper than Vilnius for the same lifestyle.
Based on Q1 2026 COL index and median single-person expenditure.
Side-by-side stats
| Riga | Metric | Vilnius | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44.2 | Cost of living index | 45.6 | +3.2% |
| €50,000 | Median gross salary | €50,000 | 0.0% |
| €35,058 | Net at €50,000 gross | €34,992 | -0.2% |
| €880 | Rent — 1BR centre | €920 | +4.5% |
| €1,336 | Monthly COL (single) | €1,389 | +4.0% |
| €79,316 | PPP — net / COL | €76,737 | -3.3% |
| 29.9% | Effective tax @ €50,000 | 30.0% | +0.4% |
Monthly expenses — paired
Salary equivalence
€50,000 gross in Latvia = €2,921 net monthly.
To have the same purchasing power in Vilnius, you would need roughly €51,680 gross in Lithuania (≈ €3,014 net monthly, adjusted for cost-of-living index).
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Pros & cons
- +Lower rent (€880 vs €920)
- +Low overall cost of living (index 44)
- +Low overall cost of living (index 46)
The verdict
Across the data, Riga delivers a higher take-home on a €50,000 gross salary; Riga carries a lower cost-of-living index; Riga has the lighter effective tax burden; Riga wins on purchasing power after costs are netted out. If purchasing power is your north star, Riga edges it.
Frequently asked
Is Riga cheaper than Vilnius?+
Riga is cheaper. Cost-of-living index: Riga 44.2, Vilnius 45.6 — a 3.1% difference (Q1 2026).
What is the cost of living difference between Riga and Vilnius?+
Riga sits at 44.2 on our COL index, Vilnius at 45.6. That works out to roughly 3.1% — Riga being the cheaper of the two.
Is Riga a good place to live compared to Vilnius?+
It depends on priorities. Riga delivers €35,058 net on a €50,000 gross salary at a 29.9% effective tax rate. Vilnius delivers €34,992 at 30.0%. Centre 1-bed rent: €880 vs €920.
How do salaries compare in Riga vs Vilnius?+
On a €50,000 gross salary, take-home is €35,058/year (€2,921/month) in Riga and €34,992/year (€2,916/month) in Vilnius.
Which city has lower taxes, Riga or Vilnius?+
Latvia has the lower effective rate at €50,000: Latvia 29.9%, Lithuania 30.0%.