Cost of Living in Riga

To Anynymyous post on June 24th,2025:
So by your logic, Canadians, Aussies, and Kiwis are just British? Colonial history doesn't erase national identity, no matter how hard you cope. Keep yapping — it's cute. :)

Many men think Latvian women are negative and rude but that's not really true. People must understand Germany Sweden and Russia ruled Latvia.Throughout it all many Lavian men were killed by German and Russian soldiers making a severe shortage in Latvia for women.Latvian women needed to become responsible for everything.There's many single mothers throughout Latvia it's no secret. Foreigners come to Latvia for normally just one thing women in Club districts throughout Latvia especially Old town in Riga.I'm a foreigner who's lived in Riga over 12 years and I've never visited Old town and I don't have a gf or wife either by my choice. Keep an open mind when visiting Latvia instead of passing judgement on Latvian women.

Just came back from Riga (1 week business trip). Latvians and Russians live very well together and respect each other. Stop this hate against Russia, you EU/NATO idiots! Take care about your own countries. The "rich" EU capitals are full of nasty criminal immigrants, full of garbage and scammers. Look at Rome, Paris, London, Brussels, Berlin! I would never ever prefer living in those nasty ghettos.

In Riga I saw only friendly, white Christians! Only very few migrants which were WORKING and not waiting for social payments only! The city is extremely CLEAN. Beautiful old town. Nice churches. Many green areas, river, sea...Very very affordable rents and houses to buy! Streets need some investment (many potholes), otherwise good infrastructure. Fantastic dining options (not cheap, but also not totally overpriced like in Paris and London). Crime - almost non-existent, very very safe. Latvians were hit hard by inflation due to stupid EU energy politics and ECB printing money, but they do very well, compared to Germans. I was impressed by this small country, it is a very good place to live. Only drawback for expats is the latvian language, which seems to be quite hard to be learned.

The city became less attractive compare to precovid and war. Prices on all things are international level except some groceries. Salaries cannot catch inflation level. Salaries start from 600 eur. Weather during the summer is nice but shitty during the winter. Single room appartment rent start from 200/month. Bills for the same appartment are 60-130. People are more cultural than in western Europe. Days ago Latvia was the bridge between Russia nad EU. Now it's deadend unfortunately.

everything is at a reasonable price. so why are the primary schools for 12 thousand euro a year??? curious.

You have to see median salary. In 2023/2024 its 900€ netto. And a small 1 bedroom rent = ~400€ + ~250€ for utilities which makes it a total of 650€ per month. Just rent and utilities ALONE account for 60% of your salary. Your distribution of Expenses is totally wrong. It is a nightmare to live here moneywise. You cannot afford to do anything.

Utilities up to 325 euro? Are you kidding me?
50m square apartment in the center in the middle of the winter - 130 euro includes heating and electricity.

Half of comments are insane, gg haters

The previous foreigners were all investor's immigrants, but it was later discovered that they were scams. The government and agency did not fulfill their promises. Many people were wasted time and money. Most of them were Russians, Indians, Pakistanis and a small number of Chinese. Now they are affected by the war. Foreign immigrants are almost zero. High cost prices, strict taxes, and insufficient resources make it not an ideal place to live.

The majority of Riga and Latvia are Russians about 90% of them are.How are India people treated in Riga you ask?

Russians don't like brown people so if you move there expect to get beatings from Russians often.

We visited Riga and the countryside stayed 1 month.Riga is modern but the countryside not so much.But it's much quieter than Riga somewhat melancholy with poverty widespread throughout the countryside.It was very quiet just the same.Ofcourse Latvia cannot compare to Britain where we're from with all amenities and money flowing freely at will.

Latvia is full of rude people especially towards any foreigners visiting. From the airport to our hotel to just trying to get served at restaurants the whole experience was bloody rogue. Brits aren't liked and Latvians will tell you so. But we saw that happen to other foreigners visiting too.But still they want our tourist money.As for the women supposedly being so gorgeous that's just a myth.We went into a supposedly high-end pub to have a pint.The bouncers watched us finish our drinks then ordered us out. Bear in mind we were polite to the bartender even tipped him before we were forced to leave.Shopping was another chore total rudeness. We wouldn't recommend ever visiting Latvia to anyone. We are married in our early 70's.

It seems Riga under your figures is an expensive place to reside. I built a house in rural parts of Latvia and on British pension can live and save 200 pound a month to build my acres of English gardens. Fear is Putin and less Nato protection . This was once stolen land under Russia . Putin said he wanted all of it back to resteal it all. Then Latvia has no standing army no real defense so is it worth coming. One can say no. Without Russian treat maybe yes but London is on par with Riga prices you talk of. My guess is your way out of line with costs. Riga is as cheap its rates on house that build up costs.Food is half the price in Riga than out here in the wilds. I have friends I often stay with in Riga and they say half the price of lining in England .So there we are your facts are vastly wrong.

I built a house here in 2013-17. Working on gardens all summer can get up passed 90f easily. Winters can get down to minus 34c .Snow lasts most of winter. Short summers compared to England. The average wage in rural parts is 300 a month untrained 430 with skills. Rents not often offered but property if your handy man can be bought for third of price outside of nation. City life is far more expensive. Im on British pension now and still find can survive and buy plants when needed .I have savings but reserve the cash and life well on two pensions .Run car have all life needs .Yes if you can stand winters in warm house this place is really worth living in. Wood timber homes all spotted all over the place but finding who owns them so to buy is never easy unless you know someone here . Cabin with 5 acres can be bought reasonable but doing them up is same cost as in UK unless your a joiner or builder. I was a lawyer but found can turn my hand to most jobs .Only self employed here can make 2000 e a month . I know many who will work for 30 euro day brick laying or woodworking. Many tradesman have made a living out of us expats as plumbers and electricians I had to call in after the build was ready .One sharp learning curve of freeze to death first year here .Would i do it again,yes

Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia are cut from the same mold,just like Russia is different country names that's all.I've lived in Ukraine all of my life and it's no different than the countries I've mentioned above.I've visited all of these countries including Serbia,Moldova,Belarus,Macedonia, Armenia,Georgia,Hungary,Bulgaria Bosnia,also the same as Ukraine.All of these countries seems to be a magnet for wife hunters,from what other foreigners have told me from America,Africa,Australia,UK and China while they were visiting Ukraine.My point being there's no perfect country no matter where it's at.Everyone lives until they stop breathing and that's the only bright spot of their existence,to be forgotten, no longer existing,but the cycle of life repeats itself for those still living, obviously,which is a tragedy until the end.

A very disgusting place. Avoid this area: Lithuania Latvia Estonia...
A country separated from the Soviet Union and later joined the European Union. Cost are very expensive and the economy is very poor. Perhaps the worst in Europe. All the good things are boasted by immigration companies, mainly immigrants are from India and Pakistan. Most of them are fake student for the purpose of work doing delivering food for a living. Almost all investment immigrants have been defrauded. Be careful, spend a lot of money, and get nothing. legally deceived.

Be careful all the lawyers, immigration companies in Latvia. They will fuxk you till die

Like I said before I lived in Riga for 1 year then I left. I suppose you're another female from Latvia looking for a foreign man like the rest to take care of you.

I lived in Riga for exactly 1 year.
There must be atleast 14 or more women to one man is what a woman told me when I first arrived. I rarely saw very many men while living there.Alot of times I'd eat at restaurants and I'd be the only man at the restaurant.At times women would follow me around Riga and they were in groups of 5 or more often.Honestly I've never seen so many ugly looking women in my life at banks restaurants at parks or just walking around. Latvian women take ugly to a whole new level promise and they smell bad.If you're a single man don't visit Latvia unless you like fat hideous looking women with missing teeth etc.

I cannot get the bubble gum out of my hair since falling asleep at a candy store in Riga.

I lost my dog in Riga maybe he's on here.He's a doctor in Riga and gets paid in dog biscuits.

You can find easly jobs there in IT field, more international companies establishing offices and living conditions is quite cheap can be found city24...LOL

Riga is a nice place to live and to work, average salary is around 1000 € international companies can pay more like TELE2, ATEA, Accenture and more...LOL

Riga is a smorgasboard for shag parties it's a British thing we like it ofcourse.

---> Anonymous, the rent has wide range of prices and can be found on the website city24...LOL

---> Anonymous. The information is wrong from your side, note that Riga is modern city with many opportunities and salaries are growing very fast, and you can earn about 1000 €...LOL

Average salary for simple work is around 700 € and for professionals around 1000 €...LOL

Average salary is around 1000 € after taxes due to reason of shadow economy...LOL

Salaries are much higher compared with data from this site...LOL