Cost of Living in Latvia in 2026

A single person needs at least €700 per month to live in Latvia. This amount may be enough to cover rent for a small apartment, utilities, public transport, and groceries. A salary of around €1,600 can provide a comfortable lifestyle without having to save on basic goods, food, or healthcare. For full financial freedom, including the ability to travel, save, and invest, income of €2,500 or more is usually required.

In this article, we explain how much it costs to live in Latvia in 2026 and look at the main expenses foreigners should expect: rent, utilities, transport, and more.

The largest share of a foreigner’s expenses in Latvia usually goes toward rent and utilities. Together, they can take up 50% of income or more. The next major expense is food, which typically costs from €300 per month. Other regular costs, such as mobile phone service, internet, and transport, add at least another €100.

Below, we will look at each expense category in more detail and explain whether it is possible to save money and how to do so.

On average, renting a one-room apartment in Riga, a city popular among migrants, costs around €400–500 per month. It is possible to save money by renting accommodation in an old wooden building for €150–200. In regions farther from the capital, property rental prices are usually 20–30% lower. It is important to remember that utilities are usually not included in the rent and are paid separately by tenants.

The cheapest apartments are usually found in older housing stock: wooden houses built in the early 1900s and Soviet-era buildings.

Apartments in new-build or renovated properties cost more. However, such apartments are usually modern, bright, and furnished with newer furniture.

For the first few days or weeks, you may need short-term accommodation. In Latvia’s capital, daily rentals start from €20 per night, and prices in other cities are roughly similar.

On average, utility bills in Latvia for a one-room or small two-room apartment amount to €150–300 per month. The price depends on the season: in winter, heating creates a much heavier burden on the household budget. In summer, utility bills can be twice as low. Utility costs are usually higher in older residential buildings and significantly lower in new-builds.

According to World of Statistics, utility bills in Latvia are higher than in Estonia, Austria, Czechia, Germany, and even the United Kingdom. When moving to Latvia, keep in mind that utilities are a major expense category. Some rental listings include utilities in the monthly rent.

There are several other regular expenses to consider:

*Based on data from LivingCost.org.

On average, families in Latvia spend around 20–30% of their income on groceries. Given the average take-home salary of €1,300–1,500, this means food expenses of approximately €260–450 per month, or €65–113 per week.

One of the most popular supermarket chains in Latvia is Rimi. However, grocery prices there may be slightly higher than in other chains. Locals recommend comparing prices before shopping. More affordable prices can often be found in Mego, Maxima, and Mere.

Grocery Prices in Latvia in 2026

If you cook at home, €200–300 per month should be enough for food. Groceries and ready-made meals cost approximately €6–20 per day. Recently, supermarket prices have been rising quickly, so it is important to shop carefully: use coupons and loyalty cards, compare offers across different grocery chains, and check discounts. If you live in Riga, it is also worth visiting the Central Market.

Eating out costs approximately:

Residents of Latvia spend an average of €520 per year on clothing and footwear. For foreigners, expenses in the first year may be higher, as they will need to buy winter clothes, several pairs of shoes, underwear, workwear, and homewear. To build a basic wardrobe suitable for the local climate, it is worth setting aside at least €700 for this expense category.

When moving to another country, migrants usually need to fit all their essential belongings into a few suitcases. It is impossible to bring everything, so the first year in a new country often involves significant spending on clothing. Latvia has fairly cold and humid winters, which means it is important to budget for warm clothes and winter footwear.

Prices for Different Mass-Market Clothing Items

According to local residents, affordable clothing can be found in stores such as Sinsay, Pepco, H&M, Peek & Cloppenburg, CROPP, and Humana. According to the Waste To Resources Latvia project, more than half of Latvians (52%) buy second-hand and vintage clothing. These items can be found in charity shops, second-hand stores, and on online platforms.

For foreigners, the main way to get around Latvian cities is public transport. The cheapest option is to buy a monthly pass, which allows unlimited travel on city buses, trams, and trolleybuses. In Riga, it costs €30, while for students it costs €12. A single ride costs €1.50. Public transport fares in other Latvian regions may be slightly lower or higher. For example, in Daugavpils, an unlimited monthly pass costs €45.

For intercity travel, trains are a convenient option. Ticket prices range from €1.30 to €3.80. Buying a ticket at the ticket office instead of online costs an additional €1. The same surcharge applies to high-speed and diesel trains.

In the warmer months, residents of Riga can get around the city by bicycle or on foot. This is quite comfortable, as the capital has a fairly accessible environment for pedestrians and cyclists. Bicycles can also be used for trips between cities, for example on the route from Riga to Jurmala.

Car owners should also consider fuel costs in Latvia. In spring* 2026, petrol prices were in the range of €1.87–1.97 per litre. Diesel costs around €1.97 per litre.

*Data current as of 13 May 2026.

For long-term residence in Latvia, foreigners need health insurance. Without it, it is not possible to obtain a visa or residence permit. Insurance costs from €35 to €150 per month, depending on the package, coverage amount, and the insured person’s individual circumstances.

Policies are usually purchased for a quarter or a full year. A specialist consultation without insurance costs around €40–60 on average, while inpatient treatment starts from €100 per day.

Latvia has cold and humid winters, which are a common cause of colds and seasonal illness. Basic insurance usually covers only emergencies and hospitalization. To avoid unexpected medical expenses, it is worth taking out extended insurance or setting aside money for 3–4 doctor visits and medication “just in case.”

Approximate Healthcare Costs in Latvia

If you are a citizen of an EU or eurozone country, you should not face major problems accessing healthcare. Latvia accepts the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which allows you to receive medical treatment almost free of charge. In addition, Latvian employers usually provide private insurance for their employees. Foreigners who permanently live and work in Latvia may also gain access to the public healthcare system.

The amount foreigners need to budget for leisure and entertainment in Latvia depends on their interests and lifestyle. For sports, it is worth setting aside around €45 per month for a gym membership. To watch series and films at home, you will need a streaming subscription, which usually costs €10–11 per month.

Latvian residents enjoy attending free city festivals, going to concerts, museums, and other cultural heritage sites, and reading printed books. Hockey and basketball matches are also popular, as are casual meet-ups in bars.

On average, local residents earn around €1,300–1,500 after tax. This is enough to cover rent or mortgage payments, utilities, groceries, transport, and entertainment. However, living alone on this income is more difficult than sharing expenses with family members. The main reason is housing costs, which can take up 50% of the budget or more.

The minimum wage in Latvia in 2026 is €780. It is possible to live on this amount if you rent accommodation with others, save on groceries, and carefully monitor utility consumption. However, the standard of living for a foreigner in Latvia on a minimum wage will be modest, mainly because rent must still be paid.

We covered salaries in Latvia in more detail in another blog article. There, you can find out how much different professionals earn and how net income is calculated after taxes.

According to the latest data, 43% of foreigners came to Latvia for work. Labour migrants and expats do not always move together with their families. Often, loved ones remain in the home country and may need financial support.

You can send money from Latvia to family, relatives, and friends using mobile apps that specialize in international money transfers. The Korona app offers this option and supports 60+ destinations, including Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.

Sending a transfer with Korona is simple: download the app, sign in using a European phone number, select the recipient’s country, enter the required details, and pay for the transfer with a European bank card. The money reaches the recipient within minutes. Available receiving methods depend on the selected country and can be checked when creating the transfer.

The Korona app is available on the App Store and Google Play.

Read more about life, salaries, work, taxes, and study opportunities in European countries in our blog.