Cost of Living in Riga (2026) — Monthly Budget

Wondering how far your salary goes in Riga? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.

What things cost

One-bed apartment, central districts€550–950 / month

Public transport, monthly pass≈€35–50 / month with an e-talons

Groceries, one person€230–380 / month

Half-litre of beer in a bar€4–6

Coffee€2.50–4

Good to know

Population

≈600,000 (city); ≈900,000 in the wider Riga region — the largest city in the Baltics

Languages

Latvian (state language); Russian widely spoken; English good among under-40s and in IT and finance

Currency

Euro (EUR) — Latvia joined the eurozone in 2014

Time zone

EET (GMT+2); EEST (GMT+3) in summer

Power plug

Type F, 230 V / 50 Hz

Climate

Cold maritime — snowy grey winters, mild summers around 21–23°C, long light June evenings

Driving side

Right; winter tyres compulsory 1 December – 1 March

EU status

In the EU, Schengen, the eurozone and NATO

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

A note on budgeting

Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Riga checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.