Latvia🇱🇻

At a Glance

How Latvia compares across key indices

Quality of Life170Safety64Healthcare64Affordability49Climate73Clean Air28

Cost of Living

49 vs NYC

100 = NYC

Safety Index

64/100

Healthcare

64/100

Quality of Life

170/200

Climate

73/100

Cost of Living

How far your money goes in Latvia

Cost of Living

49

100 = NYC baseline

Rent Index

11

100 = NYC rent

Groceries

46

100 = NYC groceries

Restaurant Prices

47

100 = NYC dining

City Costs Comparison

Riga

Cheapest

$1,604/mo

Food$174

Safety & Crime

Moderate Risk

How safe residents feel in Latvia — based on surveys of people living there

Safety Index

64/100

Crime Index

36/100

Lower is better

Crime Trend

45/100

Mixed perception

Walking Safety

Daytime82
Nighttime57

25 point drop from day to night

Problem Severity

Corruption & bribery
Moderate60
Property crimes
Moderate46
Drug-related crime
Low39
Violent crimes
Very Low25

0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem

What Residents Worry About

Things stolen from car
Low43
Being physically attacked
Low37
Home broken into
Low33
Being insulted or harassed
Low33
Being mugged or robbed
Low31
Car stolen
Low29
Targeted for skin/ethnicity/religion
Very Low24

Based on 678 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.

Cities in Latvia

Latvia has 1 city with Numbeo data. Riga has the lowest estimated monthly cost at $1,604. Riga leads on safety, scoring 63/100. Riga ranks highest for quality of life at 164/200.

💸Most Affordable

Riga

$1,604/mo

Safest

Riga

63/100

Best Quality of Life

Riga

164/200

Best Healthcare

Riga

61/100

CityMonthly CostSafetyQuality of LifeHealthcarePollution
Riga$1,60463/100164/20061/10037

Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.

Compare Cities Side by Side

Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life

Healthcare

Healthcare system overview for Latvia

Healthcare Index

64/100

Quality Breakdown

Modern Equipment71/100
Staff Skill & Competency68/100
Accuracy & Completeness65/100
Speed of Service64/100
Friendliness & Courtesy64/100
Responsiveness & Waitlist46/100
Cost Satisfaction58/100

How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality

Based on 183 survey responses

Insurance Coverage

Public
49.2%
Employer Sponsored
22.4%
None
16.4%
Private
12.0%
Healthcare64Safety64Quality of Life170
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Environment

Clean

Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Latvia

Pollution Index

28/100

Lower is better

Environmental Quality

Green Spaces & Parks90/100
Comfortable to Spend Time84/100
Drinking Water Quality81/100
Air Quality74/100
Clean & Tidy73/100
Garbage Disposal72/100

Concerns

Noise & Light Pollution34/100
Water Pollution27/100

0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern

Based on 243 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.

Transport & Commute

How people get around in Latvia

Average One-Way Commute

27minutes

Short

Traffic Index

97

Below average congestion

Inefficiency

107

Time wasted in traffic

CO2 Emissions

2.8kg/trip

How People Commute

Car33.0%
Walking25.3%
Bus/Trolleybus20.3%
Bicycle9.9%
Tram/Streetcar4.9%
Working from Home4.4%
Train/Metro2.2%

Based on 183 survey responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living in Latvia, answered with data

What is the cost of living in Latvia?

Latvia has a cost of living index of 49 relative to New York City (100). It is moderately affordable compared to the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,604 in Riga.

Is Latvia safe for expats?

Latvia has a safety index of 64/100, making it generally safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Riga scores highest on safety at 63/100.

What is the best city in Latvia for expats and digital nomads?

Riga ranks highest for quality of life in Latvia, scoring 164/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $1,604/mo for a single person.

How good is healthcare in Latvia?

Latvia scores 64/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it good by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.

Is Latvia cheaper than the United States?

Yes. Latvia's cost of living is roughly 51% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 89% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.

What is the air quality and pollution like in Latvia?

Latvia has a pollution index of 28/100 (lower = cleaner). This is relatively clean by global standards, making it appealing for those prioritising air quality and outdoor lifestyle.

Before You Go

Your pre-departure checklist for Latvia

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