Riga, Latvia
Editor
March 12, 2023
The city of Riga, the capital of Latvia, is an ideal destination for digital nomads. With its vibrant culture, stunning architecture, and low cost of living, Riga is a great place to live and work. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Riga is around 40% lower than in other major European cities, making it an attractive option for digital nomads. Additionally, the city has a strong internet infrastructure, with an average download speed of around 30 Mbps, making it easy to stay connected.Riga is also a great place to explore. The city is home to a variety of museums, galleries, and other cultural attractions, as well as a number of parks and green spaces. The city also has a lively nightlife, with a range of bars, clubs, and restaurants to explore.For digital nomads looking for a place to work and explore, Riga is an ideal destination. With its low cost of living, strong internet infrastructure, and vibrant culture, Riga is a great place to live and work.
Living in Riga, Latvia: Overview
Overall score | Worksplorer index
-
68%
Quality of life -
35%
Cost of living -
63%
Connectivity -
75%
Weather
58
General
| Currency | EUR |
| Population (in millions) | 1.3 |
| Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200) | 78 |
| Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA | 10% cheaper |
| Best neighborhood to stay | Old Town, Centrs |
Culture
| Number of museums and galleries | 60 |
| Top selling local beer | Aldaris |
| Most popular local dish | Pelmeni |
Travel
| Most popular tourist attraction(s) | Riga Cathedral, Old Town, Freedom Monument |
| Discount airline | Wizz Air |
| Major airline | AirBaltic |
| Largest ride sharing company | Bolt |
| Primary train stations | Riga Central Station, Riga Passazhirskaya Station, Riga International Airport Station |
| Primary airports | Riga International Airport, Liepāja International Airport, Ventspils International Airport |
| Best rental car company | Europcar |
| Used car costs | 15000 EUR |
Connectivity
| Apple store addresses | Apple Store Riga, Alfa Centrs, Maskavas iela 127, Riga, LV-1045, Latvia |
| Internet connection (in Mbps) | 100 Mbps |
| Power socket type | C,E,F |
| Supply voltage | 220V |
| Best electronics store | Elvi |
| Best internet carrier | Lattelecom |
| Primary cellular carrier | Tele2 |
| Average monthly cost for internet | 25 EUR |
Shopping
| The best drug store | Rimi |
| Best restaurant chain | Folkklubs Ala |
| The best grocery store | Rimi |
| The most popular fashion brand | H&M |
Regulatory
| GDP per capita | $20,845 / year |
| Average annual income | $19,000 |
| Sales tax rate | 21% |
| Income tax rate | 24% |
| Tourist visa valid (in days) | 90 |
Financial
| Average mortgage rate | 2.5% |
| Suggested ATM take out | 500 EUR |
| Bank that has the most ATM machines | Swedbank |
| Average tip in restaurant | 15% |
| Pay using credit or debit card | Becoming more common |
Health
| Emergency Phone Numbers | 112 (general), 110 (police), 113 (ambulance), 114 (firefighters) |
| Polution per square meter | 1,845 |
| Health quality rank (according to WHO) | 25 |
| Main religion | Lutheran |
Quality of life
68%
-
62%
Safety, freedom, rights -
99%
Traffic -
74%
Property to income -
38%
Crime -
61%
Healthcare -
75%
Weather
Salaries
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | €1,076 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 2.56% |
Childcare
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | €368 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | €14,205 |
Cost of living
35%
-
Purchasing Power
57%
-
Rent
14%
-
Food
43%
-
Restaurant
51%
-
Workspace
38%
-
Transport
31%
Rent
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month | €452.78 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month | €311.43 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month | €837.50 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month | €558.53 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure | €21.72 |
Food
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | €1.32 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | €1.19 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | €2.39 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | €9.63 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | €0.71 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | €7.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | €1.52 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | €1.61 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | €4.50 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | €6.99 |
| Apples (1kg) | €1.31 |
| Oranges (1kg) | €1.87 |
| Potato (1kg) | €0.84 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | €1.32 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | €2.21 |
| Tomato (1kg) | €2.70 |
| Banana (1kg) | €1.51 |
| Onion (1kg) | €0.64 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | €10.39 |
Restaurants
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | €11.00 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | €50.00 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | €7.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | €4.00 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | €3.00 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | €1.27 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | €1.16 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | €2.75 |
Connectivity
94%
Infrastructure
89/100
Internet speed
92/100
Internet cost
95/100
Pre-paid plan
98/100
Utilities (Monthly)
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | €300.32 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | €0.12 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | €17.73 |
Sports
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | €39.48 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | €21.72 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | €9.10 |
Transportation
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | €1.50 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | €30.00 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | €1.90 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | €21,803.00 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | €22,252.86 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | €2.34 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | €0.80 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | €10.70 |
