Latvian cities for expats

Latvia is a country in Northern Europe with an area of 64,589 km². Its population in 2023 was 1 million 883 thousand inhabitants. Every year, the total volume of immigration into the country increases. In 2020, 98,328 foreigners were registered, 82% of whom were citizens of third countries. For example, today, 56,675 Ukrainians, 2,014 Armenians, 1,600 Uzbeks, 1,508 Moldovans, and 1,567 Azerbaijanis are registered in Latvia.

In 2022, Latvia became one of the countries allowing foreign citizens to obtain a digital nomad visa. This innovation could not help but increase interest in the country among potential expats. If you are one of them, you should definitely read this article to the end. Large cities such as Riga, Jurmala and Daugavpils attract expats in the first place. However, smaller cities like Cesis and Kuldiga also have their advantages. What Latvian cities would be the right fit for you? Let's figure that out together.

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Latvian cities by population

Population size plays a huge part in how you experience living in a particular city. If you are planning a move in search of career opportunities, the major Latvian cities are what you should aim for. At the same time, if you prefer a relaxed lifestyle and it is crucial for you to be close to nature, it's worth considering less populated cities. If you are looking for a golden mean, the table below presents popular Latvian cities by population size.

City	Population size
Riga	609,489
Daugavpils	86,872
Liepaja	73,333
Jelgava	58,154
Jurmala	56,862
Ventspils	35,660
Rezekne	28,785

Pay attention to these when choosing a city

Before you choose a city to move to, analyse your needs. The list below shows the most common things to consider. Next, you can use the compiled list to make an informed decision:

• The cost of living
• Career opportunities
• Standard of living
• Climate
• Culture and entertainment
• Educational Opportunities
• Infrastructure and transport
• Tax system
• Networking opportunities
• Healthcare system
• Safety
• Cultural diversity
• Housing opportunities

Despite its small area, Latvia is famous for its natural diversity. The country's coastline is 498 km. Many large cities in Latvia are washed by the waters of the Baltic Sea, including the first city in today’s article—Riga.

The largest cities in Latvia. Riga

Riga is the largest city not only in Latvia but also in all the Baltic countries. In addition to locals, Ukrainians, Poles, Lithuanians, and many others live here. The capital is known, among other things, for its interweaving architectural styles, the Old Town, the Freedom Monument, St. Peter's Church and vibrant nightlife. As you know, the most populated cities are always expensive, and Riga is no exception. According to approximate calculations by Numbeo.com, a month of living in the capital, excluding rent, will be 843.7 € for one person and 2,775.5 € for a family of four. At the end of the article, we will provide a comparative table of monthly expenses for each city.

Pros of living in Riga:

• Cultural diversity
• Career opportunities
• Great restaurants and nightlife
• High level of education
• Beautiful architecture
• Access to nature, location on both banks of the Daugava River

Cons:

• High cost of living
• Demand for housing may exceed supply
• The city can be crowded, especially during the tourist season

Larger Latvian cities. Jurmala

This city is not only one of the largest in Latvia but also the largest resort on the shores of the Gulf of Riga. Jurmala is famous for its beaches and is ideal for those who live an active lifestyle and love festivals. However, this city will not be affordable for everyone. Rent prices in Jurmala are often even higher than in the capital. At the same time, during the non-resort season, it can get pretty quiet and even deserted.

Daugavpils

Latvia's population is very diverse, and Daugavpils is a prime example of that. The percentage of people of non-Latvian origin is particularly high here, and the Russian language is especially widespread in the city. It is also the second-largest city in the country.

Pros:

• Many historical attractions, for example, Daugavpils Fortress;
• Strong cultural life. The city is home to the Mark Rothko Art Center;
• Low cost of living;
• Proximity to nature.

Cons:

• Fewer employment opportunities than in Riga;
• Frigid winters;
• Geographical location.

Jelgava

Jelgava, the former capital of Latvia, is considered the country's industrial centre. It is home to the Latvian University of Biosciences and Technology. The city is located at the intersection of six roads and railways leading in five directions. It is one of the main transport hubs in Latvia, making Jelgava an attractive place to do business.

The city is also part of the European route E67, better known as Via Baltica. The latter is one of the nine most important EU motorways, connecting Berlin, Warsaw, Kaunas, Siauliai, Riga, Tallinn and Jelgava with all of Europe. Therefore, you can enjoy access to different types of public transport at affordable prices. If you are planning to move here, be prepared to pay utility bills higher than the Latvian average.

Liepaja

Liepaja is the third most populated city in Latvia. It is an ice-free port with beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife. Due to its proximity to the sea, the city is famous for its pleasant climate with mild winters and warm summers. The locals here are friendly, and the cost of living is much lower than in the capital. The city is also suitable for those looking for work. Liepaja is considered the centre of culture and sports, and the city often hosts sporting events. If you like an active lifestyle, this is the place for you. The downside is that it is very windy all year round.

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Small towns in Latvia

Cesis

Small towns in Latvia, such as Cesis, would be great for those who prefer a relaxed lifestyle. Cesis, which has a population of 14.8 thousand, hosts many festivals, including the annual city festival. However, during the off-season, the city is quiet and peaceful. Cesis is an old town with many historical sites preserved—for example, Cesis (Wenden) castle and St. John's Cathedral. The cost of living is low here. Transport links to Riga are well-developed; the journey to the capital takes about 2 hours.

Kuldiga

For digital nomads who value privacy, a quiet pace of life, and fast and cheap internet, Kuldiga may also be an excellent choice. Just under 10,000 people live here. This city is also often called the Latvian Venice, and in 2023, it was included in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List. The widest waterfall in Europe, Ventas Rumba, is located here, as are many historical sites, such as the Kuldiga Brick Bridge and the City Garden.

Costs of living in Latvia

The cost of living is one of the main factors when choosing a Latvian city to move to. In the table below, we presented some monthly expenses and also indicated the average salary in each city. However, you should keep in mind that the data provided is approximate. Living in Latvia and the associated costs directly depend on your needs, as well as on factors such as whether you have children or pets, require certain services, and much more.

City	Rent	Basic utilities	Mobile data	Dish in an inexpensive restaurant	Monthly public transport pass	Average salary after taxes
Riga	320.86 € - 1200 €+	323.52 €	17.58 €	10 €	30 €	1,130.54 €
Jurmala	150 € - 2000 €+	323.52 €	17.58 €	10 €	17.60 €	1,000 €
Daugavpils	100 € - 600 €+	170 €	17.58 €	6.50 €	34.50 €	937 €
Jelgava	100 € - 450 €+	283 €	15 €	10 €	30 €	1,100 €
Liepaja	130 € - 350 €+	248.82 €	14.99 €	10 €	37.50 €	850.00 €
Cesis	130 € - 250 €+	323.52 €	17.58 €	10 €	25 €	630,48 €
Kuldiga	80 € - 250 €+	189 €	11 €	6 €	36 €	614 €

So, the large Latvian cities we've discussed provide more opportunities in terms of employment, entertainment, new acquaintances, education, etc. However, life there is much more expensive. Now you have a clearer idea of where to settle down in Latvia. Today's article did not present a complete list of cities, so we recommend you further study the topic. We looked at the largest cities in Latvia, ranked the cities of Latvia by population, and reviewed some of the smaller cities in Latvia.

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