How Much Does It Cost to Live In Vilnius?
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania and the most coveted destination in Lithuania, which is one of the reasons why prices are somewhat higher.
Life in Vilnius is not as busy as let’s say in big European capitals, and there’s less of the typical city hustle and bustle.
Therefore, you can enjoy a combination of capital lifestyle with a spice of relatively slow life.
Keep in mind that with entering the Euro-zone life has become more expensive though. Living in the city center can especially be quite expensive, rent-wise.
Lithuania : Cost of Living by City
RESTAURANTS
Prices are reasonable in Vilnius when it comes to eating out, restaurants are good, and you get good worth for your money. You can expect most of meals to contain lots of potatoes, pork and garlic. If you want to save some money, there are always ways in which you can do so, this country is rich with all kinds of restaurants and types of food.
MARKETS
Prices are slowly rising on the rise in Vilnius, but at least it offers a wide range of groceries, from fresh fruits and veggies (which are mostly imported though, since this is a rather cold country) to a bunch of local ingredients which will make your meals delicious. The lack of fruit and veggies is compensated by the amount of fresh fish at a decent price.
TRANSPORTATION
Well organized public transportation is one of the plus sides of living in Vilnius and many other cities in Lithuania. Buses are usually on time and tickets aren’t expensive. Also, there is a cheap transportation fee if you are a student. Monthly pass for public transport is cheap even if you aren’t one though.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
Bills are of a reasonable pricing in Vilnius. They cost around 160$ for all basic ones (like gas, electricity, waste services, heating, cooling, etc) and all this in an apartment that is larger than medium – we’re talking around 85m2. Internet is very fast all around Lithuania and unbelievably cheap, costing only 12$ a month.
SPORTS & LEISURE
Enjoying sports and staying fit are a pleasure that is most expensive in Vilnius in comparison to other cities in Lithuania, but are still not as they would be in many, many other countries around the world. A membership in a gym or a fitness club costs only around 40$ a month. Cinema tickets aren’t expensive either – at least not by European standards: they cost 8$ each.
CLOTHING & SHOES
Shopping for clothing and shoes isn’t the cheapest thing to do in Vilnius – and is on par with the more prosperous European cities as well. Jeans of good quality like Levi’s cost more than 70$ and that is definitely pricey, while quality running sneakers are above 90$. The prices are bound to go higher in the near future.
RENT PER MONTH
Prices of rent are growing very quickly in Vilnius and it is known that the most expensive place to live in – is precisely the capital. It’s still possible to find a decent place to live at a price you can afford, but that’s mostly on the outskirts of town. An apartment in downtown Vilnius will cost you a bit less than 600%.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Vilnius
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $9.17 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $3.44 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $1.24 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $1.04 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $1.27 |
| Eggs (12) | $1.86 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $1.15 |
| Monthly Pass | $33.24 |
| Gasoline | $1.40 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $167.35 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.07 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $12.95 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $40.83 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $20.96 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $8.02 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $74.21 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $42.25 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $92.11 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $577.09 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $372.17 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $921.10 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Vilnius?
The average person in Vilnius spends their money like most people around the world – on food!
Then, the next expense for a hypothetical person living in the capital would definitely be rent.
Rent is still reasonably high, though in the future it might approach unreasonable heights because the prices are growing by day.
Restaurants can get pretty pricey in Vilnius which is why they take up almost 15% of all expenses of an average person in this city, along with transportation which isn’t as expensive, but it is an everyday necessity.
Average Costs Breakdown
Vilnius: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
The problem with Vilnius is that the prices are slowly growing to average euro-zone levels, yet the salary growth is slow, which makes it impossible for an average consumer to buy all necessities.
However, other statistics state that prices and wages alike have been going up at about 6% annually since Lithuania has joined EU.
Whatever the case, the matter of fact is that the average monthly net salary is around 900$ in Vilnius which is the highest average salary in Lithuania.
This still, however, means that an average citizen of this city has to set aside about a half of their salary for rent only.
Vilnius Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Vilnius Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Cost of Living by City in Vilnius
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Kaunas | 45.88 |
| Klaipeda | 46.98 |
