Moving from St. Paul to Riga (2026)

Riga has a COL index of 57 vs 97 for St. Paul (100 = US average). You'd pay about 41% less for the same lifestyle.

Save ~$189/mo
on rent + taxes ยท $75K salary baseline

Change cities

Key differences

COL index
97 โ†’ 57
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,500 โ†’ $680
per month
State tax
9.9% โ†’ 20%
income tax
COL difference
97 โ†’ 57
41% cheaper

Salary needed in Riga to match your St. Paul lifestyle

Based on the 41% cost of living decrease between the two cities.

Your salary in St. PaulEquivalent in Riga
$40K$23,505
$50K$29,381
$60K$35,258
$75K$44,072
$80K$47,010
$100K$58,763
$120K$70,515
$150K$88,144

Adjust your salary

Save ~$899/moon core expenses at $75K

Monthly budget at $75K โ€” St. Paul vs Riga

ExpenseSt. PaulRiga
Monthly take-home$4,122$3,491
1BR rent$1,500$680
Groceries$384$380
Transport$95$150
Utilities$195$100
Internet$63$28
Left after essentials$1,885$2,153

30-Year Wealth Builder

If you invest your monthly savings of $899 in a low-cost index fund (7% avg return), you'd accumulate an extra:

$1,096,754

over 30 years compared to staying in St. Paul โ€” that's the real price of a city.

$899/mo invested

Frequently asked questions

Is Riga cheaper than St. Paul?

Yes. Riga has a cost of living index of 57 vs 97 for St. Paul (100 = US average). That's about 41% cheaper.

How much will I save moving from St. Paul to Riga?

On a $75K salary, moving from St. Paul to Riga saves roughly $189/month on core expenses. That's ~$2,268/year.

What salary do I need in Riga to match my St. Paul lifestyle?

To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in St. Paul, you'd need roughly $44,072/year in Riga. This is based on the overall COL index difference.

Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates. Zillow ยท BLS ยท Numbeo ยท For general guidance only