Compare countries · Estonia vs Latvia
Estonia vs Latvia
Estonia(Europe)·
Latvia(Europe)
Across 12 comparable indicators: Estonia leads on 5, Latvia on 5, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Estonia cheaper than Latvia?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Estonia at 59.7 and Latvia at 52.3. Latvia is about 12% cheaper overall.
Is Estonia or Latvia safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Estonia scores 1.62 and Latvia scores 1.59. Latvia ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Estonia or Latvia?
On the UN Human Development Index, Estonia scores 0.905 and Latvia scores 0.889. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Estonia compared to Latvia?
GNI per capita runs $32,310 in Estonia against $24,980 in Latvia; people live 79.3 years on average against 76.4; Numbeo users rate healthcare 75 against 64. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Estonia
59.7
Worse than 81% of countries
Latvia
52.3
Worse than 72% of countries
Latvia: 12% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Estonia
16.7
Worse than 61% of countries
Latvia
11.9
Better than 65% of countries
Latvia: 29% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Estonia
1.62
Better than 85% of countries
Latvia
1.59
Better than 89% of countries
Latvia: more peaceful (1.59 vs 1.62).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Estonia
76.8
Better than 92% of countries
Latvia
63.7
Better than 69% of countries
Estonia: higher perceived safety (76.8 vs 63.7).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Estonia
0.905
Better than 82% of countries
Latvia
0.889
Better than 79% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Estonia
$52,106
Better than 77% of countries
Latvia
$46,137
Better than 74% of countries
Estonia: 13% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Estonia
79.3 yrs
Better than 77% of countries
Latvia
76.4 yrs
Better than 60% of countries
Estonia: 2.9 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Estonia
75.2
Better than 84% of countries
Latvia
63.6
Around the global middle
Estonia: better-rated healthcare (75.2 vs 63.6).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Estonia
95 Mbps
Better than 56% of countries
Latvia
140 Mbps
Better than 66% of countries
Latvia: 48% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Estonia
89/100
Better than 98% of countries
Latvia
81/100
Better than 90% of countries
Estonia: freer press (89 vs 81 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Estonia
6.41
Better than 69% of countries
Latvia
6.37
Better than 67% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Estonia
71.2
Worse than 70% of countries
Latvia
76.8
Worse than 57% of countries
Latvia: more pleasant climate rating (76.8 vs 71.2).
Not comparable for this pair
- English proficiency: EF doesn't score one of these countries — usually because English is a native language there.
Deciding between Estonia and Latvia for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Estonia profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Latvia profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.