๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,260 in Ventspils versus $1,475 in Martin.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,909 in Ventspils versus $2,091 in Martin.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,557 in Ventspils versus $2,706 in Martin.
๐Living in Ventspils costs roughly 15% less than in Martin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
๐The two cities straddle the global median: Ventspils is 6% below, Martin is 10% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Ventspils
Martin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.47โฌ9.78
$9.40โฌ8.02
22.02%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$58.9โฌ50.3
$46.99โฌ40.08
25.39%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.17โฌ6.11
$9.20โฌ7.85
-22.07%
Cappuccino
$2.75โฌ2.34
$2.93โฌ2.50
-6.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.87โฌ1.59
$1.77โฌ1.51
5.65%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30โฌ1.11
$1.34โฌ1.15
-2.99%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.48โฌ2.97
$2.08โฌ1.78
67.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.98โฌ2.54
$2.29โฌ1.95
30.13%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Ventspils
Martin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.15โฌ0.98
$1.09โฌ0.93
5.50%
White Bread(500g)
$1.22โฌ1.04
$1.40โฌ1.19
-12.86%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.93โฌ2.50
$2.05โฌ1.75
42.93%
Eggs
$2.96โฌ2.52
$3.57โฌ3.04
-17.09%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.60โฌ8.19
$15.94โฌ13.59
-39.77%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.65โฌ6.53
$8.04โฌ6.86
-4.85%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.78โฌ10.05
$13.25โฌ11.30
-11.09%
Apples(1kg)
$0.89โฌ0.76
$1.23โฌ1.05
-27.64%
Banana(1kg)
$1.65โฌ1.41
$1.73โฌ1.47
-4.62%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.08โฌ1.78
$2.39โฌ2.04
-12.97%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.58โฌ3.05
$2.15โฌ1.84
66.51%
Potato(1kg)
$0.79โฌ0.68
$1.41โฌ1.20
-43.97%
Onion(1kg)
$0.59โฌ0.51
$1.75โฌ1.50
-66.29%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.25โฌ1.07
$1.66โฌ1.42
-24.70%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.82โฌ0.70
$0.81โฌ0.69
1.23%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.73โฌ4.04
$6.01โฌ5.12
-21.30%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.72โฌ6.59
$4.84โฌ4.13
59.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.24โฌ1.05
$1.06โฌ0.90
16.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65โฌ1.41
$2.31โฌ1.97
-28.57%
๐ Getting Around
Ventspils
Martin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.85โฌ0.73
$1.44โฌ1.23
-40.97%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$38.76โฌ33.06
$29.48โฌ25.15
31.48%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.40โฌ2.05
$1.35โฌ1.15
77.78%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.73โฌ0.63
$1.24โฌ1.05
-41.13%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$10.39โฌ8.86
$23.44โฌ19.99
-55.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.85โฌ1.58
$1.75โฌ1.50
5.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.2Kโฌ21.5K
$23.5Kโฌ20.1K
7.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.8Kโฌ21.2K
$25.4Kโฌ21.6K
-2.04%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ventspils
Martin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$319โฌ272
$305โฌ260
4.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.25โฌ14.71
$28.09โฌ23.96
-38.59%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.58โฌ17.55
$12.56โฌ10.71
63.85%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Ventspils
Martin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$35.81โฌ30.54
$38.34โฌ32.70
-6.60%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.28โฌ17.30
$17.57โฌ14.99
15.42%
Cinema Ticket
$6.79โฌ5.80
$9.61โฌ8.20
-29.34%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Ventspils
Martin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$354โฌ302
$346โฌ295
2.20%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.0Kโฌ11.9K
$7,324โฌ6,248
91.27%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Ventspils
Martin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.1โฌ46.11
$70.7โฌ60.3
-23.52%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.85โฌ36.55
$13.66โฌ11.65
213.69%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$81.0โฌ69.1
$75.8โฌ64.6
6.93%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121โฌ103
$108โฌ92.5
11.72%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Ventspils
Martin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$277โฌ236
$530โฌ452
-47.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$248โฌ211
$481โฌ410
-48.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$429โฌ366
$774โฌ660
-44.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$452โฌ386
$690โฌ588
-34.45%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$997โฌ850
$2,453โฌ2,092
-59.36%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$737โฌ629
$1,800โฌ1,535
-59.06%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Ventspils
Martin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,046โฌ892
$1,577โฌ1,345
-33.69%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.39
4.39
-22.78%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ventspils: April 20, 2026
Last update for Martin: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $277 in Ventspils and $530 in Martin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐMartin pays 51% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
๐Dining out: $59 in Ventspils vs $47 in Martin. Groceries flip the comparison at $234 vs $256, with Ventspils cheaper for home cooking.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Ventspils vs Martin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Martin cheaper than Ventspils?
Ventspils is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 17% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Ventspils or Martin?
On paper, Martin earns 51% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Ventspils and Martin?
Rent for a central apartment: $277 in Ventspils versus $530 in Martin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Ventspils vs Martin?
All in, you'll spend $1,260 per month in Ventspils versus $1,475 in Martin โ a 17% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Ventspils runs roughly 31% less than in Martin. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for Ventspils or Martin?
At $1,260 in Ventspils versus $1,475 in Martin, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ventspils but tight or insufficient in Martin. The gap between the two cities makes Ventspils the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Ventspils or Martin?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better โ the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is safer, Ventspils or Martin?
Safety-wise, Ventspils and Martin are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Ventspils gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 17% less than in Martin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.