😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,700 in Vilnius versus $1,458 in Ioannina.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,604 in Vilnius versus $2,184 in Ioannina.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,507 in Vilnius versus $2,910 in Ioannina.
🌍Living in Vilnius is roughly 17% more expensive than in Ioannina, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Vilnius23% above, Ioannina6% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Vilnius
Ioannina
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.07€12.13
$17.62€15.19
-20.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$79.2€68.2
$35.17€30.31
125.08%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.14€7.88
$11.69€10.07
-21.81%
Cappuccino
$3.80€3.28
$4.09€3.53
-7.09%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25€1.94
$2.86€2.47
-21.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26€1.95
$0.70€0.60
222.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.65€4.87
$4.59€3.96
23.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.78€4.98
$5.78€4.98
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Vilnius
Ioannina
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.59€1.37
$1.78€1.53
-10.67%
White Bread(500g)
$1.66€1.43
$1.15€0.99
44.35%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.49€2.14
$3.84€3.31
-35.16%
Eggs
$3.32€2.86
$3.73€3.22
-10.99%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.70€9.23
$11.51€9.92
-7.04%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.47€7.30
$9.48€8.18
-10.65%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.15€10.48
$12.59€10.85
-3.49%
Apples(1kg)
$2.02€1.74
$2.46€2.12
-17.89%
Banana(1kg)
$1.46€1.26
$2.12€1.83
-31.13%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.75€1.51
$1.27€1.09
37.80%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.38€2.92
$2.74€2.36
23.36%
Potato(1kg)
$1.00€0.86
$1.22€1.06
-18.03%
Onion(1kg)
$0.86€0.74
$1.05€0.91
-18.10%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.69€1.46
$1.03€0.89
64.08%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90€0.77
$0.88€0.76
2.27%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.51€5.61
$5.73€4.94
13.61%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.92€8.55
$6.85€5.91
44.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91€1.65
$2.05€1.77
-6.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04€1.76
$3.40€2.93
-40.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Vilnius
Ioannina
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.14€0.98
$1.35€1.16
-15.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$44.54€38.39
$43.25€37.28
2.98%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.22€2.78
$4.24€3.65
-24.06%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.24€1.07
$1.08€0.93
14.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.57€12.56
$7.09€6.11
105.50%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.95€1.68
$2.20€1.90
-11.36%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.8K€24.0K
$29.0K€25.0K
-4.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.1K€27.7K
$25.7K€22.1K
25.06%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Vilnius
Ioannina
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$234€201
$230€198
1.61%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.81€12.76
$24.68€21.28
-39.99%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.58€17.74
$30.51€26.30
-32.55%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Vilnius
Ioannina
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.78€38.60
$47.29€40.76
-5.31%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$37.17€32.04
$47.35€40.82
-21.50%
Cinema Ticket
$10.35€8.92
$9.42€8.12
9.87%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Vilnius
Ioannina
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$676€583
$348€300
94.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.6K€9,969
$9,400€8,103
23.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Vilnius
Ioannina
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$94.0€81.0
$69.6€60.0
35.00%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.91€36.12
$45.47€39.19
-7.83%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.2€80.4
$76.9€66.3
21.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$132€114
$136€117
-2.77%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Vilnius
Ioannina
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$859€741
$473€407
81.79%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$654€563
$336€290
94.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,475€1,271
$714€615
106.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,055€910
$630€543
67.54%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,320€5,448
$3,148€2,713
100.80%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,480€3,000
$2,589€2,232
34.40%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Vilnius
Ioannina
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,966€1,695
$1,097€945
79.28%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4
4.73
-15.43%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Vilnius: September 6, 2026
Last update for Ioannina: September 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $859 in Vilnius and $473 in Ioannina. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Vilnius pays 79% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $79.0 in Vilnius vs $35.00 in Ioannina. Groceries flip the comparison at $265 vs $274, with Vilnius 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
Vilnius vs Ioannina: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Vilnius and in Ioannina?
Vilnius and Ioannina differ by about 17% in total monthly costs ($1,700 vs $1,458 including rent). Ioannina is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Vilnius or Ioannina?
Average pay runs 79% higher in Vilnius, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Vilnius and in Ioannina?
Rent for a central apartment: $859 in Vilnius versus $473 in Ioannina. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Vilnius and Ioannina?
Childcare runs $676 in Vilnius versus $348 in Ioannina. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Vilnius pay roughly 3% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,458 in Ioannina versus $1,700 in Vilnius, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Ioannina but tight or insufficient in Vilnius. The gap between the two cities makes Ioannina the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Vilnius and Ioannina?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Vilnius or Ioannina safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Vilnius and Ioannina are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Vilnius or Ioannina?
Expats usually find Ioannina gentler on the wallet – expenses run 17% less than in Vilnius. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.