Lima VS Riga

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Lima
Peru
25.8
COLI Index
#93
Global Rank
PEN
Currency
Riga
Latvia
25.3
COLI Index
#95
Global Rank
EUR
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
25.8
25.3
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$450
$550
Total Deductions
19.2%
30.5%
Exchange Rate
1 PEN = 0.2289 EUR
Is Lima cheaper than Riga?

Yes, Riga is 2% cheaper than Lima based on our cost of living index. Riga has a COLI of 25.3, while Lima has a COLI of 25.8. 2% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Lima vs Riga

Overall, Riga is approximately 2% cheaper than Lima based on our cost of living index. Lima has a COLI of 25.8 (ranked #93 of 182 cities), while Riga has a COLI of 25.3 (ranked #95).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Lima averages $450/month compared to $550/month in Riga. That makes Lima approximately 18% cheaper for rent alone.

Lima has lower total deductions (19.2%) compared to Riga (30.5%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Lima. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

Lima

Income Tax
6%
ONP/AFP + EsSalud
13.0%
Total: 19.2%Take-Home: S/57,911/yr

Riga

Income Tax
20%
Social Security
10.5%
Total: 30.5%Take-Home: €11,182/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn S/277,861 in Lima, you would need approximately €62,359 in Riga to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 2% less thanks to lower cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title Lima (PEN) Riga (EUR)
Doctor (General) S/172,052 €38,613
Software Engineer S/81,247 €18,234
Product Manager S/95,584 €21,452
Lawyer S/95,584 €21,452
Data Scientist S/90,805 €20,379
Marketing Manager S/68,821 €15,445
Teacher S/45,880 €10,297
Nurse S/55,439 €12,442

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

Lima (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
San Isidro1.30x (+30%)
Miraflores1.28x (+28%)
Barranco1.15x (+15%)
Surco1.08x (+8%)
La Molina1.05x (+5%)

Riga (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Old Riga (Vecrīga)1.25x (+25%)
Quiet Centre1.18x (+18%)
Mežaparks1.10x (+10%)
Āgenskalns1.05x (+5%)
Teika0.95x (-5%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lima or Riga more expensive?

Lima is more expensive overall. Lima has a COLI of 25.8 while Riga has a COLI of 25.3, making Riga approximately 2% cheaper.

What salary in Riga equals S/277,861 in Lima?

To maintain the same standard of living as S/277,861 in Lima, you would need approximately €62,359 in Riga.

Is rent cheaper in Lima or Riga?

Average one-bedroom rent in Lima is $450/month compared to $550/month in Riga. Lima has lower rent by approximately 18%.

Which city has lower taxes, Lima or Riga?

Lima has lower total deductions (19.2%) compared to Riga (30.5%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Lima.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.

Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.

Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.