Athens vs Riga
💰
Riga saves you $400/month
📶
Riga has 2x faster internet
🌡️
Mediterranean vs Temperate climate
🛂
Greece offers a digital nomad visa
💰 Cost of Living Breakdown
Monthly expenses comparison in USD
Expense
Athens
Riga
Total Budget
$2,000/mo
$1,600/mo ✓
Rent (1BR)
$750/mo
$550/mo ✓
Coworking
$220/mo
$180/mo ✓
Meal Out
$12
$9 ✓
Coffee
$3
$3
Riga is $400/mo cheaper (25% savings)
💻 Remote Work Essentials
Internet, timezone, and language comparison
🇬🇷 Athens
📶 Internet90 Mbps
🕐 TimezoneUTC+2
🗣️ Englishmedium
🛂 Nomad VisaAvailable
Working hours overlap:
🇺🇸 US West1h
🇺🇸 US East4h
🇬🇧 London8h
🇩🇪 Berlin8h
🌍 Riga
📶 Internet200 Mbps
🕐 TimezoneUTC+2
🗣️ Englishhigh
🛂 Nomad VisaNot available
Working hours overlap:
🇺🇸 US West1h
🇺🇸 US East4h
🇬🇧 London8h
🇩🇪 Berlin8h
🌡️ Climate Comparison
Weather patterns and best times to visit
Athens
ClimateMediterranean
Avg Temp19°C
Rainy Days69/year
Best months: June, August, September, May
Riga
ClimateTemperate
Avg Temp9°C
Rainy Days155/year
Best months: September
Quarterly Temperatures
Jan
10°-1°
Apr
16°8°
Jul
30°19°
Oct
20°8°
AthensRiga
📊 Full Comparison
Category
🇬🇷Athens
🌍Riga
💰
Monthly Budget
$2,000
$1,600
Winner📶
Internet Speed
90 Mbps
200 Mbps
Winner🛡️
Safety
3.4/5
4.3/5
Winner⭐
Nomad Score
4/10
4.1/10
🍽️
Food Scene
9/10
Winner7/10
🎉
Nightlife
8/10
8/10
🚶
Walkability
8/10
8/10
👥
Community
medium
medium
1
Athens wins
vs
3
Riga wins
Which City is Right for You?
Recommendations based on your nomad style
💵Budget Nomad
Riga
$400/mo cheaper with similar quality of life
💻Developer
Riga
200 Mbps is essential for video calls & uploads
🦋Social Butterfly
Either works
Similar social opportunities
🛡️Safety-First
Riga
Significantly higher safety rating
🍜Foodie
Athens
Better food scene with incredible variety
🎉Party Person
Either works
Both have great nightlife
🇬🇷Athens
Pros
- +Mediterranean climate with warm, sunny springs and autumns ideal for working and exploring
- +Lower cost of living than most Western European capitals while still offering big-city amenities
- +Huge amount of history and culture with the Acropolis, museums and archaeological sites everywhere
- +Good cafe culture and many laptop-friendly spots in Koukaki, Exarchia, Pangrati and the centre
Cons
- −Very hot summers in July and August with high UV and heat that can make midday work uncomfortable
- −Traffic, noise and air pollution on main roads, especially during rush hours
- −Some areas of the centre feel gritty and can have pickpocketing or petty crime, especially at night
- −Sidewalks and urban infrastructure can feel chaotic, with scooters, cars and pedestrians sharing space
🌍Riga
Pros
- +Lower cost of living and rent than most Western European capitals
- +Good, reliable internet with high fixed broadband speeds and growing 5G coverage
- +Atmospheric UNESCO-listed Old Town with cobbled streets and churches
- +Strong café culture with several laptop-friendly specialty coffee shops
Cons
- −Winters are long, dark and cold with snow and ice common
- −Weather can be grey and damp for long stretches outside summer months
- −Job and networking opportunities are more limited than in larger EU capitals
- −Some infrastructure and buildings outside the centre feel a bit dated