Jelgava vs Jūrmala
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Jelgava leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Jūrmala where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Jūrmala's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Jelgava | Jūrmala |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 65 | 65 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 51 | 51 |
| Climate | 78 | 78 |
| Safety | 68 | 68 |
| Summer °C | 17.6 | 17.1 |
| Winter °C | -3.8 | -3.8 |
| Top disaster risk | extreme cold / winter | extreme cold / winter |
Jelgava vs Jūrmala: the short answer
Jūrmala comes out ahead on overall livability (65/100), only marginally above Jelgava (65/100). The two cities diverge most on cost of living. On affordability Jūrmala is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Jelgava 51 vs Jūrmala 51, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Jelgava runs warmer in summer (about 17.6°C peak vs 17.1°C in Jūrmala), while winter lows sit near -3.8°C in Jelgava and -3.8°C in Jūrmala. On natural-disaster exposure Jūrmala is the safer choice (safety 68/100); the dominant modelled hazard is extreme cold / winter for Jelgava and extreme cold / winter for Jūrmala.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Jūrmala — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Jelgava — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Jūrmala — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Jūrmala — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Jelgava or Jūrmala better to live in?
Jūrmala scores higher overall — 65 vs 65 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Jelgava or Jūrmala?
Jūrmala has the lower cost of living (cost index 51 vs 51; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Jelgava or Jūrmala?
Jelgava — summer highs reach about 17.6°C versus 17.1°C in Jūrmala.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Jelgava or Jūrmala?
Jūrmala (disaster-safety 68/100). Main hazard: extreme cold / winter in Jelgava, extreme cold / winter in Jūrmala.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Jelgava?
extreme cold / winter is the dominant modelled hazard for Jelgava on our risk index.
How is the Jelgava vs Jūrmala comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.