Jūrmala vs Ventspils
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Jūrmala leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Ventspils where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Ventspils's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Jūrmala | Ventspils |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 65 | 66 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 40 | 41 |
| Climate | 78 | 80 |
| Safety | 78 | 79 |
| Summer °C | 17.1 | 17.3 |
| Winter °C | -3.8 | -3.1 |
| Top disaster risk | extreme cold / winter | extreme cold / winter |
Jūrmala vs Ventspils: the short answer
Ventspils comes out ahead on overall livability (66/100), only marginally above Jūrmala (65/100). The two cities diverge most on climate. On affordability Ventspils is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Jūrmala 40 vs Ventspils 41, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Ventspils runs warmer in summer (about 17.3°C peak vs 17.1°C in Jūrmala), while winter lows sit near -3.8°C in Jūrmala and -3.1°C in Ventspils. On natural-disaster exposure Ventspils is the safer choice (safety 79/100); the dominant modelled hazard is extreme cold / winter for Jūrmala and extreme cold / winter for Ventspils.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Ventspils — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Ventspils — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Ventspils — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Ventspils — 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 Jūrmala or Ventspils better to live in?
Ventspils scores higher overall — 66 vs 65 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Jūrmala or Ventspils?
Ventspils has the lower cost of living (cost index 41 vs 40; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Jūrmala or Ventspils?
Ventspils — summer highs reach about 17.3°C versus 17.1°C in Jūrmala.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Jūrmala or Ventspils?
Ventspils (disaster-safety 79/100). Main hazard: extreme cold / winter in Jūrmala, extreme cold / winter in Ventspils.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Jūrmala?
extreme cold / winter is the dominant modelled hazard for Jūrmala on our risk index.
How is the Jūrmala vs Ventspils 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.