Viljandi vs Maardu
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Viljandi leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Maardu where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Maardu's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Viljandi | Maardu |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 66 | 67 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 54 | 54 |
| Climate | 74 | 75 |
| Safety | 72 | 72 |
| Summer °C | 17.2 | 16.8 |
| Winter °C | -6.0 | -5.3 |
| Top disaster risk | extreme cold / winter | extreme cold / winter |
Viljandi vs Maardu: the short answer
Maardu comes out ahead on overall livability (67/100), only marginally above Viljandi (66/100). The two cities diverge most on climate. On affordability Maardu is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Viljandi 54 vs Maardu 54, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Viljandi runs warmer in summer (about 17.2°C peak vs 16.8°C in Maardu), while winter lows sit near -6.0°C in Viljandi and -5.3°C in Maardu. On natural-disaster exposure Maardu is the safer choice (safety 72/100); the dominant modelled hazard is extreme cold / winter for Viljandi and extreme cold / winter for Maardu.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Maardu — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Viljandi — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Maardu — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Maardu — 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 Viljandi or Maardu better to live in?
Maardu scores higher overall — 67 vs 66 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Viljandi or Maardu?
Maardu has the lower cost of living (cost index 54 vs 54; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Viljandi or Maardu?
Viljandi — summer highs reach about 17.2°C versus 16.8°C in Maardu.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Viljandi or Maardu?
Maardu (disaster-safety 72/100). Main hazard: extreme cold / winter in Viljandi, extreme cold / winter in Maardu.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Viljandi?
extreme cold / winter is the dominant modelled hazard for Viljandi on our risk index.
How is the Viljandi vs Maardu 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.