Vilnius vs Kaunas
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Vilnius leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Kaunas where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Kaunas's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Vilnius | Kaunas |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 63 | 64 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 46 | 48 |
| Climate | 76 | 78 |
| Safety | 68 | 69 |
| Summer °C | 16.4 | 17.1 |
| Winter °C | -5.0 | -4.2 |
| Top disaster risk | extreme cold / winter | extreme cold / winter |
Vilnius vs Kaunas: the short answer
Kaunas comes out ahead on overall livability (64/100), only marginally above Vilnius (63/100). The two cities diverge most on cost of living. On affordability Kaunas is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Vilnius 46 vs Kaunas 48, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Kaunas runs warmer in summer (about 17.1°C peak vs 16.4°C in Vilnius), while winter lows sit near -5.0°C in Vilnius and -4.2°C in Kaunas. On natural-disaster exposure Kaunas is the safer choice (safety 69/100); the dominant modelled hazard is extreme cold / winter for Vilnius and extreme cold / winter for Kaunas.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Kaunas — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Kaunas — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Kaunas — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Kaunas — 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 Vilnius or Kaunas better to live in?
Kaunas scores higher overall — 64 vs 63 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Vilnius or Kaunas?
Kaunas has the lower cost of living (cost index 48 vs 46; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Vilnius or Kaunas?
Kaunas — summer highs reach about 17.1°C versus 16.4°C in Vilnius.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Vilnius or Kaunas?
Kaunas (disaster-safety 69/100). Main hazard: extreme cold / winter in Vilnius, extreme cold / winter in Kaunas.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Vilnius?
extreme cold / winter is the dominant modelled hazard for Vilnius on our risk index.
How is the Vilnius vs Kaunas 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.