Vilnius vs Šiauliai
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, Šiauliai where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Šiauliai's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Vilnius | Šiauliai |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 63 | 65 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 46 | 50 |
| Climate | 76 | 78 |
| Safety | 68 | 70 |
| Summer °C | 16.4 | 16.8 |
| Winter °C | -5.0 | -3.8 |
| Top disaster risk | extreme cold / winter | extreme cold / winter |
Vilnius vs Šiauliai: the short answer
Šiauliai comes out ahead on overall livability (65/100), only marginally above Vilnius (63/100). The two cities diverge most on cost of living. On affordability Šiauliai is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Vilnius 46 vs Šiauliai 50, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Šiauliai runs warmer in summer (about 16.8°C peak vs 16.4°C in Vilnius), while winter lows sit near -5.0°C in Vilnius and -3.8°C in Šiauliai. On natural-disaster exposure Šiauliai is the safer choice (safety 70/100); the dominant modelled hazard is extreme cold / winter for Vilnius and extreme cold / winter for Šiauliai.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Šiauliai — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Šiauliai — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Šiauliai — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Šiauliai — 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 Šiauliai better to live in?
Šiauliai scores higher overall — 65 vs 63 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Vilnius or Šiauliai?
Šiauliai has the lower cost of living (cost index 50 vs 46; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Vilnius or Šiauliai?
Šiauliai — summer highs reach about 16.8°C versus 16.4°C in Vilnius.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Vilnius or Šiauliai?
Šiauliai (disaster-safety 70/100). Main hazard: extreme cold / winter in Vilnius, extreme cold / winter in Šiauliai.
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 Šiauliai 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.