Life in Estonia: The Real Cost of Living for Foreigners (2025 Update)
K: CRUNCHY HOOK
Thinking of starting a new life in Estonia? It might seem like a quiet, tech-savvy Nordic dream—but is it affordable? Whether you’re a skilled IT professional or just looking for a fresh start, understanding the cost of living in Estonia is crucial. Spoiler: It’s not as cheap as you think.
F: FINGER-LICKING FACTS — SALARIES, RENT, GROCERIES & MORE
Salaries in Estonia: A Tale of Two Sectors
Let’s start with the paycheck. The average net salary in Estonia sits around €1,200/month after tax. But the real story lies in the gap between sectors:
IT Professionals: Net salaries range from €2,100 to €3,500, sometimes even more for senior roles.
Customer Service Roles: Often between €800 to €1,500.
Non-IT Engineers (Electrical, Mechanical, etc.): Lower than IT, despite high qualifications.
If you’re in IT, Estonia welcomes you with open arms and competitive pay. But for other fields, especially non-tech jobs, the salary might not match expectations—especially once you factor in living costs.
🧠 Tip: For updated data, check out Estonia’s leading job portal: CV.ee.
Housing in Estonia: The Rent is (Literally) Too Damn High
Here’s the shocker: Estonia saw the highest rent increases in Europe in 2020 (Eurostat). That trend hasn’t slowed down.
Here’s what rent looks like in Tallinn (2025 averages):
| Type | Monthly Rent (€) |
|---|---|
| Shared Room | 250–400 |
| 1-Bedroom (City Center) | 450–600 |
| 2–3 Bedroom Apartment | 700–1,100 |
There’s no rental control, no price cap, and landlords can charge what they want. Foreigners often face higher rates or struggle to secure apartments. Manan, who moved to Estonia from Pakistan, documented his own frustrating housing search in this article — a must-read if you’re new to the scene.
Grocery Prices: Estonia vs. Sweden (Surprise!)
Contrary to popular belief, life in Estonia is not cheap—especially when it comes to groceries. Manan compared prices with Sweden (a country with higher average salaries), and the results were eye-opening.
| Product | Price in Tallinn (€) | Price in Stockholm (€) | % More Expensive in Estonia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heinz Ketchup (1kg) | €3.09 | €2.16 | +30% |
| Toblerone (100g) | €1.89 | €1.08 | +40% |
📉 Even with lower average incomes, Estonian supermarkets often sell branded goods at significantly higher prices than Sweden.
The reason? Possibly Estonia’s small market size, limited distributor competition, and higher markups on imports. But that doesn’t make it any easier on your wallet.
Flights & Travel from Estonia: Limited Routes, Higher Costs
Life in Estonia often means traveling through Stockholm or Helsinki first. Tallinn Airport isn’t a major hub, so direct flights are limited and often more expensive than neighboring countries.
If international travel is a big part of your lifestyle or work, this could be a frustrating (and costly) reality.
C: CRISPY CONCLUSION — IS ESTONIA WORTH IT?
Let’s break it down:
YES, if…
You work in IT or tech-adjacent roles.
You’re moving for reasons beyond money (e.g. safety, quality of life, digital society).
You want to experience a unique, digital-forward European country with low bureaucracy.
NO, if…
You’re not in IT and your priority is saving money.
You’re expecting Estonia to be cheap Eastern Europe — it’s not anymore.
You’re relocating only for financial gain — there are better-paying countries nearby.
💬 Final Thought:
Estonia is not for everyone—but for the right person, it can be transformational. Just know that life in Estonia comes with a cost tag that’s rising every year. If you walk in with your eyes open and your budget ready, it could be the best decision you ever make.
