Lithuania's interwar capital with striking modernist architecture and a big student scene. Cheaper and calmer than Vilnius, an hour away.
What it costs to live in Kaunas
A one-bed runs around EUR 530 a month, roughly 25% below the national baseline for Lithuania, which is a large part of why people look here instead of the capital. That puts Kaunas among the cheapest in this comparison: only 8 of the 60 EU cities we profile come in lower.
Against a typical net salary in Lithuania of about EUR 1,300, that is roughly 41% of take-home pay going on rent alone. City wages usually run above the national figure, so treat this as the cautious end.
What the economy runs on
Universities, manufacturing, IT.
The combination that makes Kaunas work for a lot of people is a country that is comfortable with remote and freelance workers paired with rent that does not dominate the budget.
How far English gets you
English works in international offices, with younger people and in the centre of Kaunas, but shops, tradespeople and anything official will expect Lithuanian.
Kaunas rates 65/100 for English, a little below the 70/100 we give Lithuania overall, so do not assume the capital's habits apply here. There is a fuller breakdown on the English in Lithuania page.
What day-to-day life leans on
Lithuania is flat, at 10/100 for mountain access, which matters if hiking or skiing is part of how you want to live.
Worth weighing
Fewer international employers than Vilnius.
Kaunas is the cheapest of the cities we cover in Lithuania. For comparison: Vilnius (about EUR 700 a month).
City picked, country still open? See the full Lithuania overview including cost of living, safety, healthcare and the path to residence, or compare Lithuania with other EU countries.