Lithuania is a small country with three cities that matter for foreigners. They're genuinely different from each other, and which one you choose will shape your costs, your job options and your daily life more than almost any other decision.
The short version
Vilnius if you need an English-language job — the fintech and IT sector is here and essentially nowhere else. Kaunas if you're a student, or you work remotely and want lower rent. Klaipėda if you work in maritime or logistics, or you specifically want to live by the sea.
Compare at a Glance
| Vilnius | Kaunas | Klaipėda | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Role | Capital, largest | Second city | Only major seaport |
| Cost of living | Highest | Lower | Lowest |
| Jobs in English | Best — fintech & IT | Some — engineering, services | Limited — maritime |
| Salaries | Highest | Lower | Lower |
| International community | Largest | Large, student-heavy | Smallest |
| Universities | VU, VILNIUS TECH, ISM | LSMU, KTU, VMU | Klaipėda University |
| Winters | Cold, dark | Cold, dark | Milder, windy, wet |
| Distance to Vilnius | — | ~1.5 hours | ~4 hours |
The Guides
How to Choose
Start with where the work is
If you need a local job in English, that's Vilnius. This constraint decides it for most people before anything else does.
If you work remotely, invert it
Keep your foreign salary and take Kaunas or Klaipėda's lower rents. That's the best value combination available in Lithuania.
Students should follow the programme
LSMU medicine and KTU engineering are in Kaunas; VU's breadth is in Vilnius; marine sciences are in Klaipėda.
Compare buildings, not just cities
Winter heating varies enormously with insulation. A renovated flat in Vilnius can cost less to run than an un-renovated one in Kaunas.
Visit in winter if you can
Summers here are lovely everywhere. February is the honest test.
One question to ask before signing any lease, in any city. "What were the December, January and February heating bills?" Not the average — the actual winter months. Building insulation makes a bigger difference to your annual costs than which city you picked.
Whichever city you choose
Open a Lithuanian IBAN with just your passport, before you fly.
Beyond the Three
Lithuania has other towns worth knowing about, though few foreigners settle in them without a specific reason:
- Šiauliai and Panevėžys — regional centres with industrial employment
- Trakai — the castle town near Vilnius, a common day trip rather than a place to live
- Palanga and Nida — coastal resorts, seasonal and beautiful
- Druskininkai — spa town in the south
If you're moving for a specific job or family reason, the practical guides on this site apply everywhere in Lithuania — permits, banking, tax and healthcare don't vary by city.