Skyline of Tallinn
Cost of Living: 100 437,619

Tallinn, Estonia

Estonia's medieval-meets-digital capital, a UNESCO-listed Hanseatic old town, a global e-government pioneer, and a thriving startup scene with Skype roots.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Tallinn is a city in Harju County with a population of 437,619. Estonia’s medieval-meets-digital capital, a UNESCO-listed Hanseatic old town, a global e-government pioneer, and a thriving startup scene with Skype roots. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5a growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. A large share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Reported crime rates are relatively low.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 100

Below Average vs Estonia Avg (100)

Housing Index 115

Above Average

Median Income €28,000

Household income

Unemployment 4.5%

Job market health

Tallinn vs Estonia Average

Cost of Living
Tallinn: 100
Estonia Avg: 100
Housing Index
Tallinn: 115
Estonia Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Tallinn: 20%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 20.0%
  • Sales Tax: 20.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: €28,000
  • Unemployment: 4.5%
  • Population: 437,619

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 180/year
  • Summer High: 72°F
  • Winter Low: 20°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5a

Housing

  • Median Home: €250,000
  • 1BR Rent: €700/mo

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Cost of Living

Tallinn's cost of living index is 100 (Estonia average = 100).

CategoryTallinnNational AverageDifference
Overall1001000.0%
Housing115100+15.0%

Data source: Statistics Estonia / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price€250,000
Median Rent (1BR)€700/mo
Median Rent (2BR)€875/mo
Price per Sq Ft€166

Data source: KV.EE / Numbeo, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

%
$90,000 down
%
%

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Tallinn:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity€40
Heating & Cooling€145Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water€20Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)€30Broadband average
Garbage / Trash€10Private service
Total Utilities€245Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: Konkurentsiamet, Eesti Energia, Telia 2025

Remote Work Score

Tallinn scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
100
Rent
€700
Sunny Days
180
Tax
20%
Unemployment
4.5%
Climate
72°F / 20°F
Safety
1.8 homicides/100k
Population
437,619
Internet Speed
130 Mbps

Climate

Tallinn has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January40°F20°F2.5"
April57°F35°F2.8"
July72°F47°F1.5"
October52°F38°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5a

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Tallinn faces the following natural hazards:

Blizzard High Risk

Estonia experiences severe winter storms.

Flood Moderate Risk

Coastal and river flooding.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 20%
  • Sales Tax: 20%
  • Property Tax: ~0.3% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 4.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Tallinn per 100,000 residents:

11.6
Violent Crime
731.0
Property Crime
1.8
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Eurostat

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Academic Year September to June
Term System Semester — Fall (Sep-Dec), Spring (Jan-Jun)
Summer Break June to August (10 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break February/March (1 week)

Autumn break in October (1 week).

Universities & Higher Education

2
Universities
#1504
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University Tallinn University of Technology

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Tallinn is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Estonian
69.0%
Other
7.0%
Russian
24.0%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
40.0%
High school graduate
30.0%
Less than high school
10.0%
Some college
20.0%

Religion

Christian (Protestant/Orthodox)
30.0%
Other
5.0%
Unaffiliated
65.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Statistics Estonia (2021)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Tallinn, Estonia?

The cost of living index in Tallinn is 100, which is Lower the Estonia national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Tallinn?

The median home price in Tallinn is €250,000. The housing index is 115.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Tallinn is approximately €700/mo.

Does Tallinn, HA have income tax?

Tallinn is in HA, which has an income tax rate of 20%.

What is the climate like in Tallinn?

Tallinn enjoys approximately 180 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 72°F, while winter lows can drop to around 20°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Statistics Estonia / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: KV.EE / Numbeo, 2026
  • Income & Employment: Statistics Estonia Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities Konkurentsiamet, Eesti Energia, Telia 2025

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.