Living in Narva
In Narva, the median gross salary is €1,236 a month (2026) and unemployment is 16.2% (2024).
Narva had a population of 51,411 at the start of 2026. The city covered 68.7 km² in 2026. Population density was 748.6 people per km² in 2026. The high-school-or-higher share was 84.2% in 2026. Living space averaged 23.8 m² per person at the end of 2021.
Which Estonia-wide rules apply when you move to Narva?
National rules stay on the country page instead of being relabelled as city data.
Housing and cost
The housing-vacancy rate was 16.1% at the end of 2021.
No city-level rent figure is published for Narva. The available city-level cost figures remain below.
Supplemental estimate lane; these items are not official statistics.
| Metric | Value | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fitness club membership, monthly | 38 EUR/month | 3 Aug 2026 | Numbeo22Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context |
| Internet, 60 Mbps unlimited | 26 EUR/month | 3 Aug 2026 | Numbeo22Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context |
| Private kindergarten, monthly | 277.4 EUR/month | 3 Aug 2026 | Numbeo22Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context |
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | 13.5 eur | 3 Aug 2026 | Numbeo22Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context |
| Mobile plan, 10 GB | 12 EUR/month | 3 Aug 2026 | Numbeo22Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context |
| Monthly transport pass | 20 EUR/month | 3 Aug 2026 | Numbeo22Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context |
| Dwellings | 29,497 dwellings | 31 Dec 2021 | EE official material for g05_dwellings_total2Official |
| Housing Vacancy Rate Percent | 16.07 % | 31 Dec 2021 | EE official material for housing_vacancy_rate_percent4Official |
Is Narva a good place to live?
There is no universal answer. The profile scores below show who the available published evidence may suit; they are a decision aid, not a personal recommendation.
Work and income
The unemployment rate was 16.18% in 2024.
What is the typical salary in Narva?
The median gross salary is 1,236 EUR/month (2026). The regional series (home-region basis, 2025Q4) is a separate labelled row in the table.
City-scope median, gross, before tax and social contributions. the regional series (home-region basis, {period}) is a separate labelled row in the table — shown in the table below.
What is the unemployment rate in Narva?
The unemployment rate is about 16.2 % (2024).
- Unemployment rate: 16.18 % · Labour market - cities and greater cities13
Narva 16.2%
Unemployment rate (%)
| Metric | Value | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross salary | 1,236 EUR/month | 4 Aug 2026 | Statistics Estonia16Official |
| Median gross salary (regional) | 1,291 EUR/month | 31 Dec 2025 | Statistics Estonia PA117 — median monthly gross wages by administrative unit20Official · regional context |
| Unemployment rate | 16.18 %country median 2.9% | 31 Dec 2024 | Labour market - cities and greater cities13Official |
Unemployment rate rose 14.1% between 2015 and 2024, from 14.2% to 16.2%.
Public employment service
No exact public employment office is currently linked to Narva. The verified national service may still offer online registration, job search or an official office finder.
Eesti Töötukassa — Public employment service
Country-level service information is not treated as proof of a physical office in Narva. Sources checked through 10 Aug 2026.
Family and education
| Metric | Value | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| G07 High School Or Higher Share Pct | 84.2 % | 1 Jan 2026 | EE official material for g07_high_school_or_higher_share_pct3Official |
School for children who move here. School is compulsory from age 7 to 17, and public school is free. Newly arrived pupils get support in the school language: eesti keel teise keelena (Estonian as a second language remedial teaching + individual-curriculum support measures). How to enrol a child (hm.ee).
A country-wide rule for Estonia; Narva's school authority applies it locally.
Sources: eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu · 2025–2026.
Mobility and administration
Language courses and integration in Narva
1 exact course-location record is linked to this city. Check the linked source for dates, availability and enrolment.
Narva
View official recordClimate and air quality
Is the air quality good in Narva?
The annual PM2.5 mean is 4 µg/m³ (2025) — within the WHO 2021 guideline. Source: EEA Air Quality Annual Statistics — EE 2025 PM2.5 exact station temporal replacement8
Annual mean at the measuring site(s) serving the city; current-day readings differ.
Night-time low to daytime high
mm
Within WHO 2021 guidelineAbove WHO, within EU limitAbove EU legal limitCity annual mean · µg/m³
City values from the published air-quality observations. WHO 2021 guidelines and EU limit values are published constants.
| Metric | Value | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NO₂ — annual mean | 6 µg/m³ | 31 Dec 2024 | EEA air quality statistics — EE NO2 annual mean 2024 (station "Narva")9Official · nearest-station reading |
| PM10 — annual mean | 10 µg/m³ | 31 Dec 2024 | EEA air quality statistics — EE PM10 annual mean 2024 (station "Narva")10Official · nearest-station reading |
| PM2.5 — annual mean | 4 µg/m³ | 31 Dec 2025 | EEA Air Quality Annual Statistics — EE 2025 PM2.5 exact station temporal replacement8Official |
| Average daytime high by month | Jan -2.3 · Feb -2.4 · Mar 1.9 · Apr 9.5 · May 15.8 · Jun 19.6 · Jul 22.4 · Aug 21 · Sep 15.7 · Oct 8.5 · Nov 2.7 · Dec -0.5 °C | 1991–2020 | WMO Climatological Normals 1991-2020 station CSV21Official |
| Average night-time low by month | Jan -7.5 · Feb -8.5 · Mar -5.5 · Apr -0.1 · May 4.3 · Jun 9.1 · Jul 11.9 · Aug 10.9 · Sep 7 · Oct 2.4 · Nov -1.7 · Dec -5 °C | 1991–2020 | WMO Climatological Normals 1991-2020 station CSV21Official |
| Average temperature by month | Jan -4.6 · Feb -5.2 · Mar -1.7 · Apr 4.5 · May 10.3 · Jun 14.6 · Jul 17.4 · Aug 15.9 · Sep 11.2 · Oct 5.5 · Nov 0.6 · Dec -2.5 °C | 1991–2020 | WMO Climatological Normals 1991-2020 station CSV21Official |
| Average precipitation by month | Jan 45.2 · Feb 33.5 · Mar 36.3 · Apr 33.9 · May 50.1 · Jun 84.1 · Jul 77.4 · Aug 92.9 · Sep 66.6 · Oct 83.9 · Nov 64.2 · Dec 49 mm | 1991–2020 | WMO Climatological Normals 1991-2020 station CSV21Official |
Population and city profile
How many people live in Narva?
The published population was 51,411 people in January 2026. Source: EE official material for population_total7
By nationality
National passport63.4%Foreign residents36.6%
Calculated from the population and foreign-resident facts on this page.
| Metric | Value | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| City area | 68.68 km² | 1 Jan 2026 | EE official material for population_total7Official |
| Foreign-resident share | 36.64 % | 1 Jan 2026 | EE official material for foreign_population_total1Official |
| Foreign residents | 18,836 people | 1 Jan 2026 | EE official material for foreign_population_total1Official |
| Population density | 748.6 people/km² | 1 Jan 2026 | EE official material for population_total7Official |
| Population | 51,411 people | 1 Jan 2026 | EE official material for population_total7Official |
Population fell 12.4% between 2011 and 2026, from 58,663 to 51,411.
Foreign residents fell 40.0% between 2011 and 2026, from 31,388 to 18,836.
International community in Narva
Named groups from exact city-grain official distributions. Citizenship, birthplace, language and ancestry answer different questions and stay separate.
Country of birth
Population in the 2021 Population and Housing Census; total age group and total sex · 2021 Census (31 December 2021)
| Published group | People | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Russian Federation | 17,448 | 32.3% |
| Ukraine | 1,271 | 2.4% |
| Belarus | 837 | 1.6% |
| Kazakhstan | 404 | 0.7% |
| Latvia | 153 | 0.3% |
Largest published groups; zero-count groups are omitted. Dimensions are source-native and are never merged. Official source19
Citizenship
Population in the 2021 Population and Housing Census; total age group and total sex · 2021 Census (31 December 2021)
| Published group | People | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Russian citizenship | 18,695 | 34.6% |
| Citizenship of another country | 1,021 | 1.9% |
Largest published groups; zero-count groups are omitted. Dimensions are source-native and are never merged. Official source18
Ancestry or ethnicity
Population in the 2021 Population and Housing Census; total age group and total sex · 2021 Census (31 December 2021)
| Published group | People | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Estonian | 3,107 | 5.8% |
| Ukrainian | 1,140 | 2.1% |
| Belarusian | 833 | 1.5% |
| Finn | 325 | 0.6% |
| Tatar | 237 | 0.4% |
Largest published groups; zero-count groups are omitted. Dimensions are source-native and are never merged. Official source17
Additional context
Alternatives for people set on Narva
Three places for the three reasons people leave a city on the shortlist: stay in the region, stay in the country, or keep the budget and change the country. A percentage appears only where both cities publish that metric from the same source, period and grain. Distances are straight lines — travel times are not collected yet.
Kohtla-Järve as a Narva alternative in the same region
Better on 5 of 7 metrics measured the same way, worse on 1.
- Empty flats: 24.0% Kohtla-Järve vs 16.1% Narva+49%
- Median gross pay, city: €1,431 Kohtla-Järve vs €1,236 Narva+16%
- Annual PM2.5: 3.0 µg/m³ Kohtla-Järve vs 4.0 µg/m³ Narva−25%
- Median gross pay, region: €1,450 Kohtla-Järve vs €1,291 Narva+12%
- Foreign residents: 28.4% Kohtla-Järve vs 36.6% Narva−23%
- Residents: 32,368 Kohtla-Järve vs 51,411 Narva−37%
- Nearest airport: 126.0 km Kohtla-Järve vs 147.0 km Narva−14%
Tallinn as a Narva alternative in the same country
Better on 3 of 6 metrics measured the same way, worse on 2.
- Residents: 452,563 Tallinn vs 51,411 Narva+780%
- Median gross pay, city: €2,048 Tallinn vs €1,236 Narva+66%
- Median gross pay, region: €2,068 Tallinn vs €1,291 Narva+60%
- Foreign residents: 20.4% Tallinn vs 36.6% Narva−44%
- Transport pass: €30 Tallinn vs €20 Narva+50%
- Empty flats: 18.7% Tallinn vs 16.1% Narva+17%
Graz as a Narva alternative in another country
Better on 1 of 2 metrics measured the same way, worse on 1. Median gross pay, region and foreign residents cannot be compared like for like.
- Nearest airport: 8.0 km Graz vs 147.0 km Narva−95%
- Median gross pay, region: €3,296 (2024) Graz vs €1,291 (2025) Narvano percentage
- Foreign residents: 17.4% (2014) Graz vs 36.6% (2026) Narvano percentage
- A meal out: €15 Graz vs €14 Narva+11%
Alternative cities in Estonia
Other cities in Estonia to compare with Narva, nearest in population first.
How does Narva compare?
Pick a city. The answer appears here and the address bar keeps it, so the comparison can be shared; the page stays Narva's.
Narva in rankings
Yes — migrants can receive medical care in Narva when the national insurance or residence conditions are met.
Healthcare access follows the country-wide insurance rules; local capacity facts remain city data and are not used as proof of eligibility.
Open the official coverage guideIs Narva part of Kohtla-Järve?
Narva is near Kohtla-Järve, but the collected evidence does not establish that it is administratively part of the hub or an official satellite. It is about 45.1 km away by straight-line distance. Kohtla-Järve city profile
Relationship type: Nearby Independent Place. Source12
Common questions
Answered from the published values on this page, each with its source and date.
How many people live in Narva?
The published population was 51,411 people in January 2026. Source: EE official material for population_total.
Is the air quality good in Narva?
The annual PM2.5 mean is 4 µg/m³ (2025) — within the WHO 2021 guideline. Source: EEA Air Quality Annual Statistics — EE 2025 PM2.5 exact station temporal replacement.
What is the typical salary in Narva?
The median gross salary is 1,236 EUR/month (2026). The regional series (home-region basis, 2025Q4) is a separate labelled row in the table. Source: Statistics Estonia.
What is the unemployment rate in Narva?
The unemployment rate is about 16.2 % (2024). Source: Labour market - cities and greater cities.
What is the typical salary around Narva?
The median gross salary is 1,291 EUR/month. Source: Statistics Estonia PA117 — median monthly gross wages by administrative unit.
How many foreign residents live in Narva?
18,836 residents hold a foreign nationality. Source: EE official material for foreign_population_total.
Is Narva a good place to live?
Narva may suit different people for different reasons. The page's profile scores compare published cost, work, housing, safety, healthcare and other available factors; they are a decision aid, not a universal recommendation.
Is Narva part of Kohtla-Järve?
Narva is near Kohtla-Järve, but the collected evidence does not establish that it is administratively part of the hub or an official satellite. It is about 45.1 km away by straight-line distance.
How many people born in Russian Federation live in Narva?
The official country of birth distribution records 17,448 people (32.3%) in the source-defined population for 2021 Census (31 December 2021). This is a country of birth measure, not a general estimate of ethnicity or migration status.
Cite this page
Open a format to select or copy this ImmigrationDB compilation citation. The native disclosure and text fallback work without JavaScript.
APA citation
ImmigrationDB. (2026, September 29). Narva, Estonia: population, salary, cost of living, jobs [ImmigrationDB compilation; version cc957fe6b69acd3444d82365cb3cdba8]. ImmigrationDB. https://immigrationdb.com/cities/ee/narva/ Retrieved 2026-09-29. Compilation license: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/BibTeX citation
@misc{immigrationdb_immigrationdb_narva-estonia-population-salary-cost-of-living-jobs_c9dc57aa846a,
author = {ImmigrationDB},
title = {Narva, Estonia: population, salary, cost of living, jobs},
publisher = {ImmigrationDB},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-09-29},
version = {cc957fe6b69acd3444d82365cb3cdba8},
url = {https://immigrationdb.com/cities/ee/narva/},
note = {Retrieved 2026-09-29. ImmigrationDB compilation. Compilation license: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/},
}Markdown citation
[Narva, Estonia: population, salary, cost of living, jobs](https://immigrationdb.com/cities/ee/narva/) — ImmigrationDB; ImmigrationDB; version cc957fe6b69acd3444d82365cb3cdba8; retrieved 2026-09-29; built 2026-09-29.This citation identifies the ImmigrationDB compilation/page. Underlying source publishers and datasets retain their own terms; inspect the Sources section and cite those records separately. View the underlying source records.
Sources
- EE official material for foreign_population_total andmed.stat.ee · checked 2026-07-18
- EE official material for g05_dwellings_total andmed.stat.ee · checked 2026-07-18
- EE official material for g07_high_school_or_higher_share_pct andmed.stat.ee · checked 2026-07-18
- EE official material for housing_vacancy_rate_percent andmed.stat.ee · checked 2026-07-18
- EE official material for living_space_per_capita_m2 andmed.stat.ee · checked 2026-07-18
- EE official material for median_age_years andmed.stat.ee · checked 2026-07-18
- EE official material for population_total andmed.stat.ee · checked 2026-07-18
- EEA Air Quality Annual Statistics — EE 2025 PM2.5 exact station temporal replacement EEA Air Quality Annual Statistics · air.discomap.eea.europa.eu · checked 2026-07-29
- EEA air quality statistics — EE NO2 annual mean 2024 (station "Narva") EEA air quality statistics · air.discomap.eea.europa.eu · checked 2026-07-31
- EEA air quality statistics — EE PM10 annual mean 2024 (station "Narva") EEA air quality statistics · air.discomap.eea.europa.eu · checked 2026-07-31
Show 12 more sources
- Eurostat ec.europa.eu · checked 2026-08-03
- gisco-services.ec.europa.eu place coordinates gisco-services.ec.europa.eu · checked 2026-08-28
- Labour market - cities and greater cities ec.europa.eu · checked 2026-07-30
- OpenFlights raw.githubusercontent.com · checked 2026-08-03
- OurAirports davidmegginson.github.io · checked 2026-08-03
- Statistics Estonia andmed.stat.ee · checked 2026-08-04
- Statistics Estonia (Statistical database) ancestry_or_ethnicity distribution andmed.stat.ee · checked 2026-08-28
- Statistics Estonia (Statistical database) citizenship distribution andmed.stat.ee · checked 2026-08-28
- Statistics Estonia (Statistical database) country_of_birth distribution andmed.stat.ee · checked 2026-08-28
- Statistics Estonia PA117 — median monthly gross wages by administrative unit Statistics Estonia PA117 · andmed.stat.ee · checked 2026-07-29
- WMO Climatological Normals 1991-2020 station CSV ncei.noaa.gov · checked 2026-07-29
- Numbeo numbeo.com · checked 2026-08-03
Spotted a number that looks wrong? Every value here carries its source and date — tell us what you found and we will re-check it against the source.