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Bucharest vs Kraków

Bucharest runs about 24% cheaper than Kraków for this household, a difference of 326 USD a month.

Floreasca business district in Bucharest, Romania, as seen from Lake Herăstrău.
Bucharest
$1,334/month · Romania
Madalin Pentelie · CC0
Kraków - Main Market Square
Kraków
$1,660/month · Poland
Andrzej Otrębski · CC BY-SA 4.0
Bucharest monthly
$1,334
Index 21 (NYC = 100)
Kraków monthly
$1,660
Index 26 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+24%
Kraków relative to Bucharest
Rent gap
$200
Kraków costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

BucharestKraków
  • Housing
    Housing: Bucharest $600, Kraków $800. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Food
    Food: Bucharest $385, Kraków $448. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Transport
    Transport: Bucharest $45, Kraków $71. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Bucharest $134, Kraków $155. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Bucharest $17, Kraków $16. Cheaper in Kraków.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Bucharest $99, Kraków $106. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Other
    Other: Bucharest $54, Kraków $64. Cheaper in Bucharest.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricBucharestKraków
Cost
Total monthly cost1,334 USD✓1,660 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)21✓26
Housing600 USD✓800 USD
Utilities134 USD✓155 USD
Food385 USD✓448 USD
Transport45 USD✓71 USD
Healthcare17 USD16 USD✓
Lifestyle99 USD✓106 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,583 USD✓4,360 USD
Effective tax + social rate45.0%✓47.7%
Left over each month3,249 USD✓2,700 USD
Average local net salary1,200 USD1,450 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre600 USD✓800 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,100 USD✓1,450 USD
Buy price per m², centre2,400 USD✓2,900 USD
Quality of life
Safety74/10082/100✓
Healthcare62/10074/100✓
Air quality46/100✓44/100
Public transport78/10080/100✓
Walkability72/10088/100✓
English proficiency60/10064/100✓
Nightlife86/10086/100
Family friendliness70/10082/100✓
Median broadband260 Mbps✓175 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature12°C9°C✓
Summer high30°C26°C✓
Winter low-4°C✓-5°C
Sunshine hours per year2,120 h✓1,600 h
Annual rainfall600 mm✓680 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach accessNone nearbyNone nearby
CurrencyRONPLN
Time zoneEurope/BucharestEurope/Warsaw

Bucharest runs about 24% cheaper than Kraków for this household, a difference of 326 USD a month.

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Cost of living in BucharestCost of living in KrakówConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Bucharest or Kraków cheaper?

Bucharest runs about 24% cheaper than Kraków for this household, a difference of 326 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Kraków compared with Bucharest?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $4,583 a month in Bucharest and $4,360 in Kraków, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Bucharest or Kraków?

Bucharest scores 74/100 on safety and 62/100 on healthcare; Kraków scores 82 and 74. Bucharest averages 12°C against 9°C in Kraków.