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Bucharest vs Warsaw

Bucharest runs about 45% cheaper than Warsaw for this household, a difference of 596 USD a month.

Floreasca business district in Bucharest, Romania, as seen from Lake Herăstrău.
Bucharest
$1,334/month · Romania
Madalin Pentelie · CC0
Aleja Rzeczypospolitej w Warszawie, widok od południa, na pierwszym planie Świątynia Opatrzności Bożej.
Warsaw
$1,930/month · Poland
Emptywords · CC BY-SA 4.0
Bucharest monthly
$1,334
Index 21 (NYC = 100)
Warsaw monthly
$1,930
Index 30 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+45%
Warsaw relative to Bucharest
Rent gap
$400
Warsaw costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

BucharestWarsaw
  • Housing
    Housing: Bucharest $600, Warsaw $1,000. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Food
    Food: Bucharest $385, Warsaw $485. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Transport
    Transport: Bucharest $45, Warsaw $77. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Bucharest $134, Warsaw $168. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Bucharest $17, Warsaw $18. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Bucharest $99, Warsaw $114. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Other
    Other: Bucharest $54, Warsaw $69. 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

MetricBucharestWarsaw
Cost
Total monthly cost1,334 USD✓1,930 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)21✓30
Housing600 USD✓1,000 USD
Utilities134 USD✓168 USD
Food385 USD✓485 USD
Transport45 USD✓77 USD
Healthcare17 USD✓18 USD
Lifestyle99 USD✓114 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✓2,430 USD
Average local net salary1,200 USD1,500 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre600 USD✓1,000 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,100 USD✓1,800 USD
Buy price per m², centre2,400 USD✓3,200 USD
Quality of life
Safety74/10080/100✓
Healthcare62/10074/100✓
Air quality46/10058/100✓
Public transport78/10088/100✓
Walkability72/10084/100✓
English proficiency60/10066/100✓
Nightlife86/100✓84/100
Family friendliness70/10080/100✓
Median broadband260 Mbps✓180 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature12°C9°C✓
Summer high30°C25°C✓
Winter low-4°C-4°C
Sunshine hours per year2,120 h✓1,670 h
Annual rainfall600 mm530 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach accessNone nearbyNone nearby
CurrencyRONPLN
Time zoneEurope/BucharestEurope/Warsaw

Bucharest runs about 45% cheaper than Warsaw for this household, a difference of 596 USD a month.

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

Frequently asked

Is Bucharest or Warsaw cheaper?

Bucharest runs about 45% cheaper than Warsaw for this household, a difference of 596 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Warsaw compared with Bucharest?

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

Which has better quality of life, Bucharest or Warsaw?

Bucharest scores 74/100 on safety and 62/100 on healthcare; Warsaw scores 80 and 74. Bucharest averages 12°C against 9°C in Warsaw.