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Kraków vs Bucharest

Bucharest runs about 20% cheaper than Kraków for this household, a difference of 326 USD a month.

Kraków - Main Market Square
Kraków
$1,660/month · Poland
Andrzej Otrębski · CC BY-SA 4.0
Floreasca business district in Bucharest, Romania, as seen from Lake Herăstrău.
Bucharest
$1,334/month · Romania
Madalin Pentelie · CC0
Kraków monthly
$1,660
Index 26 (NYC = 100)
Bucharest monthly
$1,334
Index 21 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-20%
Bucharest relative to Kraków
Rent gap
$200
Kraków costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

KrakówBucharest
  • Housing
    Housing: Kraków $800, Bucharest $600. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Food
    Food: Kraków $448, Bucharest $385. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Transport
    Transport: Kraków $71, Bucharest $45. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Kraków $155, Bucharest $134. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Kraków $16, Bucharest $17. Cheaper in Kraków.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Kraków $106, Bucharest $99. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Other
    Other: Kraków $64, Bucharest $54. 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

MetricKrakówBucharest
Cost
Total monthly cost1,660 USD1,334 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)2621✓
Housing800 USD600 USD✓
Utilities155 USD134 USD✓
Food448 USD385 USD✓
Transport71 USD45 USD✓
Healthcare16 USD✓17 USD
Lifestyle106 USD99 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,360 USD4,583 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate47.7%45.0%✓
Left over each month2,700 USD3,249 USD✓
Average local net salary1,450 USD✓1,200 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre800 USD600 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,450 USD1,100 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre2,900 USD2,400 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety82/100✓74/100
Healthcare74/100✓62/100
Air quality44/10046/100✓
Public transport80/100✓78/100
Walkability88/100✓72/100
English proficiency64/100✓60/100
Nightlife86/10086/100
Family friendliness82/100✓70/100
Median broadband175 Mbps260 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature9°C✓12°C
Summer high26°C✓30°C
Winter low-5°C-4°C✓
Sunshine hours per year1,600 h2,120 h✓
Annual rainfall680 mm600 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach accessNone nearbyNone nearby
CurrencyPLNRON
Time zoneEurope/WarsawEurope/Bucharest

Bucharest runs about 20% cheaper than Kraków for this household, a difference of 326 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in KrakówCost of living in BucharestConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Kraków vs TallinnKraków vs SplitKraków vs Warsaw
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Kraków or Bucharest cheaper?

Bucharest runs about 20% cheaper than Kraków for this household, a difference of 326 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Bucharest compared with Kraków?

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

Which has better quality of life, Kraków or Bucharest?

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