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Kraków vs Warsaw

Kraków runs about 16% cheaper than Warsaw for this household, a difference of 270 USD a month.

Kraków - Main Market Square
Kraków
$1,660/month · Poland
Andrzej Otrębski · CC BY-SA 4.0
Aleja Rzeczypospolitej w Warszawie, widok od południa, na pierwszym planie Świątynia Opatrzności Bożej.
Warsaw
$1,930/month · Poland
Emptywords · CC BY-SA 4.0
Kraków monthly
$1,660
Index 26 (NYC = 100)
Warsaw monthly
$1,930
Index 30 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+16%
Warsaw relative to Kraków
Rent gap
$200
Warsaw costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

KrakówWarsaw
  • Housing
    Housing: Kraków $800, Warsaw $1,000. Cheaper in Kraków.
  • Food
    Food: Kraków $448, Warsaw $485. Cheaper in Kraków.
  • Transport
    Transport: Kraków $71, Warsaw $77. Cheaper in Kraków.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Kraków $155, Warsaw $168. Cheaper in Kraków.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Kraków $16, Warsaw $18. Cheaper in Kraków.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Kraków $106, Warsaw $114. Cheaper in Kraków.
  • Other
    Other: Kraków $64, Warsaw $69. Cheaper in Kraków.
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

MetricKrakówWarsaw
Cost
Total monthly cost1,660 USD✓1,930 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)26✓30
Housing800 USD✓1,000 USD
Utilities155 USD✓168 USD
Food448 USD✓485 USD
Transport71 USD✓77 USD
Healthcare16 USD✓18 USD
Lifestyle106 USD✓114 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,360 USD4,360 USD
Effective tax + social rate47.7%47.7%
Left over each month2,700 USD✓2,430 USD
Average local net salary1,450 USD1,500 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre800 USD✓1,000 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,450 USD✓1,800 USD
Buy price per m², centre2,900 USD✓3,200 USD
Quality of life
Safety82/100✓80/100
Healthcare74/10074/100
Air quality44/10058/100✓
Public transport80/10088/100✓
Walkability88/100✓84/100
English proficiency64/10066/100✓
Nightlife86/100✓84/100
Family friendliness82/100✓80/100
Median broadband175 Mbps180 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature9°C9°C
Summer high26°C25°C✓
Winter low-5°C-4°C✓
Sunshine hours per year1,600 h1,670 h✓
Annual rainfall680 mm530 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach accessNone nearbyNone nearby
CurrencyPLNPLN
Time zoneEurope/WarsawEurope/Warsaw

Kraków runs about 16% cheaper than Warsaw for this household, a difference of 270 USD a month.

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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Kraków or Warsaw cheaper?

Kraków runs about 16% cheaper than Warsaw for this household, a difference of 270 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Warsaw compared with Kraków?

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

Which has better quality of life, Kraków or Warsaw?

Kraków scores 82/100 on safety and 74/100 on healthcare; Warsaw scores 80 and 74. Kraków averages 9°C against 9°C in Warsaw.