Skip to content

Warsaw vs Bucharest

Bucharest runs about 31% cheaper than Warsaw for this household, a difference of 601 USD a month.

Aleja Rzeczypospolitej w Warszawie, widok od południa, na pierwszym planie Świątynia Opatrzności Bożej.
Warsaw
$1,932/month · Poland
Emptywords · CC BY-SA 4.0
Floreasca business district in Bucharest, Romania, as seen from Lake Herăstrău.
Bucharest
$1,331/month · Romania
Madalin Pentelie · CC0
Warsaw monthly
$1,932
Index 30 (NYC = 100)
Bucharest monthly
$1,331
Index 21 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-31%
Bucharest relative to Warsaw
Rent gap
$400
Warsaw costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

WarsawBucharest
  • Housing
    Housing: Warsaw $1,000, Bucharest $600. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Food
    Food: Warsaw $485, Bucharest $385. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Transport
    Transport: Warsaw $77, Bucharest $45. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Warsaw $170, Bucharest $131. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Warsaw $18, Bucharest $17. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Warsaw $114, Bucharest $99. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Other
    Other: Warsaw $69, 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

MetricWarsawBucharest
Cost
Total monthly cost1,932 USD1,331 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)3021✓
Housing1,000 USD600 USD✓
Utilities170 USD131 USD✓
Food485 USD385 USD✓
Transport77 USD45 USD✓
Healthcare18 USD17 USD✓
Lifestyle114 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 month2,428 USD3,253 USD✓
Average local net salary1,500 USD✓1,200 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,000 USD600 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,800 USD1,100 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre3,200 USD2,400 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety80/100✓74/100
Healthcare74/100✓62/100
Air quality58/100✓46/100
Public transport88/100✓78/100
Walkability84/100✓72/100
English proficiency66/100✓60/100
Nightlife84/10086/100✓
Family friendliness80/100✓70/100
Median broadband180 Mbps260 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature9°C✓12°C
Summer high25°C✓30°C
Winter low-4°C-4°C
Sunshine hours per year1,670 h2,120 h✓
Annual rainfall530 mm✓600 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach accessNone nearbyNone nearby
CurrencyPLNRON
Time zoneEurope/WarsawEurope/Bucharest

Bucharest runs about 31% cheaper than Warsaw for this household, a difference of 601 USD a month.

Next

Go deeper

Cost of living in WarsawCost of living in BucharestConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Warsaw vs PragueWarsaw vs KrakówWarsaw vs Tallinn
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Warsaw or Bucharest cheaper?

Bucharest runs about 31% cheaper than Warsaw for this household, a difference of 601 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Bucharest compared with Warsaw?

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

Which has better quality of life, Warsaw or Bucharest?

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