✦ Cost of living
Warsaw
Warsaw, Poland
US = 100
In plain terms: Warsaw is about 28% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $900/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing72−28%
- Food & groceries70−30%
- Transport55−45%
- Utilities100−0%
- Healthcare65−35%
- Goods & services74−26%
Is Warsaw expensive?
No — Warsaw indexes at 72 against a US average of 100, about 28% below it. Rent is the line that moves most, and a US or Western European salary stretches noticeably further here.
Of the 87 cities we track, Warsaw ranks #69 by overall cost — 18 of them are cheaper.
What a month in Warsaw costs
One person
$1,940/mo
A one-bedroom outside the centre, modest everyday spending.
Couple
$2,800/mo
A one-bedroom in the centre, two adults sharing the bills.
Family of four
$4,880/mo
A three-bedroom in the centre, two adults and two children.
| Monthly line | One person | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $650 | $900 | $1,700 |
| Food & groceries | $320 | $470 | $780 |
| Transport | $330 | $480 | $810 |
| Utilities | $200 | $300 | $500 |
| Healthcare | $180 | $270 | $450 |
| Goods & services | $260 | $380 | $640 |
| Total per month | $1,940 | $2,800 | $4,880 |
Estimates, not quotes. Rent comes from this city's own figures; every other line is a US-average household basket (shaped by the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey) scaled by this city's category index. Your own total moves with the neighbourhood, your habits and whether you run a car. How we calculate these figures →
Good to know before you move to Warsaw
Central Europe's fastest-rising business hub — modern, safe and affordable, with cold winters.
- Currency
- Polish złoty (zł PLN)
- Languages
- Polish
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Internet
- 150 Mbps
- English
- Fairly common
- Safety
- 68/100
- Climate
- ❄ -2°C · ☀ 19°C · 90 sunny days/yr
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Power
- E · 230V
- Driving
- Right-hand side
- Popular areas
- Śródmieście · Praga · Mokotów
About
Central Europe's fastest-rising business hub — modern, safe and affordable, with cold winters.
- Currency
- Polish złoty · PLN
- Languages
- Polish
- Coordinates
- 52.23, 21.01
- Emergency
- 112
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
32%
Income tax
progressive
23%
VAT / sales
19%
Corporate
19%
Capital gains
$1,200
Avg net salary
per month
Plus 4% solidarity levy on high incomes.
Visas & residency
Type A work permit and EU Blue Card; part of Schengen.
✈ Schengen 90/180 for many passports.
Permanent residence after ~5 yrs. Citizenship after ~3 yrs.
Quality of life
Quality of life
67/100
Safety
68/100
Healthcare
72/100
Pollution
55/100
Internet
150 Mbps
Jan avg
-2 °C
Jul avg
+19 °C
Sunny days
90/yr
Walkability
80/100
Public transit
82/100
Family-friendly
68/100
Living there
- English spoken
- Moderate
- Expat community
- Medium
- Coworking spaces
- 50
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Minimum wage (EU + Türkiye): Eurostat earn_mw_cur, 2026-S2 · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
Can you live in Warsaw without a car?
81/100
Car-free score
80/100
Walkability
82/100
Public transport
Yes — Warsaw scores 81/100 on our car-free score, so commuting, errands and nights out all work on foot or by public transport. Most residents here can skip car ownership entirely, and the savings go straight into the rest of the budget.
Transport in Warsaw indexes at 55 against a US average of 100 — about 45% cheaper than a typical US city. That line covers fares, fuel and running a vehicle, so it is the one that moves most when you drop the car.
Warsaw ranks #25 of 87 cities we track for walkability. See the most walkable cities →
The car-free score is our own composite: 60% walkability, 40% public transport, both on a 0–100 scale. Like the rest of our quality-of-life figures, they are calibrated estimates, not official statistics.
Cost of living in Warsaw — in your currency
- 1-bed rent, city centre$900
- 1-bed rent, outside centre$650
- Inexpensive meal$8
- Monthly transit pass$30
- Utilities (monthly)$200
Converted from USD at approximate rates (2026-09).
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? Frequently asked questions
Is Warsaw, PL expensive to live in?
Warsaw, PL's cost-of-living index is 72 (US average = 100) — about 28% cheaper than a typical US city — and it ranks #69 of the 87 cities we track. On our estimates one person needs around $1,940 a month and a family of four around $4,880, rent included.
How much does it cost to live in Warsaw, PL?
Warsaw, PL's cost-of-living index is 72 (US average = 100) — about 28% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $900 per month.
What are the average living costs in Warsaw, PL?
Living costs in Warsaw, PL are about 28% cheaper than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 72 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $900. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Warsaw, PL?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $900 per month, and around $650 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in Poland?
Poland has a top income-tax rate of 32% and a VAT or sales tax of 23%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Warsaw, PL?
Warsaw, PL averages around -2 °C in January and +19 °C in July, with roughly 90 sunny days a year.
Is Warsaw, PL safe?
Warsaw, PL scores 68 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
Can you live in Warsaw, PL without a car?
Warsaw, PL scores 81/100 on our car-free score — 80/100 for walkability and 82/100 for public transport. The higher the score, the more of daily life you can cover on foot or by transit instead of paying to run a car.
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★ Ranked in
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.