Whether you find yourself amidst the beauty of Lazienki Park in Warsaw or exploring the historic 13-th century Wieliczka Salt Mines, Poland is a fantastic place to live. Beyond the tourist attractions, the country has a rich cultural history and a rapidly developing modern economy.
There are lots of reasons to live in Poland. But the big question is, how much does it cost?
Elevated inflation has persisted in Poland since 2019. And the pandemic has mounted pressure on the Polish economy, meaning there has been a rise in how much it costs to buy basic goods and services for people living in Poland.
In this blog we’ll explore the cost of living in Poland, how living expenses compare to those in other countries and how you can transfer money to Poland.
What is the average cost of living in Poland?
Is Poland expensive? According to Salary Explorer, a person working in Poland earns on average around 7,560 PLN per month. In 2021, this is equivalent to just under $2000 or just over £1400. In general salaries range from 1,910 PLN to 33,800 PLN across Poland. This average monthly salary takes into account housing, transport and other benefits.
Salaries vary quite drastically between careers. Residents of major cities are often able to secure more lucrative jobs. On the other hand, the costs are usually higher in major cities like Warsaw and Kraków. Unfortunately, salaries don’t often stay in line with the costs as a result of inflation. So what is the cost of living in Poland?
As a percentage of their monthly income, the average Polish household spends around:
- 28.8% on rent
- 27.9% on food and groceries
- 12.3% eating out at restaurants
- 11.6% on transportation
- 8.9% on utilities
- 5.7% on sports and leisure
- 4.9% on clothing and shoes
Numbeo estimates that in 2021, the monthly cost of living for a family of four is 7,631zł (Zloty: the currency of Poland) without rent. And for a single person the estimated monthly costs come to around 426zł without rent.
On the cost of living index Gdansk comes out as the most expensive city in Poland to live in. It is closely followed by the capital Warsaw, and other major cities like Gdynia and Kraków. Some of the least expensive cities to live in Poland include Lublin, Rzeszow and Bialystok.
While the number of opportunities in cities like Warsaw and Gdansk outweigh those in Lublin or Bialystok, day-to-day life is also more pricey. So there is plenty to consider before deciding on where you’d like to live in Poland.
The cost of living in Poland compared to other countries
If you’re thinking about moving to Poland and you’re worried about the cost of living, it helps to know how Poland compares to other countries.
On average, the cost of living in Poland is 40% lower than in the United Kingdom. However, the local purchasing power in the United Kingdom is 80% higher. Meaning that although the cost of living in Poland is relatively low, your money doesn’t go as far in the long term.
|
Poland |
Czech Republic |
USA |
UK |
|
|
Average monthly salary |
7,560 zł ($1969) |
26,896 ($1254) |
$3,664 |
1,950 ($4272.10) |
|
Estimated monthly costs for a family of four |
7,631zł ($1990) |
47,378 ($2209) |
$4,611 |
3,632 ($5,132) |
|
Estimated monthly costs for a single person |
2,280.14zł ($594.58)
|
14075 ($656.41) |
$2,602 |
2,034 ($2,875) |
|
A litre of milk |
2.71zł ($0.71) |
18.92 ($0.88) |
$0.88 |
0.82 ($1.16) |
|
12 eggs |
8.60zł ($2.24) |
41.05 ($1.91) |
$2.94 |
2.48 ($3.50) |
|
A beer at a bar |
3.43zł ($0.89) |
17.19($0.80) |
$5.81 |
4.60 ($7) |
Comparing Poland to both the UK and the US, we can see that the cost of living is considerably lower in Poland. In 2021, consumer prices in the United States are 65.44% higher than in Poland (without rent). Similarly, rent prices in the United States are 112.67% higher than in Poland.
A cost of living comparison with another European country like the Czech Republic is also quite revealing. Consumer prices in the Czech Republic are 14.25% higher than in Poland (without rent). And while rent prices in the Czech Republic are 4.79% lower than in Poland, the costs of eating out or buying groceries are higher in the Czech Republic.
So how cheap is Poland, compared to these other countries? In general the cost of living in Poland and the Czech Republic is quite similar, and in both countries the estimated living costs sit below the average salary. The cost of living in the US or UK is significantly higher than in Poland but the average monthly salary is also much higher.
Poland’s economy seems relatively stable however the pressures of the pandemic have caused inflation to rise. If this continues it will be harder for the average family to afford the basic goods and services.
One of the ways to support your loved ones or contacts living in Poland is to send them money. When you transfer funds overseas and provide financial support to family and friends they will be able to afford the goods and services they need to live. And today it is easier than ever to provide this support.
Additionally, in 2020 the Polish central bank cut interest rates to almost zero in an attempt to support the country's economy as it struggled with the impact of COVID-19. These lower interest rates in Poland have encouraged more money transfers to Poland. This means that whether you are making an investment in a business in Poland or sending money to loved ones, now could be the best time to send money to Poland.
How to send money to Poland
Small World is an international money transfer service. We have facilitated easy money transfers to Poland for many years. We offer you two ways to send money to Poland:
- Bank deposit
- Cash pickup
We work with a number of banks in Poland including Bank Polski, Bank Pekao, Bank Zachodni WBK, ING and mBank to ensure it is quick, convenient and safe to transfer funds to Poland. So if you want an easy way to support your loved ones, choose Small World!
Your first transfer online to Poland is always fee-free!
