How Poland compares across key indices
Cost of Living
45 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
71/100
Healthcare
58/100
Quality of Life
159/200
Climate
76/100
How far your money goes in Poland
Cost of Living
45
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
16
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
40
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
46
100 = NYC dining
$1,434/mo
$1,446/mo
$1,466/mo
$1,680/mo
$1,725/mo
$1,806/mo
$1,807/mo
$1,817/mo
How safe residents feel in Poland — based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
71/100
Crime Index
29/100
Lower is better
Crime Trend
43/100
Mixed perception
21 point drop from day to night
0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem
Based on 2,782 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.
Poland has 9 cities with Numbeo data. Monthly costs for a single person range from $1,434 in Katowice to $2,093 in Warsaw. Krakow (Cracow) leads on safety, scoring 75/100. Poznan ranks highest for quality of life at 160/200.
Katowice
$1,434/mo
Krakow (Cracow)
75/100
Poznan
160/200
Lodz
59/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katowice | $1,434 | — | — | — | — |
| Szczecin | $1,446 | — | — | — | — |
| Lodz | $1,466 | 62/100 | 153/200 | 59/100 | 57 |
| Poznan | $1,680 | 72/100 | 160/200 | 58/100 | 59 |
| Gdynia | $1,725 | — | — | — | — |
| Krakow (Cracow) | $1,806 | 75/100 | 150/200 | 58/100 | 70 |
| Wroclaw | $1,807 | 75/100 | 154/200 | 58/100 | 62 |
| Gdansk | $1,817 | 69/100 | 155/200 | 51/100 | 52 |
| Warsaw | $2,093 | 75/100 | 156/200 | 58/100 | 60 |
Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare system overview for Poland
Healthcare Index
58/100
How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality
Based on 799 survey responses
Real coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.
A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR
Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Poland
Pollution Index
55/100
Lower is better
0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern
Based on 1,429 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
How people get around in Poland
Average One-Way Commute
32minutes
Average
Traffic Index
114
Moderate congestion
Inefficiency
112
Time wasted in traffic
CO2 Emissions
3.2kg/trip
Based on 842 survey responses.
Common questions about living in Poland, answered with data
Poland has a cost of living index of 45 relative to New York City (100). It is moderately affordable compared to the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,434 in Katowice and reach $2,093 in Warsaw.
Katowice is the most affordable city in Poland with Numbeo data, with estimated monthly costs of $1,434 for a single person including rent. Szczecin is the next most affordable at $1,446/mo.
Poland has a safety index of 71/100, making it very safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Krakow (Cracow) scores highest on safety at 75/100.
Poznan ranks highest for quality of life in Poland, scoring 160/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $1,680/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Katowice offers the lowest monthly costs at $1,434/mo.
Poland scores 58/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it adequate by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.
Yes. Poland's cost of living is roughly 55% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 84% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
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