Poland🇵🇱

At a Glance

How Poland compares across key indices

Quality of Life159Safety71Healthcare58Affordability45Climate76Clean Air55

Cost of Living

45 vs NYC

100 = NYC

Safety Index

71/100

Healthcare

58/100

Quality of Life

159/200

Climate

76/100

Cost of Living

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

Monthly costs range from $1,434 in Katowice to $2,093 in Warsaw

City Costs Comparison

Katowice

Cheapest

$1,434/mo

Food$126

Szczecin

$1,446/mo

Food$131

Lodz

$1,466/mo

Food$146

Poznan

$1,680/mo

Food$143

Gdynia

$1,725/mo

Food$141

Krakow (Cracow)

$1,806/mo

Food$150

Wroclaw

$1,807/mo

Food$155

Gdansk

$1,817/mo

Food$150

See all 9 cities below

Safety & Crime

Low Risk

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

Walking Safety

Daytime84
Nighttime63

21 point drop from day to night

Problem Severity

Property crimes
Low40
Corruption & bribery
Low40
Drug-related crime
Low28
Violent crimes
Very Low18

0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem

What Residents Worry About

Being insulted or harassed
Low32
Things stolen from car
Low29
Targeted for skin/ethnicity/religion
Low29
Being physically attacked
Low28
Home broken into
Very Low24
Being mugged or robbed
Very Low24
Car stolen
Very Low24

Based on 2,782 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.

Cities in Poland

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.

💸Most Affordable

Katowice

$1,434/mo

Safest

Krakow (Cracow)

75/100

Best Quality of Life

Poznan

160/200

Best Healthcare

Lodz

59/100

CityMonthly CostSafetyQuality of LifeHealthcarePollution
Katowice$1,434
Szczecin$1,446
Lodz$1,46662/100153/20059/10057
Poznan$1,68072/100160/20058/10059
Gdynia$1,725
Krakow (Cracow)$1,80675/100150/20058/10070
Wroclaw$1,80775/100154/20058/10062
Gdansk$1,81769/100155/20051/10052
Warsaw$2,09375/100156/20058/10060

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

Healthcare system overview for Poland

Healthcare Index

58/100

Quality Breakdown

Modern Equipment68/100
Staff Skill & Competency59/100
Accuracy & Completeness59/100
Friendliness & Courtesy54/100
Speed of Service52/100
Responsiveness & Waitlist36/100
Cost Satisfaction61/100

How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality

Based on 799 survey responses

Insurance Coverage

Public
55.4%
Employer Sponsored
28.9%
Private
13.5%
None
2.1%
Healthcare58Safety71Quality of Life159
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Environment

Moderate

Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Poland

Pollution Index

55/100

Lower is better

Environmental Quality

Drinking Water Quality70/100
Green Spaces & Parks67/100
Garbage Disposal64/100
Clean & Tidy63/100
Comfortable to Spend Time53/100
Air Quality41/100

Concerns

Noise & Light Pollution47/100
Water Pollution35/100

0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern

Based on 1,429 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.

Transport & Commute

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

How People Commute

Car34.2%
Walking18.6%
Bus/Trolleybus17.6%
Tram/Streetcar9.9%
Bicycle7.2%
Train/Metro6.6%
Working from Home5.4%
Motorcycle0.6%

Based on 842 survey responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living in Poland, answered with data

What is the cost of living in Poland?

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.

What is the cheapest city in Poland for expats?

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.

Is Poland safe for expats?

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.

What is the best city in Poland for expats and digital nomads?

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.

How good is healthcare in Poland?

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.

Is Poland cheaper than the United States?

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.

Before You Go

Your pre-departure checklist for Poland

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