How much do you really need to earn in Poland to live without constantly saving money?

Living in Poland requires careful financial planning, as expenses vary significantly depending on the city and type of accommodation. Rent, food and transport make up the bulk of the monthly budget and determine how comfortable everyday life will be. Find out more about real costs, income levels and salaries that are sufficient for a comfortable life in Poland

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Moving to or living in Poland for an extended period of time almost always begins with one question: what salary is actually enough to live a normal life? Recently, analysts at Migrant.info.pl calculated the average cost of living in Poland, taking into account rent, food, transport and daily necessities.

In this article, we will examine how much you need to budget, why life in big cities is more expensive, and what income can be considered truly comfortable.

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Large cities in Poland: why is it more expensive to live here?

Warsaw, Krakow, Wrocław, Poznań and Gdańsk remain the most expensive cities to live in. These cities are home to the majority of jobs, universities and business centres, which directly affects prices.

Housing is the main financial pressure. Apartments closer to the centre or in areas with good public transport are significantly more expensive, and utility bills, internet and administrative fees are often added to the rent, which are not always included in the base price.

How much does it cost to rent accommodation in Poland?

In Warsaw, renting a studio or one-room apartment with an area of 25-35 m² in central or adjacent areas usually costs PLN 2,700-3,200 per month. Two-room flats (40–60 m²) cost PLN 4,300–5,000, and three-room flats in better areas or with a higher standard cost PLN 5,500–7,000 or more.

Prices in Krakow are slightly lower: studios and one-bedroom flats rent for an average of PLN 2,200-2,500, two-bedroom flats for around PLN 3,500, and three-bedroom flats in popular areas start at PLN 4,500 per month.

Wrocław remains close to Kraków in terms of cost. Here, a studio or one-room apartment costs PLN 2,400-2,800, a two-room apartment costs PLN 3,000-3,700, and a three-room apartment in central areas costs around PLN 5,000 and above.

In Poznań and Gdańsk, studio rentals usually range from PLN 2,000 to PLN 2,500, two-room apartments cost PLN 3,400 to PLN 3,800, and three-room apartments start at PLN 5,000, especially in the centre or in new residential complexes.

In our previous article, we mentioned that in 2026, the cost of renting accommodation in Poland is expected to increase.

A cheaper alternative: accommodation for workers in Poland

Many foreigners, especially at the beginning, choose dormitories or staff accommodation (kwatery pracownicze). This significantly reduces the cost of living.

A place in a shared room for 5-6 people costs PLN 500-750 per month, in a room for 3-4 people — PLN 700-900, and a double room costs approximately PLN 1,000-1,300 per month. This option allows you to save significantly, but is not always suitable for long-term living.

About restrictions on the employment of Ukrainian citizens in Poland, as well as where Ukrainians most often find work in Poland — read the links.

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Food costs in Poland: how much does food cost?

Even despite rising prices, Poland remains relatively affordable for food. On average, one person spends 900-1,300 zlotys per month on food, and in large cities — 1,000-1,500 zlotys, depending on lifestyle.

Basic products cost approximately as follows:

● bread — 3.50-7.00 zlotys;

● a litre of milk — about 4 zlotys;

● a dozen eggs — 10-12 zlotys;

● chicken fillet — 17-22 zlotys per kilogram;

● apples — 5-6 zlotys;

● coffee (250 g) — 14-18 zlotys.

The lowest prices are usually offered by large discount chains.

Transport and daily expenses in Poland

Monthly public transport costs in Poland average PLN 150-300. Single tickets cost from PLN 3.40 to PLN 9, depending on the city and type of travel.

Other mandatory expenses are added to this — clothing, household items, communications, and minimal leisure activities. These needs usually cost an additional 300-600 PLN per month.

What consular fees must be paid in Poland in 2026 — we explain at the link.

Total budget: how much money do you need per month in Poland?

If we add up all the main items of expenditure, the average monthly budget for one person in Poland looks like this:

● housing — from PLN 1,000 to PLN 3,000 (depending on the format);

● utilities and internet — PLN 400-800;

● food — PLN 900-1,300;

● transport — PLN 150-300;

● other expenses — PLN 300-600.

As a result, the total expenses amount to approximately PLN 2,700-5,000 per month. In large cities, this amount is often closer to the upper limit, especially if you rent a separate flat.

What is important for migrants to consider?

Even with sufficient income, much depends on legal status, type of residence permit and employment conditions. Mistakes with documents or the wrong type of permit can lead to loss of income or additional expenses.

The immigration lawyers at Visit Ukraine help you figure out how to legalise your stay and work in Poland so that your financial plans match the real conditions.

👉 Book a consultation to assess your options and avoid paperwork problems before they happen!

Reminder! The Polish labour market will undergo significant changes in 2026, particularly in terms of the minimum wage, available vacancies, internships and compensation. What new rules await employees in Poland — read more at the link.

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