General information

In large Polish cities such as Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, Poznań, and Gdańsk, living costs are significantly higher than in smaller towns or rural areas. This is mainly influenced by:

• Location – apartments in or near city centers, close to public transport, universities, or business districts, are much more expensive.

• Housing standard – modern buildings, better finishes, full furnishings, parking, elevators, and proximity to shops all increase rent prices.

• Additional costs – utilities (electricity, heating, water, gas, internet) and administrative fees are often not included in the base rent and can raise the total monthly cost considerably.

Although food in Poland remains cheaper than in most Western European countries, its share in the household budget is rising. Inflation and higher energy costs are driving up prices of nearly all basic goods. Public transport has also become more expensive, particularly affecting those who commute daily to work or school.

Example Rental Prices (2025)

Below are typical monthly rental prices in Poland’s major cities, based on current data from Polish real estate sources:

In Poland, staff accommodations (worker’s dormitories) are also commonly available​

These accommodations typically offer shared rooms with multiple beds, providing affordable lodging options forforeign workers.​

Estimated prices per person

Room type​	Daily rate​	Weekly rate​	Monthly rate​
5–6 bed shared room​	17–25 PLN​	120–175 PLN​	500–750 PLN​
3–4 bed shared room​	25–30 PLN​	175–210 PLN​	700–900 PLN​
2-bed room​	35–45 PLN​	245–315 PLN​	1,000–1,300 PLN​

kwatery pracownicze - Warszawa - sprawdź kategorię Noclegi

Food and Transport Costs

The average monthly spending on food for one person in Poland ranges from 900 to 1,300 PLN, depending onlifestyle, location, and shopping preferences.​

• In larger cities like Warsaw, Krakow, or Wroclaw, this amount can be higher, around 1,000 to 1,500 PLN per month.​

Typical Prices of Basic Food Items (2025)​​

• Bread (1 loaf): 3.50–7.00 PLN​
• Milk (1 liter): 4 PLN​
• Eggs (10 pieces): 10–12 PLN​
• Pasta (1 kg): 7–9 PLN​
• Chicken breast (1 kg): 17–22 PLN​
• Apples (1 kg): 5–6 PLN​
• Coffee (250 g): 14–18 PLN​
• Potatoes (1 kg): 2.50–4.00 PLN​

Prices may vary depending on the region and place of purchase, with the lowest prices typically found inlarge discount stores.

Cena: pieczywo - historia cen produktu a inflacja - Koszyk Cenowy Dlahandlu.pl​

• Public transport costs are also rising — according to Poland’s Central Statistical Office (GUS), about 59.8% of households used public transportation at least once in the past 12 months, and 24.2% said its costs were “noticeably heavy” on their budget. (biznes.pap.pl)

Average Monthly Living Costs for One Person in Poland according to the Central Statistical Office (Główny Urząd Statystyczny )​

• Average monthly expenses per person reached 1,878 PLN in 2024.​
• Expenses on consumer goods and services amounted to 1,814 PLN.​

​Total estimated monthly cost of living per person as of year 2025: approx. 2,700 – 5,000 PLN

Category​	Estimated Cost (PLN)​
Rent (room/apartment)​	1,000 – 3,000 PLN (worker's dormitories are cheaper)​
Utilities and Internet​	400 – 800 PLN (additional costs when renting a room/apartment)​
Food​	900 – 1,300 PLN​
Transportation​	150 – 300 PLN (cost of 1 ticket for public transport – from 3.40 PLN up to 9 PLN depending on time of travel and city) Ceny i rodzaje biletów – Warszawski Transport Publiczny​
Other expenses (clothing, cleaning supplies, entertainment)​	300 – 600 PLN​

Jakie są koszty życia w Polsce? - HR Love

Conclusions

• In large cities, the average rent takes up a significant part of people’s income — Warsaw remains the most expensive city in Poland. (nieruchomosci.infor.pl)

• For many households, renting a two-room apartment in an average district means spending around 30–40% of their net income, or even more once utilities are included.

• Although food and transportation are still cheaper than in Western Europe, the pace of inflation and rising energy prices is steadily increasing the share of these expenses in household budgets.