😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,738 in Krakow versus $1,401 in Ostrow Wielkopolski.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,487 in Krakow versus $2,055 in Ostrow Wielkopolski.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,236 in Krakow versus $2,709 in Ostrow Wielkopolski.
😐Living in Krakow is roughly 24% more expensive than Ostrow Wielkopolski, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Krakow30% above, Ostrow Wielkopolski5% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Krakow
Ostrow Wielkopolski
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.66zł 38.87
$10.65zł 38.82
0.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$55.2zł 201
$42.13zł 154
30.95%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.30zł 33.92
$9.32zł 33.99
-0.21%
Cappuccino
$4.03zł 14.71
$3.51zł 12.80
14.81%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22zł 8.08
$1.95zł 7.12
13.85%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22zł 8.10
$1.89zł 6.89
17.46%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.03zł 14.70
$3.27zł 11.93
23.24%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.16zł 15.16
$3.19zł 11.63
30.41%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Krakow
Ostrow Wielkopolski
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10zł 4.01
$1.04zł 3.78
5.77%
White Bread(500g)
$1.45zł 5.27
$1.62zł 5.92
-10.49%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.47zł 5.37
$1.50zł 5.47
-2.00%
Eggs
$3.75zł 13.67
$3.12zł 11.38
20.19%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.05zł 33.00
$10.47zł 38.17
-13.56%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.37zł 23.23
$6.38zł 23.26
-0.16%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.55zł 42.12
$10.86zł 39.61
6.35%
Apples(1kg)
$1.25zł 4.55
$1.00zł 3.65
25.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.81zł 6.62
$1.67zł 6.08
8.38%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.80zł 6.55
$1.76zł 6.42
2.27%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.13zł 11.42
$3.11zł 11.34
0.64%
Potato(1kg)
$1.05zł 3.82
$1.00zł 3.65
5.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.01zł 3.69
$0.96zł 3.50
5.21%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.36zł 4.95
$1.28zł 4.67
6.25%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66zł 2.42
$0.62zł 2.27
6.45%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.48zł 19.99
$5.51zł 20.09
-0.54%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.84zł 24.93
$7.06zł 25.73
-3.12%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.23zł 4.50
$1.09zł 3.97
12.84%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.76zł 6.43
$1.81zł 6.60
-2.76%
🚌 Getting Around
Krakow
Ostrow Wielkopolski
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.10zł 4.02
$1.11zł 4.04
-0.90%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$39.51zł 144
$32.31zł 118
22.28%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.51zł 9.14
$2.13zł 7.78
17.84%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.02zł 3.70
$0.59zł 2.15
72.88%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$12.91zł 47.07
$10.88zł 39.66
18.66%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.72zł 6.26
$1.77zł 6.44
-2.82%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.0Kzł 120.3K
$33.9Kzł 123.7K
-2.72%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.4Kzł 114.4K
$29.7Kzł 108.2K
5.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Krakow
Ostrow Wielkopolski
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$270zł 985
$246zł 897
9.78%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.39zł 34.23
$8.47zł 30.88
10.86%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.80zł 61.3
$15.06zł 54.9
11.55%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Krakow
Ostrow Wielkopolski
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.23zł 143
$36.38zł 133
7.83%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.83zł 83.2
$19.22zł 70.1
18.78%
Cinema Ticket
$8.22zł 29.96
$5.56zł 20.29
47.84%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Krakow
Ostrow Wielkopolski
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$446zł 1,626
$316zł 1,153
41.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.3Kzł 48.5K
$10.8Kzł 39.6K
22.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Krakow
Ostrow Wielkopolski
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.8zł 284
$89.9zł 328
-13.54%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.83zł 163
$36.33zł 132
23.40%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.5zł 363
$98.7zł 360
0.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111zł 407
$95.3zł 348
16.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Krakow
Ostrow Wielkopolski
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$908zł 3,310
$644zł 2,347
40.98%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$768zł 2,799
$490zł 1,787
56.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,585zł 5,780
$980zł 3,575
61.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,189zł 4,335
$825zł 3,007
44.14%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,925zł 21.6K
$1,807zł 6,590
227.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,808zł 13.9K
$1,638zł 5,973
132.49%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Krakow
Ostrow Wielkopolski
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,961zł 7,151
$1,664zł 6,068
17.84%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.77
6.92
12.28%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Krakow: June 2, 2026
Last update for Ostrow Wielkopolski: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $908 in Krakow and $644 in Ostrow Wielkopolski. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Krakow pays 18% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $55.0 in Krakow vs $42.00 in Ostrow Wielkopolski for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $222 vs $219 per month, with Ostrow Wielkopolski cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Krakow vs Ostrow Wielkopolski: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Krakow or Ostrow Wielkopolski?
Ostrow Wielkopolski wins on cost – living expenses run 24% lower than in Krakow. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Ostrow Wielkopolski the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Krakow or Ostrow Wielkopolski?
Krakow pays 18% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Krakow vs Ostrow Wielkopolski?
Rent for a central apartment: $908 in Krakow versus $644 in Ostrow Wielkopolski. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Krakow or Ostrow Wielkopolski?
Supermarket bills run roughly 1% higher in Krakow. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How do dining costs compare in Krakow vs Ostrow Wielkopolski?
Dining out is cheaper in Ostrow Wielkopolski – a meal for two runs $42.00 versus $55.0 in Krakow. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Krakow or Ostrow Wielkopolski?
At $1,401 in Ostrow Wielkopolski versus $1,738 in Krakow, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ostrow Wielkopolski but tight or insufficient in Krakow. The gap between the two cities makes Ostrow Wielkopolski the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Krakow or Ostrow Wielkopolski?
Both work as nomad bases, but Ostrow Wielkopolski delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,401 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Ostrow Wielkopolski hard to pass up.
How safe is Krakow compared to Ostrow Wielkopolski?
Safety-wise, Krakow and Ostrow Wielkopolski are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Ostrow Wielkopolski gentler on the wallet – expenses run 24% less than in Krakow. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.