😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,405 in Szczecin versus $936 in Volgograd.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,031 in Szczecin versus $1,548 in Volgograd.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,657 in Szczecin versus $2,159 in Volgograd.
🌍Living in Szczecin is roughly 50% more expensive than in Volgograd, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Szczecin is 5% above, Volgograd is 30% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Szczecin
Volgograd
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.39zł 35.60
$10.17₽795
-7.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.78zł 185
$38.20₽2,985
27.70%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.52zł 32.29
$4.99₽390
70.74%
Cappuccino
$3.35zł 12.69
$1.94₽151
72.68%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85zł 7.00
$1.76₽137
5.11%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.42zł 5.37
$0.71₽55.1
100.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.29zł 12.46
$2.58₽202
27.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.19zł 12.09
$5.54₽433
-42.42%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Szczecin
Volgograd
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.96zł 3.65
$1.20₽93.7
-20.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.33zł 5.04
$0.75₽58.9
77.33%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.99zł 3.77
$1.81₽141
-45.30%
Eggs
$3.28zł 12.44
$1.70₽133
92.94%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.42zł 35.69
$12.21₽954
-22.85%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.36zł 24.10
$5.60₽438
13.57%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.98zł 49.18
$7.76₽607
67.27%
Apples(1kg)
$0.89zł 3.38
$1.89₽148
-52.91%
Banana(1kg)
$1.79zł 6.77
$1.71₽133
4.68%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.39zł 5.26
$3.09₽241
-55.02%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.15zł 8.15
$2.64₽206
-18.56%
Potato(1kg)
$0.89zł 3.39
$0.75₽58.3
18.67%
Onion(1kg)
$1.08zł 4.08
$0.77₽60.4
40.26%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.02zł 3.87
$1.85₽145
-44.86%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56zł 2.14
$0.66₽51.3
-15.15%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.40zł 20.45
$2.61₽204
106.90%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.41zł 24.30
$9.63₽752
-33.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.09zł 4.13
$0.73₽56.7
49.32%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.44zł 5.46
$2.61₽204
-44.83%
🚌 Getting Around
Szczecin
Volgograd
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79zł 3.01
$0.43₽33.51
83.72%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$27.49zł 104
$12.54₽979
119.22%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.15zł 8.13
$2.38₽186
-9.66%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.01zł 3.83
$0.33₽25.63
206.06%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.67zł 51.8
$6.43₽503
112.60%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.75zł 6.63
$0.81₽63.2
116.05%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.4Kzł 126.7K
$34.6K₽2.7M
-3.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.8Kzł 116.9K
$35.2K₽2.7M
-12.29%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Szczecin
Volgograd
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$257zł 974
$89.9₽7,022
185.93%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.70zł 40.56
$6.66₽521
60.66%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.65zł 66.9
$7.56₽590
133.47%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Szczecin
Volgograd
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.13zł 114
$16.81₽1,314
79.24%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.53zł 62.7
$18.91₽1,477
-12.59%
Cinema Ticket
$6.85zł 25.95
$4.33₽338
58.20%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Szczecin
Volgograd
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$376zł 1,424
$324₽25.3K
15.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,122zł 30.8K
$7,117₽556.0K
14.13%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Szczecin
Volgograd
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.9zł 216
$115₽8,991
-50.53%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.91zł 117
$31.78₽2,483
-2.74%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$74.2zł 281
$124₽9,724
-40.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$84.2zł 319
$127₽9,884
-33.49%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Szczecin
Volgograd
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$658zł 2,495
$289₽22.6K
127.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$527zł 1,999
$223₽17.4K
136.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$981zł 3,718
$764₽59.7K
28.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$817zł 3,097
$513₽40.1K
59.18%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,435zł 13.0K
$1,556₽121.6K
120.67%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,448zł 9,280
$1,292₽100.9K
89.49%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Szczecin
Volgograd
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,622zł 6,150
$500₽39.1K
224.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.36
12.67
-49.80%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Szczecin: July 14, 2026
Last update for Volgograd: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $658 in Szczecin and $289 in Volgograd. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Szczecin pays 224% 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: $49.00 in Szczecin vs $38.00 in Volgograd. Groceries flip the comparison at $207 vs $214, with Szczecin cheaper for home cooking.
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
Szczecin vs Volgograd: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Volgograd cheaper than Szczecin?
Volgograd is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 50% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Szczecin or Volgograd?
Average pay runs 224% higher in Szczecin, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Szczecin and Volgograd?
Rent for a central apartment: $658 in Szczecin versus $289 in Volgograd. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Szczecin and in Volgograd?
All in, you'll spend $1,405 per month in Szczecin versus $936 in Volgograd – a 50% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Volgograd runs roughly 119% less than in Szczecin. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Szczecin or in Volgograd?
At $936 in Volgograd versus $1,405 in Szczecin, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Volgograd but tight or insufficient in Szczecin. The gap between the two cities makes Volgograd the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Szczecin or in Volgograd?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is safer, Szczecin or Volgograd?
Safety-wise, Szczecin and Volgograd 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Volgograd gentler on the wallet – expenses run 50% less than in Szczecin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.