🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,059 in Veliky Novgorod versus $1,437 in Bielsko-biala.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,663 in Veliky Novgorod versus $2,149 in Bielsko-biala.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,268 in Veliky Novgorod versus $2,861 in Bielsko-biala.
🌍Living in Veliky Novgorod costs roughly 26% less than in Bielsko-biala, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Veliky Novgorod is 21% below, Bielsko-biala is 8% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Veliky Novgorod
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.36₽735
$9.97zł 37.86
-6.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.22₽3,864
$46.78zł 178
5.22%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.64₽443
$8.12zł 30.83
-30.54%
Cappuccino
$2.49₽195
$3.57zł 13.57
-30.25%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.12₽87.9
$0.97zł 3.68
15.46%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.58₽45.81
$1.20zł 4.55
-51.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.87₽147
$3.32zł 12.63
-43.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.52₽198
$3.56zł 13.53
-29.21%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Veliky Novgorod
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.17₽92.2
$1.03zł 3.92
13.59%
White Bread(500g)
$0.89₽69.6
$1.24zł 4.72
-28.23%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.59₽125
$1.21zł 4.60
31.40%
Eggs
$1.86₽146
$3.02zł 11.49
-38.41%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.39₽973
$8.75zł 33.22
41.60%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.75₽295
$6.97zł 26.48
-46.20%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.56₽829
$10.85zł 41.21
-2.67%
Apples(1kg)
$1.69₽133
$1.15zł 4.38
46.96%
Banana(1kg)
$1.24₽97.3
$1.79zł 6.81
-30.73%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.96₽154
$2.01zł 7.62
-2.49%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.41₽267
$2.69zł 10.22
26.77%
Potato(1kg)
$0.84₽66.0
$0.90zł 3.41
-6.67%
Onion(1kg)
$0.64₽49.87
$0.84zł 3.18
-23.81%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.30₽102
$1.06zł 4.02
22.64%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79₽61.9
$0.60zł 2.26
31.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.92₽229
$4.62zł 17.55
-36.80%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.60₽518
$6.73zł 25.57
-1.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.06₽83.2
$1.20zł 4.56
-11.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06₽162
$1.88zł 7.16
9.57%
🚌 Getting Around
Veliky Novgorod
Bielsko-biala
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.48₽37.89
$1.14zł 4.33
-57.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$35.61₽2,795
$29.81zł 113
19.46%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.24₽97.2
$1.54zł 5.83
-19.48%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.59₽46.44
$0.51zł 1.94
15.69%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.82₽614
$10.15zł 38.54
-22.96%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.71₽56.1
$1.75zł 6.64
-59.43%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.7K₽3.0M
$33.9Kzł 128.8K
13.98%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$37.7K₽3.0M
$29.8Kzł 113.1K
26.59%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Veliky Novgorod
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$131₽10.3K
$331zł 1,257
-60.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.77₽531
$8.38zł 31.83
-19.21%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.06₽554
$17.13zł 65.1
-58.79%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Veliky Novgorod
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$31.32₽2,459
$30.84zł 117
1.56%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$16.07zł 61.0
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.61₽440
$6.71zł 25.49
-16.39%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Veliky Novgorod
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$390₽30.6K
$276zł 1,050
41.22%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,507₽746.2K
$2,594zł 9,852
266.50%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Veliky Novgorod
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$101₽7,904
$93.6zł 355
7.62%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$54.9₽4,312
$30.90zł 117
77.77%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$113₽8,893
$74.6zł 283
51.82%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$133₽10.5K
$96.7zł 367
37.67%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Veliky Novgorod
Bielsko-biala
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$442₽34.7K
$702zł 2,668
-37.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$310₽24.4K
$485zł 1,841
-36.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$769₽60.4K
$2,216zł 8,415
-65.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$510₽40.0K
$945zł 3,591
-46.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,652₽129.7K
$2,408zł 9,145
-31.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,286₽101.0K
$2,058zł 7,817
-37.51%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Veliky Novgorod
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$769₽60.4K
$1,386zł 5,265
-44.50%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
24.95
6.3
296.03%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Veliky Novgorod: July 13, 2026
Last update for Bielsko-biala: July 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $442 in Veliky Novgorod and $702 in Bielsko-biala. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bielsko-biala pays 80% 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 Veliky Novgorod vs $47.00 in Bielsko-biala. Groceries flip the comparison at $204 vs $210, with Veliky Novgorod cheaper for home cooking.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Veliky Novgorod vs Bielsko-biala: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Veliky Novgorod and in Bielsko-biala?
Veliky Novgorod and Bielsko-biala differ by about 36% in total monthly costs ($1,059 vs $1,437 including rent). Veliky Novgorod is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 80% lower in Bielsko-biala. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Veliky Novgorod and in Bielsko-biala?
Rent for a central apartment: $442 in Veliky Novgorod versus $702 in Bielsko-biala. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Veliky Novgorod and in Bielsko-biala?
A monthly transit pass in Veliky Novgorod runs roughly 19% less than in Bielsko-biala. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Veliky Novgorod and Bielsko-biala?
Childcare runs $390 in Veliky Novgorod versus $276 in Bielsko-biala. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,059 in Veliky Novgorod versus $1,437 in Bielsko-biala, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Veliky Novgorod but tight or insufficient in Bielsko-biala. The gap between the two cities makes Veliky Novgorod the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Veliky Novgorod and Bielsko-biala?
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.
Is Veliky Novgorod or Bielsko-biala safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Veliky Novgorod and Bielsko-biala are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Veliky Novgorod or Bielsko-biala?
Expats usually find Veliky Novgorod gentler on the wallet – expenses run 36% less than in Bielsko-biala. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Veliky Novgorod vs other spots: cost of living compared