😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,703 in Wroclaw versus $1,405 in Szczecin.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,481 in Wroclaw versus $2,031 in Szczecin.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,258 in Wroclaw versus $2,657 in Szczecin.
🌍Living in Wroclaw is roughly 21% more expensive than in Szczecin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Wroclaw27% above, Szczecin5% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Wroclaw
Szczecin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.96zł 41.64
$9.39zł 35.68
16.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.3zł 202
$48.78zł 185
9.20%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.15zł 34.76
$8.52zł 32.36
7.39%
Cappuccino
$4.00zł 15.21
$3.35zł 12.72
19.40%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.82zł 6.92
$1.85zł 7.01
-1.62%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.43zł 5.42
$1.42zł 5.39
0.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.97zł 15.06
$3.29zł 12.48
20.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.08zł 15.50
$3.19zł 12.12
27.90%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Wroclaw
Szczecin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.99zł 3.75
$0.96zł 3.65
3.13%
White Bread(500g)
$1.34zł 5.09
$1.33zł 5.05
0.75%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.37zł 5.19
$0.99zł 3.77
38.38%
Eggs
$3.26zł 12.37
$3.28zł 12.46
-0.61%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.36zł 35.56
$9.42zł 35.76
-0.64%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.70zł 25.45
$6.36zł 24.15
5.35%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.62zł 47.92
$12.98zł 49.28
-2.77%
Apples(1kg)
$1.19zł 4.53
$0.89zł 3.39
33.71%
Banana(1kg)
$1.82zł 6.93
$1.79zł 6.78
1.68%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.04zł 7.75
$1.39zł 5.27
46.76%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.25zł 12.36
$2.15zł 8.17
51.16%
Potato(1kg)
$1.10zł 4.19
$0.89zł 3.40
23.60%
Onion(1kg)
$1.28zł 4.86
$1.08zł 4.09
18.52%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.30zł 4.93
$1.02zł 3.87
27.45%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70zł 2.66
$0.56zł 2.14
25.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.21zł 19.78
$5.40zł 20.49
-3.52%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.08zł 30.67
$6.41zł 24.35
26.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.30zł 4.94
$1.09zł 4.14
19.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.00zł 7.60
$1.44zł 5.47
38.89%
🚌 Getting Around
Wroclaw
Szczecin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.23zł 4.67
$0.79zł 3.01
55.70%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.50zł 112
$27.49zł 104
7.31%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.76zł 10.50
$2.15zł 8.15
28.37%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.85zł 3.21
$1.01zł 3.84
-15.84%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$10.71zł 40.67
$13.67zł 51.9
-21.65%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.74zł 6.60
$1.75zł 6.64
-0.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.9Kzł 128.9K
$33.4Kzł 126.9K
1.52%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.8Kzł 117.0K
$30.8Kzł 117.2K
-0.14%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Wroclaw
Szczecin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$324zł 1,231
$257zł 976
26.17%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.86zł 37.45
$10.70zł 40.64
-7.85%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.76zł 63.6
$17.65zł 67.1
-5.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Wroclaw
Szczecin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.13zł 137
$30.13zł 114
19.91%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.42zł 81.3
$16.53zł 62.8
29.58%
Cinema Ticket
$8.31zł 31.57
$6.85zł 26.00
21.31%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Wroclaw
Szczecin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$464zł 1,761
$376zł 1,427
23.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,404zł 35.7K
$8,122zł 30.8K
15.78%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Wroclaw
Szczecin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$76.8zł 292
$56.9zł 216
34.93%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.54zł 150
$30.91zł 117
27.92%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.8zł 341
$74.2zł 282
20.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.8zł 372
$84.2zł 320
16.24%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Wroclaw
Szczecin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$906zł 3,442
$658zł 2,500
37.68%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716zł 2,718
$527zł 2,003
35.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,492zł 5,665
$981zł 3,725
52.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,139zł 4,325
$817zł 3,103
39.36%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,490zł 17.1K
$3,435zł 13.0K
30.72%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,370zł 12.8K
$2,448zł 9,299
37.63%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Wroclaw
Szczecin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,819zł 6,909
$1,622zł 6,162
12.12%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.38
6.36
16.04%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Wroclaw: July 13, 2026
Last update for Szczecin: July 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $906 in Wroclaw and $658 in Szczecin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Wroclaw pays 12% 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: $53.0 in Wroclaw vs $49.00 in Szczecin for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $229 vs $207 per month, with Szczecin 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
Wroclaw vs Szczecin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Szczecin cheaper than Wroclaw?
Szczecin is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 21% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Wroclaw or Szczecin?
Average pay runs 12% higher in Wroclaw, 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 Wroclaw and Szczecin?
Rent for a central apartment: $906 in Wroclaw versus $658 in Szczecin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Wroclaw and in Szczecin?
All in, you'll spend $1,703 per month in Wroclaw versus $1,405 in Szczecin – a 21% 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 Szczecin runs roughly 7% less than in Wroclaw. 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 Wroclaw or in Szczecin?
At $1,405 in Szczecin versus $1,703 in Wroclaw, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Szczecin but tight or insufficient in Wroclaw. The gap between the two cities makes Szczecin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Wroclaw or Szczecin more family-friendly?
For families, Szczecin is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Wroclaw, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Wroclaw or Szczecin?
Safety-wise, Wroclaw and Szczecin 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 Szczecin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 21% less than in Wroclaw. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.