😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,792 in Wroclaw versus $1,364 in Szczecin.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,614 in Wroclaw versus $2,044 in Szczecin.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,436 in Wroclaw versus $2,723 in Szczecin.
🌍Living in Wroclaw is roughly 31% more expensive than in Szczecin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Wroclaw31% above, Szczecin0% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Wroclaw
Szczecin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.46zł 39.70
$9.45zł 35.85
10.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.7zł 200
$48.34zł 183
8.94%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.74zł 40.75
$8.71zł 33.05
23.31%
Cappuccino
$4.24zł 16.10
$3.07zł 11.65
38.11%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31zł 8.76
$1.84zł 6.98
25.54%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95zł 7.38
$1.52zł 5.77
28.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.02zł 15.27
$3.25zł 12.35
23.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.43zł 20.62
$3.15zł 11.94
72.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Wroclaw
Szczecin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.13zł 4.27
$0.91zł 3.46
24.18%
White Bread(500g)
$1.64zł 6.24
$1.29zł 4.90
27.13%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.54zł 5.85
$1.16zł 4.40
32.76%
Eggs
$4.07zł 15.44
$3.46zł 13.12
17.63%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.73zł 36.94
$9.57zł 36.33
1.67%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.22zł 27.42
$6.55zł 24.86
10.23%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.27zł 46.56
$13.14zł 49.86
-6.62%
Apples(1kg)
$1.30zł 4.94
$1.02zł 3.88
27.45%
Banana(1kg)
$1.62zł 6.14
$1.67zł 6.35
-2.99%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.71zł 6.50
$1.64zł 6.23
4.27%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.62zł 13.74
$2.45zł 9.29
47.76%
Potato(1kg)
$1.02zł 3.85
$0.87zł 3.32
17.24%
Onion(1kg)
$0.86zł 3.25
$1.11zł 4.23
-22.52%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.45zł 5.50
$1.17zł 4.43
23.93%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.73zł 2.78
$0.58zł 2.19
25.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.54zł 24.81
$5.49zł 20.85
19.13%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.03zł 30.48
$6.67zł 25.30
20.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20zł 4.55
$1.17zł 4.43
2.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.81zł 6.86
$1.52zł 5.75
19.08%
🚌 Getting Around
Wroclaw
Szczecin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.20zł 4.55
$0.83zł 3.14
44.58%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$28.88zł 110
$26.86zł 102
7.52%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.58zł 9.80
$2.01zł 7.61
28.36%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.97zł 3.69
$0.91zł 3.45
6.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$10.48zł 39.78
$13.43zł 51.0
-21.97%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.61zł 6.09
$1.60zł 6.09
0.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.6Kzł 119.8K
$31.9Kzł 121.2K
-1.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.6Kzł 116.0K
$29.9Kzł 113.3K
2.37%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Wroclaw
Szczecin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$360zł 1,365
$250zł 949
43.84%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.53zł 39.95
$12.95zł 49.16
-18.69%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.76zł 67.4
$19.37zł 73.5
-8.31%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Wroclaw
Szczecin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.44zł 157
$31.84zł 121
30.15%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$32.94zł 125
$51.4zł 195
-35.85%
Cinema Ticket
$9.05zł 34.35
$6.75zł 25.61
34.07%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Wroclaw
Szczecin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$503zł 1,909
$349zł 1,325
44.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.7Kzł 48.2K
$7,999zł 30.4K
58.74%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Wroclaw
Szczecin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$97.6zł 370
$72.2zł 274
35.16%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.65zł 162
$36.47zł 138
16.95%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$100zł 380
$81.7zł 310
22.53%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109zł 414
$93.3zł 354
16.86%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Wroclaw
Szczecin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$865zł 3,283
$639zł 2,426
35.36%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$709zł 2,691
$506zł 1,919
40.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,469zł 5,575
$1,179zł 4,477
24.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,134zł 4,304
$856zł 3,248
32.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,718zł 17.9K
$3,456zł 13.1K
36.53%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,498zł 13.3K
$2,478zł 9,406
41.16%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Wroclaw
Szczecin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,761zł 6,685
$1,643zł 6,235
7.21%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.17
6.82
5.13%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Wroclaw: September 13, 2026
Last update for Szczecin: September 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $865 in Wroclaw and $639 in Szczecin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Wroclaw pays 7% 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 $48.00 in Szczecin for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $238 vs $214 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 31% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Wroclaw or Szczecin?
Average pay runs 7% 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: $865 in Wroclaw versus $639 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 $1,792 per month in Wroclaw versus $1,364 in Szczecin – a 31% 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 8% 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 $1,364 in Szczecin versus $1,792 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 31% less than in Wroclaw. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.