🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,479 in Zgorzelec versus $1,916 in Krakow.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,177 in Zgorzelec versus $2,662 in Krakow.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,875 in Zgorzelec versus $3,409 in Krakow.
🌍Living in Zgorzelec costs roughly 23% less than in Krakow, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Zgorzelec9% above, Krakow41% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Zgorzelec
Krakow
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.36zł 34.86
$12.69zł 47.26
-26.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.1zł 194
$54.3zł 202
-4.03%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.22zł 30.60
$10.26zł 38.22
-19.88%
Cappuccino
$3.23zł 12.02
$4.57zł 17.02
-29.32%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.96zł 3.59
$2.48zł 9.22
-61.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.71zł 6.37
$2.50zł 9.30
-31.60%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.63zł 6.07
$4.70zł 17.51
-65.32%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.10zł 7.80
$4.16zł 15.48
-49.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Zgorzelec
Krakow
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.00zł 3.74
$1.17zł 4.34
-14.53%
White Bread(500g)
$1.28zł 4.76
$1.55zł 5.77
-17.42%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.45zł 5.38
$1.88zł 7.01
-22.87%
Eggs
$3.61zł 13.43
$4.23zł 15.75
-14.66%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.38zł 34.94
$9.90zł 36.86
-5.25%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.19zł 23.03
$7.60zł 28.30
-18.55%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.10zł 48.79
$13.37zł 49.80
-2.02%
Apples(1kg)
$0.94zł 3.52
$1.39zł 5.17
-32.37%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64zł 6.09
$1.74zł 6.46
-5.75%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.76zł 6.56
$1.81zł 6.73
-2.76%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.64zł 6.10
$3.30zł 12.28
-50.30%
Potato(1kg)
$0.66zł 2.44
$0.94zł 3.50
-29.79%
Onion(1kg)
$1.10zł 4.11
$1.04zł 3.88
5.77%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.33zł 4.95
$1.27zł 4.74
4.72%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.73zł 2.73
$0.77zł 2.85
-5.19%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.08zł 18.91
$6.48zł 24.13
-21.60%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.07zł 30.06
$6.86zł 25.54
17.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.89zł 3.32
$1.26zł 4.70
-29.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.42zł 5.28
$1.76zł 6.56
-19.32%
🚌 Getting Around
Zgorzelec
Krakow
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.28zł 4.75
$1.57zł 5.86
-18.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$27.63zł 103
$34.57zł 129
-20.08%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.47zł 9.20
$2.34zł 8.73
5.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.05zł 3.89
$1.05zł 3.89
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.23zł 49.25
$12.54zł 46.71
5.50%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.63zł 6.06
$1.68zł 6.26
-2.98%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.0Kzł 119.2K
$31.4Kzł 116.8K
2.07%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.6Kzł 106.4K
$30.5Kzł 113.7K
-6.35%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zgorzelec
Krakow
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$306zł 1,139
$328zł 1,222
-6.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.14zł 30.30
$9.16zł 34.12
-11.14%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.35zł 75.8
$19.35zł 72.0
5.17%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Zgorzelec
Krakow
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.98zł 149
$46.06zł 172
-13.20%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.28zł 90.4
$24.93zł 92.8
-2.61%
Cinema Ticket
$7.87zł 29.31
$9.10zł 33.89
-13.52%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Zgorzelec
Krakow
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$513zł 1,909
$453zł 1,686
13.21%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,804zł 29.1K
$10.2Kzł 37.9K
-23.28%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Zgorzelec
Krakow
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$84.5zł 315
$95.8zł 357
-11.83%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.11zł 146
$42.15zł 157
-7.21%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$91.5zł 341
$96.1zł 358
-4.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113zł 422
$125zł 464
-8.92%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Zgorzelec
Krakow
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$712zł 2,651
$935zł 3,480
-23.82%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$460zł 1,714
$784zł 2,918
-41.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,171zł 4,361
$1,509zł 5,618
-22.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$893zł 3,326
$1,181zł 4,398
-24.38%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,437zł 12.8K
$5,858zł 21.8K
-41.33%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,017zł 7,512
$3,669zł 13.7K
-45.01%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Zgorzelec
Krakow
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,405zł 5,233
$1,934zł 7,201
-27.33%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.65
6.69
-0.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Zgorzelec: August 2, 2026
Last update for Krakow: August 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $712 in Zgorzelec and $935 in Krakow. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Krakow pays 38% 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: $52.0 in Zgorzelec vs $54.0 in Krakow for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $213 vs $243 per month, with Zgorzelec 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
Zgorzelec vs Krakow: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Zgorzelec or Krakow?
Zgorzelec wins on cost – living expenses run 30% lower than in Krakow. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Zgorzelec the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Zgorzelec or in Krakow?
On paper, salaries run 38% lower in Krakow. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Zgorzelec compared to Krakow?
Rent for a central apartment: $712 in Zgorzelec versus $935 in Krakow. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Zgorzelec or in Krakow?
Supermarket bills run roughly 14% higher in Krakow. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How do dining costs compare in Zgorzelec and in Krakow?
Dining out is cheaper in Zgorzelec – a meal for two runs $52.0 versus $54.0 in Krakow. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Zgorzelec or in Krakow?
At $1,479 in Zgorzelec versus $1,916 in Krakow, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Zgorzelec but tight or insufficient in Krakow. The gap between the two cities makes Zgorzelec the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Zgorzelec or Krakow?
Both work as nomad bases, but Zgorzelec delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,479 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Zgorzelec hard to pass up.
How safe is Zgorzelec compared to Krakow?
Safety-wise, Zgorzelec and Krakow 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 Zgorzelec gentler on the wallet – expenses run 30% less than in Krakow. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.