🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,481 in Zgorzelec versus $1,913 in Krakow.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,181 in Zgorzelec versus $2,685 in Krakow.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,882 in Zgorzelec versus $3,458 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: Zgorzelec8% above, Krakow40% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Zgorzelec
Krakow
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.22zł 35.00
$13.05zł 49.53
-29.35%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.8zł 200
$53.7zł 204
-1.70%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.11zł 30.81
$9.96zł 37.83
-18.57%
Cappuccino
$3.23zł 12.25
$4.34zł 16.46
-25.58%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.95zł 3.60
$2.46zł 9.34
-61.38%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66zł 6.29
$2.60zł 9.86
-36.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.58zł 6.00
$4.77zł 18.10
-66.88%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11zł 8.03
$4.25zł 16.13
-50.35%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Zgorzelec
Krakow
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.96zł 3.63
$1.17zł 4.44
-17.95%
White Bread(500g)
$1.31zł 4.96
$1.60zł 6.09
-18.13%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.47zł 5.58
$1.89zł 7.18
-22.22%
Eggs
$3.82zł 14.52
$4.08zł 15.48
-6.37%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.92zł 33.85
$9.54zł 36.21
-6.50%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.28zł 23.85
$8.23zł 31.26
-23.69%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.64zł 51.8
$13.63zł 51.7
0.07%
Apples(1kg)
$0.90zł 3.41
$1.42zł 5.38
-36.62%
Banana(1kg)
$1.58zł 6.00
$1.84zł 6.99
-14.13%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.77zł 6.73
$1.78zł 6.76
-0.56%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.62zł 6.15
$3.17zł 12.05
-48.90%
Potato(1kg)
$0.70zł 2.65
$0.95zł 3.60
-26.32%
Onion(1kg)
$1.04zł 3.95
$1.09zł 4.13
-4.59%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.29zł 4.89
$1.38zł 5.23
-6.52%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72zł 2.72
$0.85zł 3.22
-15.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.85zł 18.41
$6.69zł 25.40
-27.50%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.96zł 30.21
$6.59zł 25.01
20.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.90zł 3.43
$1.22zł 4.61
-26.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.47zł 5.58
$1.69zł 6.40
-13.02%
🚌 Getting Around
Zgorzelec
Krakow
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.08zł 4.10
$1.57zł 5.96
-31.21%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.70zł 101
$35.26zł 134
-24.28%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.42zł 9.20
$2.44zł 9.26
-0.82%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.08zł 4.09
$1.03zł 3.91
4.85%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.15zł 49.92
$12.80zł 48.60
2.73%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.62zł 6.14
$1.65zł 6.28
-1.82%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.3Kzł 118.7K
$31.5Kzł 119.5K
-0.71%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.2Kzł 107.2K
$29.4Kzł 111.8K
-4.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zgorzelec
Krakow
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$299zł 1,134
$342zł 1,297
-12.60%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.93zł 30.12
$8.91zł 33.83
-11.00%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.91zł 75.6
$19.04zł 72.3
4.57%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Zgorzelec
Krakow
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.24zł 149
$45.81zł 174
-14.34%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.18zł 88.0
$26.07zł 99.0
-11.09%
Cinema Ticket
$7.96zł 30.24
$9.06zł 34.41
-12.14%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Zgorzelec
Krakow
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$512zł 1,945
$479zł 1,820
6.85%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,726zł 29.3K
$10.2Kzł 38.7K
-24.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Zgorzelec
Krakow
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.4zł 313
$100.0zł 379
-17.56%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.68zł 147
$41.28zł 157
-6.30%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.4zł 339
$94.4zł 358
-5.21%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112zł 424
$124zł 470
-9.75%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Zgorzelec
Krakow
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$716zł 2,717
$959zł 3,642
-25.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$492zł 1,866
$774zł 2,937
-36.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,165zł 4,421
$1,526zł 5,793
-23.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$766zł 2,909
$1,162zł 4,410
-34.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,113zł 11.8K
$5,810zł 22.1K
-46.42%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,189zł 8,309
$3,694zł 14.0K
-40.75%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Zgorzelec
Krakow
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,426zł 5,414
$1,942zł 7,373
-26.57%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.63
6.64
-0.15%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Zgorzelec: September 12, 2026
Last update for Krakow: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $716 in Zgorzelec and $959 in Krakow. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Krakow pays 36% 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 Zgorzelec vs $54.0 in Krakow for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $213 vs $247 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 29% 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 36% 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: $716 in Zgorzelec versus $959 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 16% 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 $53.0 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 $1,481 in Zgorzelec versus $1,913 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 $1,481 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 29% less than in Krakow. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.