🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,388 in Zgorzelec versus $2,040 in Warsaw.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,057 in Zgorzelec versus $2,889 in Warsaw.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,725 in Zgorzelec versus $3,737 in Warsaw.
🙂Living in Zgorzelec costs roughly 32% less than in Warsaw, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Zgorzelec4% above, Warsaw52% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Zgorzelec
Warsaw
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.32zł 33.98
$11.04zł 40.27
-15.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.63zł 177
$58.1zł 212
-16.33%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.17zł 29.78
$9.74zł 35.52
-16.12%
Cappuccino
$3.28zł 11.97
$4.29zł 15.64
-23.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.92zł 3.36
$2.11zł 7.70
-56.40%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68zł 6.14
$1.81zł 6.62
-7.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.59zł 5.80
$4.45zł 16.23
-64.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18zł 7.96
$4.68zł 17.08
-53.42%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Zgorzelec
Warsaw
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.01zł 3.67
$1.15zł 4.20
-12.17%
White Bread(500g)
$1.31zł 4.77
$1.36zł 4.97
-3.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.65zł 6.03
$1.84zł 6.70
-10.33%
Eggs
$3.23zł 11.80
$3.63zł 13.24
-11.02%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.09zł 36.80
$10.11zł 36.87
-0.20%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.50zł 23.72
$6.98zł 25.45
-6.88%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.78zł 42.95
$14.55zł 53.1
-19.04%
Apples(1kg)
$0.92zł 3.35
$1.29zł 4.71
-28.68%
Banana(1kg)
$1.66zł 6.04
$1.79zł 6.51
-7.26%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.76zł 6.43
$1.94zł 7.06
-9.28%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.61zł 5.88
$3.62zł 13.21
-55.52%
Potato(1kg)
$0.70zł 2.56
$1.06zł 3.86
-33.96%
Onion(1kg)
$1.15zł 4.20
$1.18zł 4.29
-2.54%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.31zł 4.76
$1.44zł 5.25
-9.03%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66zł 2.39
$0.67zł 2.43
-1.49%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.87zł 17.76
$5.29zł 19.30
-7.94%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.26zł 30.11
$8.29zł 30.24
-0.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.91zł 3.33
$1.43zł 5.20
-36.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55zł 5.66
$1.88zł 6.86
-17.55%
🚌 Getting Around
Zgorzelec
Warsaw
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.11zł 4.04
$1.16zł 4.23
-4.31%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$32.45zł 118
$29.77zł 109
9.00%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.13zł 7.75
$2.63zł 9.60
-19.01%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.90zł 3.27
$0.98zł 3.56
-8.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$10.79zł 39.33
$13.42zł 48.95
-19.60%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.71zł 6.22
$1.71zł 6.23
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.2Kzł 121.0K
$33.4Kzł 121.8K
-0.62%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.4Kzł 118.0K
$33.6Kzł 122.5K
-3.65%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zgorzelec
Warsaw
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$277zł 1,011
$357zł 1,302
-22.37%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.07zł 36.73
$10.03zł 36.58
0.40%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.44zł 63.6
$17.56zł 64.0
-0.68%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Zgorzelec
Warsaw
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$35.85zł 131
$44.87zł 164
-20.10%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.48zł 71.0
$29.23zł 107
-33.36%
Cinema Ticket
$7.62zł 27.79
$9.70zł 35.36
-21.44%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Zgorzelec
Warsaw
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$409zł 1,490
$580zł 2,114
-29.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,725zł 24.5K
$15.7Kzł 57.1K
-57.09%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Zgorzelec
Warsaw
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$91.5zł 334
$99.2zł 362
-7.76%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.26zł 136
$46.99zł 171
-20.71%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.3zł 340
$92.5zł 337
0.79%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105zł 383
$111zł 404
-5.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Zgorzelec
Warsaw
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$660zł 2,406
$1,161zł 4,233
-43.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$491zł 1,790
$890zł 3,244
-44.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$984zł 3,589
$2,033zł 7,414
-51.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$801zł 2,922
$1,526zł 5,566
-47.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,951zł 10.8K
$6,283zł 22.9K
-53.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,634zł 9,605
$4,074zł 14.9K
-35.34%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Zgorzelec
Warsaw
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,469zł 5,355
$2,228zł 8,126
-34.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.8
7.55
-9.93%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Zgorzelec: June 1, 2026
Last update for Warsaw: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $660 in Zgorzelec and $1,161 in Warsaw. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Warsaw pays 52% 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 Zgorzelec vs $58.0 in Warsaw for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $212 vs $246 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 Warsaw: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Zgorzelec or Warsaw?
Zgorzelec wins on cost – living expenses run 47% lower than in Warsaw. 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 Warsaw?
On paper, Warsaw earns 52% less. 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 vs Warsaw?
Rent for a central apartment: $660 in Zgorzelec versus $1,161 in Warsaw. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Zgorzelec compared to Warsaw?
All in, you'll spend $1,388 per month in Zgorzelec versus $2,040 in Warsaw – a 47% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Zgorzelec vs Warsaw?
A monthly transit pass in Zgorzelec runs roughly 9% less than in Warsaw. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Zgorzelec or Warsaw?
At $1,388 in Zgorzelec versus $2,040 in Warsaw, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Zgorzelec but tight or insufficient in Warsaw. 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 Warsaw?
Both work as nomad bases, but Zgorzelec delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,388 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 Warsaw?
Safety-wise, Zgorzelec and Warsaw 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 47% less than in Warsaw. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.