🇦🇹 Vienna vs 🇵🇱 Warsaw

Cost of living comparison · 2026

🇦🇹

Vienna

Austria

$2,462–$3,897/mo

€2,280 – €3,608 / month (local)

🇵🇱

Warsaw

Poland

$1,477–$2,338/mo

zł5,908 – zł9,352 / month (local)

Vienna is 67% more expensive

Warsaw wins on affordability

Cost breakdown

CategoryVienna (USD)Warsaw (USD)Winner
Rent (1-bed, city center)$1,846–$2,872$1,108–$1,723🟢 Warsaw
Rent (1-bed, outside center)$974–$1,538$585–$923🟢 Warsaw
Utilities$77–$149$46–$89🟢 Warsaw
Groceries$390–$585$234–$351🟢 Warsaw
Eating out (mid-range meal)$51–$92$31–$55🟢 Warsaw
Public transport (monthly)$97–$118$58–$71🟢 Warsaw
Internet & Mobile$31–$51$18–$31🟢 Warsaw
Gym membership$36–$67$22–$40🟢 Warsaw
Cinema ticket$14–$18$9–$11🟢 Warsaw
Monthly total (single)$2,462–$3,897$1,477–$2,338🟢 Warsaw

See how your salary compares in both cities

Enter monthly take-home in USD. We compare to our estimated budget range for your household (not financial advice).

Quality of life comparison

Housing5.5 / 10 · 7.2 / 10
Vienna
Warsaw▲ better
Safety9.6 / 10 · 9.2 / 10
Vienna▲ better
Warsaw
Healthcare7.9 / 10 · 9.2 / 10
Vienna
Warsaw▲ better
Education7.5 / 10 · 8.8 / 10
Vienna
Warsaw▲ better
Environment8.3 / 10 · 9.6 / 10
Vienna
Warsaw▲ better
Economy8.3 / 10 · 7.9 / 10
Vienna▲ better
Warsaw
Culture8.9 / 10 · 8.5 / 10
Vienna▲ better
Warsaw
Internet7.6 / 10 · 8.9 / 10
Vienna
Warsaw▲ better

Who should choose which city?

Choose Vienna if…

  • You're happy to pay more for what Vienna offers vs Warsaw
  • Safety
  • Culture
  • Healthcare
  • UN agencies

Choose Warsaw if…

  • You want lower typical monthly costs than Vienna
  • Growing economy
  • Affordable
  • Talent pool
  • Shared services

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Full Vienna guide

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Explore Vienna

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Full Warsaw guide

See all costs, neighborhoods and quality of life scores

Explore Warsaw