Krakow vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Krakow is ~26% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Krakow
Poland
COL+Rent
27.4
Rent Index
13.2
Groceries
36.2
Restaurant
40
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Krakow | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $590 | $819 | $229 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $425 | $644 | $219 |
| Groceries | $211 | $271 | $60 |
| Restaurant Meal | $12 | $14 | $2 |
| Transit Pass | $28 | $75 | $47 |
| Utilities | $150 | $82 | +$68 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Krakow | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $799/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $1,159/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,470/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Krakow | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,026/mo | +$526 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,701/mo | +$701 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,051/mo | +$1,051 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Krakow vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Krakow is approximately 26% more affordable than Gothenburg when combining rent and daily living costs. Krakow's COL+Rent Index of 27.4 vs Gothenburg's 37 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Krakow costs $590/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Krakow a $229/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $2,748 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Krakow ($211/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Krakow's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $12 vs $14 show Krakow is the better value for dining out. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Krakow offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,159 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.