London vs Warsaw
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Warsaw is ~45% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
London
United Kingdom
COL+Rent
72.9
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
73.9
Restaurant
93.3
Warsaw
Poland
COL+Rent
40.3
Rent Index
24.8
Groceries
48.5
Restaurant
59.2
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | London | Warsaw | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,503 | $1,107 | +$1,396 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,960 | $797 | +$1,163 |
| Groceries | $422 | $283 | +$139 |
| Restaurant Meal | $28 | $17 | +$11 |
| Transit Pass | $113 | $37 | +$76 |
| Utilities | $258 | $201 | +$57 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | London | Warsaw |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,738/mo | $1,301/mo |
| Typical | $3,716/mo | $1,883/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,596/mo | $2,361/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in London | ≈ in Warsaw | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $829/mo | -$671 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,106/mo | -$894 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,658/mo | -$1,342 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: London vs Warsaw for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Warsaw is approximately 45% more affordable than London when combining rent and daily living costs. London's COL+Rent Index of 72.9 vs Warsaw's 40.3 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in London costs $2,503/month versus $1,107/month in Warsaw — giving Warsaw a $1,396/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $16,752 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in London ($422/mo) vs Warsaw ($283/mo) reflect Warsaw's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $28 vs $17 show Warsaw offers cheaper dining. 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, Warsaw offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,883 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.