Cost of Living: Poland vs Austria
Poland is 32% cheaper than Austria overall. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.
The verdict: Poland wins on affordability
Poland is roughly 32% cheaper than Austria on the combined COL+Rent index. On a moderate urban lifestyle, this translates to a difference of $637 per month, or about $7,644 per year.
Monthly Budget Comparison
Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.
| Budget level | Poland | Austria | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $1,065 | $1,607 | Poland 34% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $1,505 | $2,142 | Poland 30% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $1,725 | $2,454 | Poland 30% less |
Budgets include rent, groceries, utilities, transit pass, and a typical number of restaurant meals per tier.
Line-Item Cost Comparison
Every major monthly expense, side by side.
| Category | Poland | Austria |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $820 | $1,140 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $590 | $875 |
Groceries (monthly) | $240 | $435 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $14 | $18 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $35 | $62 |
Basic utilities (85m²) | $200 | $235 |
Index Breakdown (NYC = 100)
Individual sub-indices for each category. Lower = cheaper than New York City.
Salary Equivalents
Purchasing-power-adjusted: if you earn X net in the US, how much do you need in Poland and Austria to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in Poland | Needed in Austria |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $30,551 | $45,027 |
| $75,000/yr | $45,826 | $67,540 |
| $100,000/yr | $61,101 | $90,053 |
NET (after-tax) purchasing-power equivalents. Gross salary targets depend on each country's tax regime — see the salary comparison page for full tax breakdowns.
Dig Deeper
Combine this cost comparison with tax and salary data for the complete picture.
Cost of Living in Poland
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Poland only.
Cost of Living in Austria
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Austria only.
Poland vs Austria Salary
Side-by-side take-home pay at $50K–$200K with 2025 tax brackets.
Salary After Tax in Poland
Net take-home pay calculator for Poland.
Salary After Tax in Austria
Net take-home pay calculator for Austria.
All 40 Countries — Cost of Living
Sortable leaderboard, affordability tiers, and the salary-equivalence calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions: Poland vs Austria
Is Poland cheaper than Austria?
Poland is 32% cheaper than Austria. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 34.4 for Poland vs 50.7 for Austria. In practical terms, a $2,142/month lifestyle in Austria can be matched for roughly $1,453/month in Poland.
What is the monthly budget difference between Poland and Austria?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $1,505 in Poland versus $2,142 in Austria — a difference of $637/month (30%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $1,725 vs $2,454.
How does rent compare in Poland vs Austria?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $820/month in Poland and $1,140/month in Austria. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $590 in Poland and $875 in Austria. Rent typically represents 30–50% of a single person's monthly budget in both countries.
How much salary do I need to move from Poland to Austria?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in Poland, you'd need roughly $110,538 net in Austria to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from Austria to Poland on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $50,888 net in Poland. These are purchasing-power-adjusted amounts — your gross salary target will differ by tax regime.
Which country has higher groceries prices?
Monthly grocery basket for a single person: $240 in Poland vs $435 in Austria. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $14 in Poland vs $18 in Austria. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.