Cost of Living: Poland vs Sweden
Poland is 22% cheaper than Sweden overall. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.
The verdict: Poland wins on affordability
Poland is roughly 22% cheaper than Sweden on the combined COL+Rent index. On a moderate urban lifestyle, this translates to a difference of $260 per month, or about $3,120 per year.
Monthly Budget Comparison
Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.
| Budget level | Poland | Sweden | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $1,065 | $1,315 | Poland 19% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $1,505 | $1,765 | Poland 15% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $1,725 | $1,999 | Poland 14% 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 | Sweden |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $820 | $1,050 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $590 | $825 |
Groceries (monthly) | $240 | $295 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $14 | $15 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $35 | $90 |
Basic utilities (85m²) | $200 | $105 |
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 Sweden to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in Poland | Needed in Sweden |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $30,551 | $39,076 |
| $75,000/yr | $45,826 | $58,615 |
| $100,000/yr | $61,101 | $78,153 |
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 Sweden
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Sweden only.
Poland vs Sweden 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 Sweden
Net take-home pay calculator for Sweden.
All 40 Countries — Cost of Living
Sortable leaderboard, affordability tiers, and the salary-equivalence calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions: Poland vs Sweden
Is Poland cheaper than Sweden?
Poland is 22% cheaper than Sweden. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 34.4 for Poland vs 44.0 for Sweden. In practical terms, a $1,765/month lifestyle in Sweden can be matched for roughly $1,380/month in Poland.
What is the monthly budget difference between Poland and Sweden?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $1,505 in Poland versus $1,765 in Sweden — a difference of $260/month (15%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $1,725 vs $1,999.
How does rent compare in Poland vs Sweden?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $820/month in Poland and $1,050/month in Sweden. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $590 in Poland and $825 in Sweden. 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 Sweden?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in Poland, you'd need roughly $95,930 net in Sweden to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from Sweden to Poland on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $58,636 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 $295 in Sweden. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $14 in Poland vs $15 in Sweden. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.