Cost Of Living For a Student in Warsaw 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: PLN
Average monthly spending for students in Warsaw
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Warsaw?
Students in Warsaw spend around 8,700 PLN per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 1,300 PLN or as high as 97,000 PLN. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
How do students spend their money in Warsaw?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost19%
19% of total expenses on average (14% to 25%)
| LOW | $80 320 PLN |
| AVERAGE | $520 2,100 PLN |
| HIGH | $5,800 23,000 PLN |
| Per Month |
Students in Warsaw typically spend from 14% to 25% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 19% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 2,100 PLN with expenditure ranging from 320 PLN to 23,000 PLN. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $12 47 PLN |
| AVERAGE | $78 310 PLN |
| HIGH | $860 3,400 PLN |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Warsaw ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 310 PLN with 47 PLN and 3,400 PLN being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $22 89 PLN |
| AVERAGE | $150 580 PLN |
| HIGH | $1,600 6,500 PLN |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 89 PLN to 6,500 PLN in a month on commuting with 580 PLN being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 4% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 10%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
| LOW | $62 250 PLN |
| AVERAGE | $410 1,600 PLN |
| HIGH | $4,500 18,000 PLN |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Warsaw is 1,600 PLN. The cost of groceries can range between 250 PLN to 18,000 PLN. Students spend on average about 23% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 17% and 27% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $17 66 PLN |
| AVERAGE | $110 430 PLN |
| HIGH | $1,200 4,800 PLN |
| Per Month |
Students in Warsaw allocate 6% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 66 PLN to 4,800 PLN with 430 PLN being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)
| LOW | $16 62 PLN |
| AVERAGE | $100 410 PLN |
| HIGH | $1,100 4,500 PLN |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 62 PLN to 4,500 PLN with 410 PLN being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $59 240 PLN |
| AVERAGE | $390 1,500 PLN |
| HIGH | $4,300 17,000 PLN |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 1,500 PLN per month with 240 PLN being the minimum spent amount and 17,000 PLN being the maximum.
Other Expenses18%
18% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $49 200 PLN |
| AVERAGE | $320 1,300 PLN |
| HIGH | $3,600 14,000 PLN |
| Per Month |
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Warsaw
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Warsaw
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
Internet and cable cost
Mobile phone bill and charges
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 310 PLN. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 83 PLN to 220 PLN with 170 PLN being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 90 PLN but can range between 54 PLN and 270 PLN depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Warsaw is around 7.1%. This means that people pay 7.1% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3.5% to 12% depending on salary and location.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Warsaw
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price
| 38,000 PLN | 76,000 PLN | 100,000 PLN |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
Internet and cable
Mobile phone charges
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
Woman dress
Woman shoes
Men's shoes
Men suit
Regular t-shirt
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 1,500 PLN | 2,300 PLN | 6,100 PLN |
1-bedroom apartment
| 2,300 PLN | 3,700 PLN | 9,300 PLN |
2-bedroom apartment
| 3,200 PLN | 4,800 PLN | 13,000 PLN |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 320,000 PLN | 480,000 PLN | 960,000 PLN |
| $80,000 | $120,000 | $240,000 |
1-bedroom apartment
| 390,000 PLN | 650,000 PLN | 2.5M PLN |
| $98,000 | $160,000 | $620,000 |
2-bedroom apartment
| 610,000 PLN | 1.8M PLN | 3.7M PLN |
| $150,000 | $460,000 | $920,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 1,600 PLN | 2,000 PLN | 2,600 PLN |
Double Bed
| 1,100 PLN | 1,600 PLN | 2,000 PLN |
Single Bed
| 970 PLN | 1,300 PLN | 1,600 PLN |
Living Room
| 1,900 PLN | 2,400 PLN | 8,400 PLN |
Dining Table
| 780 PLN | 1,000 PLN | 2,000 PLN |
Sofa or Couch
| 1,100 PLN | 1,500 PLN | 3,200 PLN |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 1,100 PLN | 1,600 PLN | 3,200 PLN |
Fridge or Freezer
| 970 PLN | 1,500 PLN | 2,100 PLN |
Washing Machine
| 1,200 PLN | 1,700 PLN | 3,100 PLN |
Stove or Cooker
| 1,100 PLN | 1,400 PLN | 2,000 PLN |
Mobile Phone
| 1,300 PLN | 1,600 PLN | 2,300 PLN |
Laptop or Computer
| 1,500 PLN | 1,800 PLN | 3,300 PLN |
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Warsaw
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Warsaw
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 1,500 PLN | 2,300 PLN | 6,100 PLN |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 2,300 PLN | 3,700 PLN | 9,300 PLN |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 3,200 PLN | 4,800 PLN | 13,000 PLN |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 3,900 PLN | 6,500 PLN | 18,000 PLN |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 7,500 PLN | 19,000 PLN | 37,000 PLN |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 6,100 PLN | 9,200 PLN | 26,000 PLN |
House monthly rent cost
| 7,500 PLN | 19,000 PLN | 38,000 PLN |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 9,100 PLN | 23,000 PLN | 37,000 PLN |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Warsaw ranges between 1,500 PLN and 6,100 PLN, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 2,300 PLN to 9,300 PLN. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 3,200 PLN and 13,000 PLN per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 3,900 PLN to 18,000 PLN. The average rent of a townhouse in Warsaw is around 9,200 PLN while house rental costs can be as high as 19,000 PLN per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 9,100 PLN to 37,000 PLN per month.
Apartment and house prices in Warsaw
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 320,000 PLN | 480,000 PLN | 960,000 PLN |
| $80,000 | $120,000 | $240,000 |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 390,000 PLN | 650,000 PLN | 2.5M PLN |
| $98,000 | $160,000 | $620,000 |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 610,000 PLN | 1.8M PLN | 3.7M PLN |
| $150,000 | $460,000 | $920,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 2.1M PLN | 3.1M PLN | 9.4M PLN |
Townhouse price
| 2.7M PLN | 6.4M PLN | 24M PLN |
House price
Villa price
The average price of a studio apartment in Warsaw can range from 320,000 PLN to 960,000 PLN depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 390,000 PLN to 2.5M PLN. A villa can cost you 22M PLN on average with prices ranging from 3.9M PLN to 33M PLN.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Warsaw will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 49 | x141 monthly income | 276 |
Property prices in Warsaw can be x141 to x276 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x141 multiples of the average monthly salary in Warsaw.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Warsaw is around 36%. This means that people pay 36% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 24% to 48% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
28% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Affordable living in Warsaw
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Warsaw?
Around 69% of surveyed students think that living in Warsaw is affordable with proper budgeting while 31% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Warsaw
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options60%
Few low-cost options40%
Based on the survey, 60% of the students living in Warsaw have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 40% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked students whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes67%
No33%
Based on the survey, 33% of the students living in Warsaw said that they don't have an emergency fund while 67% said that they do.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Warsaw
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Warsaw
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Warsaw is approximatly 32 PLN with meal cost ranging from 16 PLN to 53 PLN. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 55 PLN and 170 PLN with 83 PLN being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Warsaw.
Fine dining meal for one price
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 110 PLN to 630 PLN with the average cost being 160 PLN for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Warsaw.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Warsaw is around 22 PLN. Price ranges between 14 PLN and 33 PLN depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Warsaw is 13 PLN. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 17 PLN and the minimum being 11 PLN depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 10 PLN on average with 7.9 PLN and 16 PLN being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Warsaw is between 19 PLN and 35 PLN depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 24 PLN.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 34 PLN. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Warsaw costs around 11 PLN on average with prices rangeing between 8.3 PLN and 16 PLN depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 3.2 PLN to 7.9 PLN. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 7.5 PLN on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 250 PLN to 18,000 PLN with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
Financial Literacy in
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy64%
We asked student guardians and parents in Warsaw whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 36% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 64% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether students of have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 31% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 69% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance31%
Easily manages finances69%
Published: August 1, 2024 Last Update: May 17, 2025
