Report: Warsaw workers fall €466 short of average monthly salary after covering basic living costs

With an average monthly salary of €1,701 and essential costs amounting to €2,167 per month, Poland tops our list as the most unaffordable European capital. The costs represent over 127% of the monthly income, meaning workers must find an additional €466 each month to cover them.
Families of four (2 adults, 2 children) face similar challenges with typical monthly living expenses totaling €3,473. Combined average wages of €3,402 fall just short, leaving little to no room for savings at the end of the month.
Rent prices in Warsaw are among the top 10 highest in Europe. A typical 45 m² studio apartment averages €1,293 per month including utilities, which is more expensive than capitals like Bern where for the same size apartment costs €1,126 per month.
Warsaw residents spend around €362 monthly on entertainment, just shy of London’s €385 and noticeably more than Vienna’s €335, reflecting the city’s growing appetite (and price tag) for leisure and nightlife.
Food in Warsaw is also relatively unaffordable, with the average person spending €169 monthly on essential items, about 10% of the average salary. These prices are on par with expensive capitals like Paris (€171) and higher than in Rome (€160). In contrast, neighboring capitals such as Prague and Bratislava have significantly lower food costs, at €127 and €121, respectively.