City Comparison · Updated May 2026
Romania
COL index 38.2
Poland
COL index 51.3
Bucharest vs Warsaw — Cost of Living, Salary & Tax Compared (2026)
The verdict
Living in Bucharest is 25.5% cheaper than Warsaw for the same lifestyle.
Based on Q1 2026 COL index and median single-person expenditure.
Side-by-side stats
| Bucharest | Metric | Warsaw | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38.2 | Cost of living index | 51.3 | +34.3% |
| €50,000 | Median gross salary | €50,000 | 0.0% |
| €29,250 | Net at €50,000 gross | €41,568 | +42.1% |
| €680 | Rent — 1BR centre | €950 | +39.7% |
| €1,076 | Monthly COL (single) | €1,458 | +35.5% |
| €76,571 | PPP — net / COL | €81,028 | +5.8% |
| 41.5% | Effective tax @ €50,000 | 16.9% | -59.4% |
Monthly expenses — paired
Salary equivalence
€50,000 gross in Romania = €2,438 net monthly.
To have the same purchasing power in Warsaw, you would need roughly €46,989 gross in Poland (≈ €3,273 net monthly, adjusted for cost-of-living index).
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Pros & cons
- +Significantly cheaper rent (€680)
- +Low overall cost of living (index 38)
- −Heavy tax burden (41.5%)
- +Favourable tax rate (16.9%)
The verdict
Across the data, Warsaw delivers a higher take-home on a €50,000 gross salary; Bucharest carries a lower cost-of-living index; Warsaw has the lighter effective tax burden; Warsaw wins on purchasing power after costs are netted out. If purchasing power is your north star, Warsaw edges it.
Frequently asked
Is Bucharest cheaper than Warsaw?+
Bucharest is cheaper. Cost-of-living index: Bucharest 38.2, Warsaw 51.3 — a 25.5% difference (Q1 2026).
What is the cost of living difference between Bucharest and Warsaw?+
Bucharest sits at 38.2 on our COL index, Warsaw at 51.3. That works out to roughly 25.5% — Bucharest being the cheaper of the two.
Is Bucharest a good place to live compared to Warsaw?+
It depends on priorities. Bucharest delivers €29,250 net on a €50,000 gross salary at a 41.5% effective tax rate. Warsaw delivers €41,568 at 16.9%. Centre 1-bed rent: €680 vs €950.
How do salaries compare in Bucharest vs Warsaw?+
On a €50,000 gross salary, take-home is €29,250/year (€2,438/month) in Bucharest and €41,568/year (€3,464/month) in Warsaw.
Which city has lower taxes, Bucharest or Warsaw?+
Poland has the lower effective rate at €50,000: Romania 41.5%, Poland 16.9%.