Krakow VS Stockholm

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Krakow
Poland
23.8
COLI Index
#101
Global Rank
PLN
Currency
Stockholm
Sweden
64.3
COLI Index
#34
Global Rank
SEK
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
23.8
64.3
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$550
$1,500
Total Deductions
20.6%
39.0%
Exchange Rate
1 PLN = 2.3250 SEK
Is Krakow cheaper than Stockholm?

Yes, Krakow is 63% cheaper than Stockholm based on our cost of living index. Krakow has a COLI of 23.8, while Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3. 63% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Krakow vs Stockholm

Overall, Krakow is approximately 63% cheaper than Stockholm based on our cost of living index. Krakow has a COLI of 23.8 (ranked #101 of 182 cities), while Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3 (ranked #34).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Krakow averages $550/month compared to $1,500/month in Stockholm. That makes Krakow approximately 63% cheaper for rent alone.

Krakow has lower total deductions (20.6%) compared to Stockholm (39.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Krakow. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

Krakow

Income Tax
7%
ZUS Contributions
13.7%
Total: 20.6%Take-Home: zł 55,525/yr

Stockholm

Income Tax
32%
Employee Social Fees
7.0%
Total: 39.0%Take-Home: kr 267,812/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn zł 293,675 in Krakow, you would need approximately kr 1,844,690 in Stockholm to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 63% more due to higher cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title Krakow (PLN) Stockholm (SEK)
Doctor (General) zł 167,747 kr 1,053,687
Software Engineer zł 79,214 kr 497,575
Product Manager zł 93,193 kr 585,382
Lawyer zł 93,193 kr 585,382
Data Scientist zł 88,533 kr 556,113
Marketing Manager zł 67,099 kr 421,475
Teacher zł 44,733 kr 280,983
Nurse zł 54,052 kr 339,521

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

Krakow (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Old Town (Stare Miasto)1.28x (+28%)
Kazimierz1.18x (+18%)
Zwierzyniec1.10x (+10%)
Zabłocie1.08x (+8%)
Podgórze1.05x (+5%)

Stockholm (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Östermalm1.32x (+32%)
Norrmalm1.22x (+22%)
Gamla Stan1.20x (+20%)
Djurgården1.18x (+18%)
Södermalm1.15x (+15%)

Sponsored

Moving between Krakow and Stockholm?

Save up to 6x on international transfers. Send money at the real exchange rate with no hidden fees.

Compare Transfer Fees →

Get Your Exact Number

Use our converter with 3,400+ neighborhood adjustments for a precise salary comparison

Open Salary Converter

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Krakow or Stockholm more expensive?

Stockholm is more expensive overall. Krakow has a COLI of 23.8 while Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3, making Krakow approximately 63% cheaper.

What salary in Stockholm equals zł 293,675 in Krakow?

To maintain the same standard of living as zł 293,675 in Krakow, you would need approximately kr 1,844,690 in Stockholm.

Is rent cheaper in Krakow or Stockholm?

Average one-bedroom rent in Krakow is $550/month compared to $1,500/month in Stockholm. Krakow has lower rent by approximately 63%.

Which city has lower taxes, Krakow or Stockholm?

Krakow has lower total deductions (20.6%) compared to Stockholm (39.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Krakow.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.

Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.

Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.