London VS Warsaw

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

London
United Kingdom
87.5
COLI Index
#6
Global Rank
GBP
Currency
Warsaw
Poland
28.4
COLI Index
#87
Global Rank
PLN
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
87.5
28.4
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$2,500
$700
Total Deductions
26.6%
21.4%
Exchange Rate
1 GBP = 5.2000 PLN
Is London cheaper than Warsaw?

Yes, Warsaw is 68% cheaper than London based on our cost of living index. Warsaw has a COLI of 28.4, while London has a COLI of 87.5. 68% cheaper

Key Takeaways: London vs Warsaw

Overall, Warsaw is approximately 68% cheaper than London based on our cost of living index. London has a COLI of 87.5 (ranked #6 of 182 cities), while Warsaw has a COLI of 28.4 (ranked #87).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in London averages $2,500/month compared to $700/month in Warsaw. That makes Warsaw approximately 72% cheaper for rent alone.

Warsaw has lower total deductions (21.4%) compared to London (26.6%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Warsaw. 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.

London

Income Tax
15%
National Insurance (NI)
8.0%
Council Tax (avg)
3.6%
Total: 26.6%Take-Home: £36,294/yr

Warsaw

Income Tax
8%
ZUS Contributions
13.7%
Total: 21.4%Take-Home: zł 65,561/yr

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

Salary Equivalent

If you earn £56,476 in London, you would need approximately zł 95,318 in Warsaw to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 68% less thanks to lower 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 London (GBP) Warsaw (PLN)
Doctor (General) £118,599 zł 200,169
Software Engineer £56,005 zł 94,524
Product Manager £65,889 zł 111,205
Lawyer £65,889 zł 111,205
Data Scientist £62,594 zł 105,645
Marketing Manager £47,440 zł 80,067
Teacher £31,627 zł 53,378
Nurse £38,215 zł 64,499

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

Neighborhoods

London (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Mayfair1.45x (+45%)
Chelsea1.38x (+38%)
Kensington1.35x (+35%)
Marylebone1.32x (+32%)
Hampstead1.30x (+30%)

Warsaw (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Śródmieście (Centre)1.25x (+25%)
Wilanów1.18x (+18%)
Żoliborz1.15x (+15%)
Stary Mokotów1.15x (+15%)
Mokotów1.12x (+12%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is London or Warsaw more expensive?

London is more expensive overall. London has a COLI of 87.5 while Warsaw has a COLI of 28.4, making Warsaw approximately 68% cheaper.

What salary in Warsaw equals £56,476 in London?

To maintain the same standard of living as £56,476 in London, you would need approximately zł 95,318 in Warsaw.

Is rent cheaper in London or Warsaw?

Average one-bedroom rent in London is $2,500/month compared to $700/month in Warsaw. Warsaw has lower rent by approximately 72%.

Which city has lower taxes, London or Warsaw?

Warsaw has lower total deductions (21.4%) compared to London (26.6%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Warsaw.

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.