Osaka VS Warsaw

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Osaka
Japan
62.8
COLI Index
#38
Global Rank
JPY
Currency
Warsaw
Poland
28.4
COLI Index
#87
Global Rank
PLN
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
62.8
28.4
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$1,000
$700
Total Deductions
29.0%
21.4%
Exchange Rate
1 JPY = 0.0253 PLN
Is Osaka cheaper than Warsaw?

Yes, Warsaw is 55% cheaper than Osaka based on our cost of living index. Warsaw has a COLI of 28.4, while Osaka has a COLI of 62.8. 55% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Osaka vs Warsaw

Overall, Warsaw is approximately 55% cheaper than Osaka based on our cost of living index. Osaka has a COLI of 62.8 (ranked #38 of 182 cities), while Warsaw has a COLI of 28.4 (ranked #87).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Osaka averages $1,000/month compared to $700/month in Warsaw. That makes Warsaw approximately 30% cheaper for rent alone.

Warsaw has lower total deductions (21.4%) compared to Osaka (29.0%), 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.

Osaka

Income Tax
14%
Health + Pension + Employment
14.8%
Total: 29.0%Take-Home: ¥5,177,912/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 ¥11,618,223 in Osaka, you would need approximately zł 132,808 in Warsaw to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 55% 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 Osaka (JPY) Warsaw (PLN)
Doctor (General) ¥17,510,986 zł 200,169
Software Engineer ¥8,269,077 zł 94,524
Product Manager ¥9,728,325 zł 111,205
Lawyer ¥9,728,325 zł 111,205
Data Scientist ¥9,241,909 zł 105,645
Marketing Manager ¥7,004,394 zł 80,067
Teacher ¥4,669,596 zł 53,378
Nurse ¥5,642,429 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

Osaka (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Kita (Umeda)1.22x (+22%)
Chuo (Namba)1.18x (+18%)
Shinsaibashi1.15x (+15%)
Fukushima1.10x (+10%)
Tennoji1.08x (+8%)

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 Osaka or Warsaw more expensive?

Osaka is more expensive overall. Osaka has a COLI of 62.8 while Warsaw has a COLI of 28.4, making Warsaw approximately 55% cheaper.

What salary in Warsaw equals ¥11,618,223 in Osaka?

To maintain the same standard of living as ¥11,618,223 in Osaka, you would need approximately zł 132,808 in Warsaw.

Is rent cheaper in Osaka or Warsaw?

Average one-bedroom rent in Osaka is $1,000/month compared to $700/month in Warsaw. Warsaw has lower rent by approximately 30%.

Which city has lower taxes, Osaka or Warsaw?

Warsaw has lower total deductions (21.4%) compared to Osaka (29.0%), 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.