Are you wondering about the cost of living in Gdańsk as a student? Gdańsk is a city on the Baltic coast of northern Poland, with a rich and complex history, a vibrant and diverse culture, and a thriving and innovative economy. It is also a popular destination for international students, who can enjoy the high-quality education, the exciting student life, and the beautiful scenery of this city. This blog will explore the average monthly living costs in Gdańsk, covering the main expenses such as accommodation, food, entertainment, utilities, and transportation. Read on to know more!
Location | Baltic coast of northern Poland |
Population | 470,000 people |
Major Industries | Maritime, shipbuilding, petrochemical, IT, tourism, and services |
Top Universities | Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk University of Technology, and University of Gdańsk |
Also Read: Cheapest European Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students in 2023
This Blog Includes:
Why Study in Gdańsk?
Apart from the affordable cost of living in Gdańsk, there are other reasons why international students should choose this city to study abroad. Some of them are as follows:
- Gdańsk has some of the best universities in Poland and in Europe, offering a wide range of programs in various fields of study like the Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk University of Technology, and University of Gdańsk.
- The city has a moving and complex history reflected in its architecture, museums, and monuments. You can learn about the city’s role in major world-altering events and visit places of historic importance.
- With a vibrant and diverse culture, Gdańsk offers plenty of opportunities for entertainment, leisure, and socializing through the city’s festivals, concerts, theatres, cinemas, galleries, and museums.
- Gdańsk is the best choice if you want to appreciate nature in its full glory and have a thing for outdoor activities, sports, and relaxation. The city has plenty of beaches, parks, gardens, forests, sports facilities, bike paths, and water attractions.
Cost of Living in Gdańsk
The average monthly cost of living in Gdańsk for a single person is 2,854.7zł (zloty) without rent. The following table shows the different types of average monthly living costs in Gdańsk that a student can expect:
Category | Average Monthly Cost (in PLN) |
Rent | 2,153 zł |
Food | 1,000 zł |
Entertainment | 500 zł |
Utilities | 300 zł |
Transportation | 200 zł |
Total | 4,153 zł |
Let’s explore these living costs in further detail
Living Accommodation
One of the first and most important costs of living in Gdańsk that students need to plan for is the cost of accommodation they are going to be living in. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre is 2,153 zł. The rent varies with the location, size, condition, and facilities of the apartment. The following table shows the average monthly rent for different types of student accommodations in Gdańsk:
Type | Average Monthly Rent (in PLN) |
One-bedroom apartment outside the city centre | 2 153 zł |
One-bedroom apartment inside the city centre | 3 000 zł |
Shared room outside the city centre | 800 zł |
Shared room inside the city centre | 1 000 zł |
Dormitory room | 500 zł |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Budapest
Food
The second important cost of living in Gdańsk to figure out is food. The average monthly cost of food for a single person is 1,000 zł. The food cost will vary depending on your dietary preferences, cooking habits, and eating out frequency. The following table shows some grocery items along with their monthly costs in Gdańsk:
Item | Monthly Cost (in PLN) |
Milk (1 liter) | 15 zł |
Bread (500 g) | 12 zł |
Eggs (12) | 15 zł |
Cheese (500 g) | 15 zł |
Chicken (1 kg) | 13 zł |
Rice (1 kg) | 9 zł |
Potatoes (1 kg) | 3 zł |
Tomatoes (1 kg) | 14 zł |
Apples (1 kg) | 4 zł |
Bananas (1 kg) | 6 zł |
Oranges (1 kg) | 8 zł |
Coffee (250 g) | 20 zł |
Tea (100 bags) | 10 zł |
Sugar (1 kg) | 4 zł |
Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 3 zł |
Coke (2 liter bottle) | 7 zł |
Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | 4 zł |
Wine (750 ml bottle) | 34 zł |
Entertainment
After food and rent, this is probably the most crucial cost of living in Gdańsk for students (maybe even first after a long and tiring week of study!). The average monthly cost of entertainment for a single person is 500 zł, which can vary depending on your hobbies, interests, and social activities. The following table shows some types of entertainment along with their monthly costs in Gdańsk:
Type | Monthly Cost (in PLN) |
Cinema ticket | 25 zł |
Theatre ticket | 50 zł |
Museum ticket | 20 zł |
Concert ticket | 100 zł |
Gym membership | 100 zł |
Swimming pool entry | 15 zł |
Bowling game | 20 zł |
Pub meal | 30 zł |
Pub drink | 10 zł |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Leicester
Utilities and Bills
Admittedly one of the most dreaded costs of living in Gdańsk and everywhere else in the world, the average monthly cost of utilities and bills for a single person is 300 zł. This cost may vary depending on the size, condition, and location of your accommodation, as well as your usage and consumption. The following table shows the different types of utilities and their costs in Gdańsk:
Type | Cost (in PLN) |
Electricity, heating, water, garbage (for a one-bedroom apartment) | 250 zł |
Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) | 46 zł |
Mobile phone plan (with calls and 10GB+ data) | 30 zł |
Transportation
The average monthly cost of getting from point A to B (transportation) for a single person is 200 zł. This cost will depend on the distance, frequency, and mode of your travel. The following table shows the different modes of transportation along with their monthly charges in Gdańsk:
Mode | Charge (in PLN) |
One-way ticket (local transport) | 3.8 zł |
Monthly pass (local transport) | 110 zł |
Taxi start | 8 zł |
Taxi 1 km | 2.4 zł |
Gasoline (1 liter) | 5.5 zł |
Gdańsk is a great city to study abroad, offering a high-quality education, a rich culture, beautiful scenery, and an affordable cost of living. The average monthly cost of living in Gdańsk for a single person is around 4,153 zł, which covers the main expenses such as accommodation, food, entertainment, utilities, and transportation.
Of course, the actual cost of living may vary depending on your personal lifestyle and preferences. However, with some planning and budgeting, you can enjoy your student life in Gdańsk without breaking the bank.
Also Read: Cost of Living in Liverpool: A Guide
FAQs
The cost of living in Gdansk is affordable compared to other European cities, with an average monthly cost of 2,854.7zł for a single person.
Yes, Gdańsk is considered one of the top European cities for expats, digital nomads and entrepreneurs.
Gdańsk is relatively English-friendly, especially among the younger generation and the students. You can find many signs, menus, and information in English, and communicate with most people in English. However, learning some basic Polish words and phrases can be helpful and appreciated.
We hope that this blog provides you with all the information regarding the cost of living in Gdansk, overall and otherwise. For more such content on student life abroad, keep following Leverage Edu. Thank you for reading!