Purchasing property is a significant financial decision, and comparing prices between countries can highlight the relative affordability of real estate in different markets. In this article, we’ll examine how many years of average American wages it would take to purchase a 30m² one-bedroom condo in various Polish cities. Using current real estate prices in Poland and the average salary in the USA, we can estimate how much of an average American’s income is required to buy a condo in Poland.
Average Salary in the USA
According to recent data, the average annual net salary in the USA is $41,689. This figure will be used as a benchmark to calculate how many years of salary an American would need to save in order to afford a 30m² one-bedroom apartment in different Polish cities.
Average Price of a 30m² Condo in Polish Cities
The following table presents the cost of a 30m² condo in various Polish cities, based on the average price per square meter:
| City | Price per Square Meter (USD) | 30m² Condo Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Warsaw | $3,626 – $5,440 | $108,780 – $163,200 |
| Kraków | $3,590 – $5,180 | $107,700 – $155,400 |
| Wrocław | $3,590 – $4,400 | $107,700 – $132,000 |
| Gdańsk | $3,900 – $4,400 | $117,000 – $132,000 |
| Poznań | $3,350 – $3,800 | $100,500 – $114,000 |
| Łódź | $2,070 – $2,590 | $62,100 – $77,700 |
| Szczecin | $2,590 – $3,100 | $77,700 – $93,000 |
| Lublin | $2,590 – $3,100 | $77,700 – $93,000 |
| Katowice | $2,300 – $3,100 | $69,000 – $93,000 |
| Bydgoszcz | $2,400 – $3,150 | $72,000 – $94,500 |
How Many Years of Salary Are Needed?
To calculate how many average annual salaries an American would need to purchase a 30m² condo in Poland, we divide the price of the condo by the average annual salary of $41,689.
Warsaw:
- Price Range: $108,780 – $163,200
- Years of Salary:
- Lower range: $108,780 ÷ $41,689 ≈ 2.61 years
- Upper range: $163,200 ÷ $41,689 ≈ 3.91 years
Kraków:
- Price Range: $107,700 – $155,400
- Years of Salary:
- Lower range: $107,700 ÷ $41,689 ≈ 2.58 years
- Upper range: $155,400 ÷ $41,689 ≈ 3.73 years
Wrocław:
- Price Range: $107,700 – $132,000
- Years of Salary:
- Lower range: $107,700 ÷ $41,689 ≈ 2.58 years
- Upper range: $132,000 ÷ $41,689 ≈ 3.17 years
Gdańsk:
- Price Range: $117,000 – $132,000
- Years of Salary:
- Lower range: $117,000 ÷ $41,689 ≈ 2.81 years
- Upper range: $132,000 ÷ $41,689 ≈ 3.17 years
Poznań:
- Price Range: $100,500 – $114,000
- Years of Salary:
- Lower range: $100,500 ÷ $41,689 ≈ 2.41 years
- Upper range: $114,000 ÷ $41,689 ≈ 2.73 years
Łódź:
- Price Range: $62,100 – $77,700
- Years of Salary:
- Lower range: $62,100 ÷ $41,689 ≈ 1.49 years
- Upper range: $77,700 ÷ $41,689 ≈ 1.86 years
Szczecin:
- Price Range: $77,700 – $93,000
- Years of Salary:
- Lower range: $77,700 ÷ $41,689 ≈ 1.86 years
- Upper range: $93,000 ÷ $41,689 ≈ 2.23 years
Lublin:
- Price Range: $77,700 – $93,000
- Years of Salary:
- Lower range: $77,700 ÷ $41,689 ≈ 1.86 years
- Upper range: $93,000 ÷ $41,689 ≈ 2.23 years
Katowice:
- Price Range: $69,000 – $93,000
- Years of Salary:
- Lower range: $69,000 ÷ $41,689 ≈ 1.66 years
- Upper range: $93,000 ÷ $41,689 ≈ 2.23 years
Bydgoszcz:
- Price Range: $72,000 – $94,500
- Years of Salary:
- Lower range: $72,000 ÷ $41,689 ≈ 1.73 years
- Upper range: $94,500 ÷ $41,689 ≈ 2.27 years
Summary of Results
| City | Years of Salary (Range) |
|---|---|
| Warsaw | 2.61 – 3.91 years |
| Kraków | 2.58 – 3.73 years |
| Wrocław | 2.58 – 3.17 years |
| Gdańsk | 2.81 – 3.17 years |
| Poznań | 2.41 – 2.73 years |
| Łódź | 1.49 – 1.86 years |
| Szczecin | 1.86 – 2.23 years |
| Lublin | 1.86 – 2.23 years |
| Katowice | 1.66 – 2.23 years |
| Bydgoszcz | 1.73 – 2.27 years |
Conclusion
An American earning the average salary of $41,689 annually would need to spend between 1.49 and 3.91 years of salary to buy a 30m² condo in Poland, depending on the city. Warsaw and Kraków are the most expensive, requiring close to 4 years of salary, while cities like Łódź and Katowice offer much more affordable options, where the cost is less than 2 years of salary.
Compared to major American cities such as New York, where a condo can cost upwards of $800,000 (nearly 19 years of the average salary), Poland offers significant savings and affordability for those considering buying property abroad.
