This is how much it costs to escape from the city center. Apartments cheaper by up to PLN 240,000. zloty

In Warsaw, Krakow and Gdańsk, apartment prices have reached levels that are practically unattainable for many young people working in these cities today. Meanwhile, just look at the nearby province and prices start to drop. Just a dozen or so kilometers beyond the administrative borders of the metropolis, you can find similar accommodation even a third cheaper. The differences in the case of two-room apartments reach PLN 200,000-240,000. zloty.

– Young people migrating to the largest cities for work often complain that their own M is beyond the financial reach of average-earning people. This is actually the case in prestigious districts. Apartments are still available in the suburbs, although prices there are rising higher and higher, says Marek Wielgo, an expert at the RynekPierwotny.pl portal.

Metropolises are becoming more expensive than their “obwarzanki”

The analysis of BIG DATA RynekPierwotny.pl data shows that in 2025 in almost every metropolis, the average price of a square meter of apartments increased faster than in suburban agglomerations. The exception is Tricity, where luxury apartments in the center of Gdańsk increased the average by as much as 10 percent, while apartments in the vicinity of the city became cheaper by 3 percent.

In Łódź the situation was different. The oversupply of apartments in the city itself caused the average price per square meter to stabilize. At the same time, developers put only 87 apartments on sale in the city’s surroundings – a 75% increase. less than a year earlier. However, there were five times more people interested, which led to an increase in the prices of available premises by 13%.

– A decline in developer investment activity also occurred in the Poznań area. The reason was partly similar – a record offer of apartments in Poznań itself. However, it was the metropolis that attracted buyers: sales in the city increased, but in the agglomeration it decreased significantly. Despite this, the offer of apartments around Poznań has shrunk, and their average price per square meter has increased by 7%. – notes Marek Wielgo.

In turn, in the Krakow area, developers increased the supply of apartments last year in response to the growing demand and higher prices. As a result, the average price per square meter increased by 6%. In the Warsaw and Wrocław agglomerations, the increases amounted to 8 percent, respectively. and 7 percent

The suburban alternative is still cheaper

One thing does not change – apartments outside the city remain significantly cheaper than in metropolises.

At the end of January 2026, the average price per square meter of new apartments in Warsaw exceeded PLN 19,000. PLN, while in towns near Warsaw it was approximately PLN 11.8 thousand. PLN – over one third less. Similar disproportions are observed in other large agglomerations.

Two-room apartment in the city center or four rooms outside the city?

Two-room apartments are the most popular in cities. In Warsaw they cost on average PLN 798,000. PLN, while a similar apartment outside the city can be purchased for approximately PLN 560,000. zloty. The difference is up to PLN 240,000. zloty.

In Krakow, the average price of a two-room apartment in the center is PLN 740,000. PLN, and outside the city – PLN 466,000. zloty. With a budget of PLN 798 thousand PLN, you can buy a four-room apartment or a small unit near Warsaw.

– Especially young families who need more space and cannot afford a larger space in the city center will increasingly decide to buy an apartment in a suburban location – emphasizes Marek Wielgo.

Price is not everything

The expert notes that both in the city center and its surroundings, apartment prices vary greatly. In the center of Warsaw, a square meter costs on average PLN 40.8 thousand. PLN, while on the outskirts – PLN 14,000. zloty. In towns near Warsaw you can find apartments starting from PLN 9,000. PLN to over 15 thousand PLN per square meter.

– Communication and proximity to kindergartens, schools, service points and shops are key. On the outskirts of cities, infrastructure is usually less developed, which may translate into lower prices, says Wielgo.

Budget 500 thousand PLN – more choice near the city

For many young buyers, the realistic limit is PLN 500,000. zloty. In Warsaw, developers offered 472 apartments in this segment, while in suburban towns – over 1.2 thousand. A larger selection in this segment can also be seen in the vicinity of the Tricity and Kraków, and a smaller one – in Łódź, Poznań and Wrocław.

– Suburban locations will tempt with lower apartment prices for some time. However, it is worth remembering that the decision to move outside the city is not only about the cost per square meter, but also a lifestyle that will last for years. The time and cost of commuting, access to public services and the pace of infrastructure development may determine the real profitability of such a decision – summarizes Wielgo.