Is Renting Actually Cheaper Than Buying in Warsaw Right Now?

For many Warsaw residents, the dream of home ownership is being outpaced by the reality of surging prices and interest rates. In July 2026, new data from Otodom and the National Bank of Poland make one thing clear: for the first time in recent memory, renting in central Warsaw often costs less per month than buying an equivalent apartment with a standard mortgage.

Rising Costs Reshape Market Choices

The squeeze comes as Poland faces both external and domestic pressures. PM Agnieszka Kamińska recently warned that economic and security threats from Russia could tighten household budgets in the coming months. At the same time, EU-wide inflation and Warsaw's rapid population growth—particularly with an influx of Ukrainian expatriates and professionals—have driven demand for both rentals and sales.

Prices in prime districts like Śródmieście and Powiśle encapsulate the shift. According to Domiporta's June survey, the average asking price for new flats along ul. Hoża and in Muranów has reached 23,500 zł per square meter—a 12% jump since last summer. Meanwhile, the monthly cost to rent a two-bedroom in these same areas rarely exceeds 6,500 zł.

For a 60-square-meter apartment on ul. Marszałkowska, a typical asking price hovers around 1.4 million zł. Factoring in the current 7.6% average mortgage rate (according to PKO Bank Polski), buying would require a 20% deposit of 280,000 zł. On a 30-year loan, this translates to a monthly repayment of 8,250 zł—over 25% more than average rent for a comparable flat in the same area.

The Numbers Behind Rent vs Buy

These figures are not confined to the city center. Even in high-demand areas like Żoliborz or the rapidly redeveloping Praga-Północ, mortgage payments now routinely exceed market rents by 1,000–2,000 zł per month for modern flats. Analysts at JLL Polska say that the break-even point for buying has shifted outwards: a Warsaw buyer now needs to plan on keeping their property for at least 15 years before seeing a clear financial advantage, especially once transaction taxes and maintenance costs are factored in.

At the same time, some local schemes try to ease the burden. The city-backed Mieszkanie Plus program, for example, offers subsidized rental units in Bemowo and Ursynów, though waiting lists remain long. Private rental agencies report that high demand persists, with new listings on ul. Mokotowska or Wilanowska disappearing in days—a trend not seen at this intensity since the late 2010s.

For anyone weighing their next move, experts advise a hard look at current budgets and risk tolerance. As mortgage rates are unlikely to fall materially before next year, and with city rents remaining relatively stable, many Warsaw residents may find themselves postponing a purchase in favour of continued renting—at least for now.