Business Insider compared 16 Polish cities in terms of income levels, housing prices, access to treatment, safety, air cleanliness and another key criteria. Warsaw and Krakow, which the publication calls "a Polish visit", were only in the mediate of the list.
The Polish economy is gaining momentum, price increases are no longer as noticeable as a year or 2 years ago, and wages are inactive rising. The average resident of the country has a job, due to the fact that according to statistic the unemployment rate is only 5%, earns over PLN 8,000 gross, has an flat of 75 sqm, and the household spends over PLN 4,000 on vacation.
In the erstwhile edition of the list of the best cities to live in Business Insider magazine, representing the state at the turn of 2023/2024, Olsztyn was the unexpected leader, followed by Lublin and Gdańsk. Warsaw was placed in the mediate of the draft and Krakow in 4th place.
Ranking Leaders
Now we see the large changes and the return of Poznań to the first place, due to the fact that the capital of Wielkopolska already held the leading position a year ago. The second place is taken by Gdańsk and Łódź and the second place is taken by Katowice.
The last seats are Gorzów Wielkopolski and Białystok.
Points assigned to cities in infographics are the sum of ranking places occupied by these cities in six categories analysed. The lower the value, the better the score.
Leaders' strengths and weaknesses
The success of Poznań in the ranking is the consequence of deficiency of weak points. In each of the analysed aspects, Poznań ranks in the first eight. If you look for the biggest faults, you can see the shortages of doctors, due to the fact that under this parameter the city gives way to the largest group of competitors.
The second place in the ranking is taken by Gdańsk, the air quality leader, has any of the highest wages, and residents have comparatively easy access to medical care. The weaknesses of the city are: costly housing and a advanced level of crime.
Together with Gdańsk Łódź takes place on the podium. The city has a good ratio of housing prices to wages, a low level of crime and a adequate number of doctors. The low point of Łódź is unemployment.
Immediately after Gdańsk and Łódź Katowice appears. The city is ahead of competition due to the lowest rate of unemployment and average housing prices.
Assessment of surprises
Szczecin, who previously held ninth place, is now in 5th position together with Wrocław and Rzeszów (the same number of points). This is an example of a good ‘average’ that does not stand out in any of the six categories, but besides has no serious shortcomings, although it does not rank in the top 10 in terms of unemployment and availability of doctors.
Warsaw and Kraków
Poland's visits inactive face many problems. Above all, we are talking about housing prices, as well as safety and wellness protection, which is linked, among another things, to the size and size of the population.
Last places
"King" of the lower part of the list remains Białystok. Against the background of another cities, the capital of Podlasie is characterized by the highest unemployment and lowest wages. It would seem that, like another cities, there should be comparatively cheaper housing here, but in this respect Białystok has mediocre indicators. There are besides serious problems with the availability of doctors. However, the inhabitants of Białystok have 2 reasons to be arrogant – fresh air and safety. According to these 2 indicators, Białystok ranks second.
The second place from the end is Gorzów Wielkopolski.
Assessment methodology
All statistic come from authoritative sources whose data are regularly published by trusted organisations and are available to everyone. We are talking about data from the Central Statistical Office (unemployment, average salary, crime), the National wellness Fund (number of doctors), the Central Environmental Protection Inspectorate (air quality) and the Morizon portal (house prices).
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The ranking of the best cities to live in Poland was created – Warsaw took only ninth place
