Warsaw vs Gdańsk
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Warsaw leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Gdańsk where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Gdańsk's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Warsaw | Gdańsk |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 63 | 64 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 44 | 46 |
| Climate | 82 | 83 |
| Safety | 66 | 67 |
| Summer °C | 17.8 | 17.5 |
| Winter °C | -2.4 | -1.6 |
| Top disaster risk | extreme cold / winter | flooding |
Warsaw vs Gdańsk: the short answer
Gdańsk comes out ahead on overall livability (64/100), only marginally above Warsaw (63/100). The two cities diverge most on cost of living. On affordability Gdańsk is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Warsaw 44 vs Gdańsk 46, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Warsaw runs warmer in summer (about 17.8°C peak vs 17.5°C in Gdańsk), while winter lows sit near -2.4°C in Warsaw and -1.6°C in Gdańsk. On natural-disaster exposure Gdańsk is the safer choice (safety 67/100); the dominant modelled hazard is extreme cold / winter for Warsaw and flooding for Gdańsk.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Gdańsk — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Warsaw — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Gdańsk — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Gdańsk — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Warsaw or Gdańsk better to live in?
Gdańsk scores higher overall — 64 vs 63 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Warsaw or Gdańsk?
Gdańsk has the lower cost of living (cost index 46 vs 44; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Warsaw or Gdańsk?
Warsaw — summer highs reach about 17.8°C versus 17.5°C in Gdańsk.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Warsaw or Gdańsk?
Gdańsk (disaster-safety 67/100). Main hazard: extreme cold / winter in Warsaw, flooding in Gdańsk.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Warsaw?
extreme cold / winter is the dominant modelled hazard for Warsaw on our risk index.
How is the Warsaw vs Gdańsk comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.