Kharkiv or Krakow: where is it cheaper to rent a house for Ukrainians in the fall of 2025
17 September 18:49
INFOGRAPHICS
Apartment rent in Poland remains significantly more expensive, despite the rise in prices in Ukraine over the past two years. This is evidenced by the data for August 2025, which was published by the analytical service OLX Real Estate, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
The figures show the difference in rental prices between Ukrainian and Polish cities. The data is important both for internal migrants looking for housing in Ukraine and for those considering relocation to a neighboring country.
Polish prices: Warsaw and Krakow are the most expensive
The cost of rent in Poland is consistently high, especially in large cities. In Warsaw, the median rental price for a one-bedroom apartment is USD 689 per month, for a two-bedroom apartment – USD 891, and for a three-bedroom apartment – USD 1161.
Krakow, which is popular among Ukrainians because of its proximity to the border, has slightly lower, but still significantly high prices: $594 for a one-bedroom apartment, $783 for a two-bedroom apartment, and $945 for a three-bedroom apartment.
A similar price level is observed in Wroclaw, where the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is also $594. A two-room apartment in the city can be rented for $756, and a three-room apartment will cost tenants $945.
Less expensive, but still more expensive than most Ukrainian cities, are Gdansk and Poznan. In Gdańsk, renting a one-bedroom apartment costs $635, and a three-bedroom apartment costs almost $1,000. In Poznan, prices are the lowest among the Polish cities represented: from $513 for a one-bedroom apartment to $810 for a three-bedroom apartment.
Ukrainian realities: a sharp contrast between Kyiv and the regions
In Ukraine, there is a much larger gap between the cost of housing in the capital and the regions. Kyiv remains the most expensive city in Ukraine. The median price of renting a one-bedroom apartment here is $408, which is almost half the price in Warsaw, but significantly higher than in most Ukrainian regional centers. Two-bedroom apartments in the capital cost an average of $720, and three-bedroom apartments cost more than $1,300, which is almost equal to the Polish level.
Lviv, which has become one of the main centers of internal migration since the start of the full-scale invasion, maintains an average price level: $432 for a one-bedroom apartment, $501 for a two-bedroom apartment, and $648 for a three-bedroom apartment. Prices here are significantly lower than in Krakow, although the demand for housing in the city is still high.
Among the southern and eastern cities, Odesa and Dnipro stand out. In Odesa, you can find a one-bedroom apartment for an average of $276, making the city one of the most affordable among major Ukrainian centers. Dnipro is somewhat more expensive – $264 for a one-bedroom apartment, but the price of a two-bedroom apartment is moderate: about $372.
Read also: How the daily rental market in Ukraine has changed: new leaders in 2025
Kharkiv: minimum prices due to proximity to the front
The lowest rental prices were recorded in Kharkiv. The median cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment here is only $108 per month. A two-room apartment will cost an average of $168, and a three-room apartment will cost $240. Such prices are explained by the proximity to the war zone, the high level of risk to life, and the outflow of part of the population.
Economic factors and their impact on the real estate market
Analysts note that internal migration, renewed demand for rental in large cities, and rising utility costs remain the main factors driving up prices in Ukraine. At the same time, the incomes of Ukrainians lag behind the dynamics of price growth, forcing many to look for smaller apartments or share housing with other tenants.
In Poland, the demand for housing from Ukrainians remains high, but rental prices are largely determined by the country’s domestic market. The rising cost of housing maintenance, higher electricity tariffs and inflationary processes are pushing prices up.
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What Ukrainians will choose next
The comparison shows that despite the lower rental prices in Ukraine, the factor of security and economic stability remains crucial for those considering relocation. For some Ukrainians, a higher price in Poland is an acceptable price to pay for security, access to social services and stable infrastructure. For others, staying in Ukraine is the only option because of the more affordable housing costs, even when it comes to renting in big cities.
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