Cost of Living in Torun 2026 — Housing, Food, Transport and Monthly Budgets

Torun is one of Poland's most charming cities — a UNESCO-listed Gothic old town, a strong university (Nicolaus Copernicus University), and a growing job market. Best of all, it remains significantly cheaper than Warsaw, Krakow, or Wroclaw, making it an attractive base for anyone who values quality of life without the big-city price tag.

This guide breaks down the real cost of living in Torun in 2026, category by category, with concrete numbers and sample monthly budgets.

Housing — Rent and Purchase

Torun's housing market is one of the most affordable among Poland's mid-sized cities.

Renting — a studio apartment (25–35 m²) in the city center costs 1,800–2,500 PLN per month including administrative fees. In neighborhoods like Bydgoskie Przedmiescie or Rubinkowo, prices drop to 1,400–1,900 PLN. A one-bedroom apartment (40–55 m²) in a good location runs 2,200–3,200 PLN.

Utilities — electricity, gas, water, heating, and internet average 600–900 PLN monthly for a studio. Torun uses district heating (MPEC), which provides more stable heating costs compared to gas.

Buying — average price per square meter is 8,500–11,000 PLN (resale market) and 10,000–13,000 PLN (new developments). For comparison, Warsaw averages 15,000–22,000 PLN/m². A 50 m² apartment in Torun costs roughly 450,000–600,000 PLN.

Food and Groceries

Food prices in Torun are close to the national average and lower than in Warsaw or the Tri-City area.

Monthly food budget for one person:

• Cooking at home — 800–1,200 PLN (shopping at Biedronka, Lidl, and local markets)
• Mix of cooking and eating out — 1,200–1,800 PLN
• Eating out regularly — 1,800–2,800 PLN

Sample prices — lunch at a city-center restaurant: 30–50 PLN, coffee at a cafe: 12–18 PLN, beer at a pub: 10–16 PLN, weekly groceries per person: 200–300 PLN.

The Old Town has a surprisingly good dining scene at reasonable prices — from traditional milk bars (bar mleczny) to modern bistros.

Transport

Torun is a compact city where many residents manage without a car.

Public transit (MZK Torun) — a monthly pass costs 98 PLN (full price) or 49 PLN (discounted). The tram and bus network covers most neighborhoods, and commute times from the outskirts to downtown rarely exceed 30 minutes.

Car — monthly costs average 800–1,500 PLN (fuel, insurance, maintenance, parking). Paid parking in the center is cheaper than in large metros — about 3–4 PLN per hour.

Cycling — Torun has an extensive network of bike paths (over 100 km). The Torun City Bike system offers affordable short rides. For many residents, cycling is the primary mode of transport from March through October.

Entertainment and Culture

Torun has a rich cultural life for a city its size.

• Cinema — ticket: 25–35 PLN
• Theater — tickets from 30 PLN
• Gym / fitness — monthly membership: 100–180 PLN (local gyms) or 130–200 PLN (chains like CityFit, Zdrofit)
• Swimming pool — single entry: 20–30 PLN
• Festivals — Torun hosts numerous cultural events, many free (Bella Skyway Festival, Science and Art Festival)

Budget 300–600 PLN per month for entertainment and culture.

Healthcare

Public healthcare — available to those covered by ZUS/NFZ social insurance. Wait times for specialists can be long, but Torun has several quality public facilities.

Private healthcare — a medical package (Medicover, Luxmed, Enel-Med) costs 100–250 PLN monthly. A private specialist visit without a package: 150–300 PLN.

Dentist — checkup and cleaning: 200–350 PLN, filling: 250–450 PLN.

Sample Monthly Budgets

Budget-Conscious (Single Person)

Comfortable (Single Person)

Couple

Torun vs Other Polish Cities

Torun is roughly 25–35% cheaper than Warsaw and 15–20% cheaper than Krakow. The biggest difference is housing — rent in Torun can be up to 40% lower than in the capital. Food and transport prices are close to the national average.

Compared to neighboring Bydgoszcz — the other half of the BiT metropolitan area — Torun is slightly more expensive (5–10%), mainly due to the tourist appeal of the Old Town.

Tracking Your Expenses

Knowing average costs is useful, but tracking your own spending is what builds wealth. Freenance automatically categorizes transactions from Polish banks (mBank, ING, PKO BP) and shows your Financial Freedom Runway — how many months you could live without income at your current spending level. This is especially useful if you're moving to Torun and want to see how lower costs of living tangibly extend your runway.

FAQ

Can you live comfortably in Torun on 5,000 PLN net?

Yes, definitely. On a 5,000 PLN net budget, a single person can comfortably cover a studio rental, food, public transport, and entertainment, with 1,000–1,200 PLN left over for savings. Torun is one of those cities where earning the national average doesn't mean counting every penny.

What is the average salary in Torun?

The average gross salary in Torun in 2026 is approximately 7,500–8,500 PLN gross (5,500–6,200 PLN net). IT and business services (BPO/SSC) offer higher rates — 10,000–18,000 PLN gross. Nicolaus Copernicus University (UMK) is one of the city's largest employers.

Is Torun a good city for remote workers?

Absolutely. Low living costs combined with Warsaw-level or international remote salaries create an excellent environment for building savings quickly. Torun also offers solid infrastructure — fast internet, several coworking spaces, and good rail connections to Warsaw (2.5–3 hours by train). Using Freenance to track how your remote income translates into months of financial runway gives you a concrete picture of your progress.