Co-Living vs Renting Alone in Poland: Which Saves You More?

Introduction: The Biggest Financial Decision You Will Make in Poland

If you are moving to Poland -- whether as a student, expat, or digital nomad -- one question will shape your finances more than almost anything else: should you share an apartment or rent alone? It sounds simple, but the answer involves real money. We are talking about differences of 1,100 to 1,600 PLN every single month, depending on the city.

This guide puts hard numbers on the table. We have calculated the true total monthly cost of shared living versus solo renting across all eight major Polish cities -- Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, Gdansk, Poznan, Lodz, Katowice, and Lublin -- factoring in not just rent but utilities, internet, and administration fees. No vague estimates, no hand-waving. Just the math.

Beyond the numbers, we also explore the social benefits that make co-living more than just a budget hack, the situations where renting alone genuinely makes more sense, and how Domkaspot's personality-based matching takes the uncertainty out of finding flatmates. Whether you are trying to stretch an Erasmus grant or simply want to understand where your money goes, this comparison will help you make an informed decision.

Cost Comparison Table: All 8 Polish Cities

The pattern is consistent across every city: sharing an apartment saves you between 1,120 and 1,587 PLN per month compared to renting a studio alone. Compared to a one-bedroom apartment, the savings are even larger -- between 1,620 and 2,287 PLN monthly. These are not marginal differences. Over a 12-month lease, the savings add up to between 13,440 and 19,044 PLN.

Notice that the savings are not just about cheaper rent. When you share, your portion of utilities (electricity, heating, water), internet, and the czynsz administracyjny (building administration fee) drops dramatically because the total is split among flatmates. This is the hidden advantage that most people overlook when comparing listed rent prices. For a deeper look at how these additional costs work, see our guide to Polish utility bills.

Monthly Savings Breakdown: What the Numbers Really Mean

Abstract savings figures are easy to gloss over. Let us make them concrete with three city examples that show what these numbers mean in real life.

What Does Co-Living Actually Look Like in Poland?

If the word co-living conjures images of cramped dormitory rooms and communal bathrooms, set that picture aside. The reality of shared apartments in Poland in 2026 is quite different from what many newcomers expect.

A typical shared apartment in Poland has 2 to 4 private bedrooms, a shared kitchen, one or two bathrooms, and often a shared living room. Each flatmate has their own lockable room with a bed, desk, and wardrobe as a minimum. The shared spaces are used for cooking, socializing, and daily routines. In most Polish cities, these apartments are located in regular residential buildings -- not purpose-built co-living complexes.

The quality spectrum is wide. At the budget end (1,000-1,400 PLN per room), you will find older apartments with basic furnishings, typically in communist-era block buildings that are perfectly functional but not Instagram-worthy. At the mid-range (1,400-1,800 PLN), apartments are usually renovated with modern kitchens and bathrooms. At the premium end (1,800-2,500 PLN), you can find newly built apartments with high-quality furnishings, dishwashers, washing machines, and balconies.

The important thing is that you are not sacrificing your privacy. Your room is your space. The shared areas are where the social life happens -- but only when you want it to. Many flatmates develop routines where they cook together a few times a week and do their own thing the rest of the time. For a comprehensive look at the co-living lifestyle, read our guide to co-living in Poland.

Beyond Cost: The Social Benefits of Shared Living

The financial case for sharing is clear from the numbers above. But for many people who move to Poland, the social benefits end up mattering just as much -- sometimes more.

A built-in social network from day one. Moving to a new country is exciting but also isolating. You do not know anyone, you do not speak the language, and everything from grocery stores to healthcare systems works differently. Having flatmates gives you an immediate circle of people who are going through something similar. They become the people you ask where to buy a SIM card, how to register your address, and whether that landlord's email looks legitimate. This practical support is invaluable during your first weeks and months.

Reduced loneliness -- a real and underestimated issue. Research consistently shows that expats and international students are at elevated risk of loneliness, particularly in the first six months after relocation. Coming home to an empty apartment every evening compounds this. Coming home to a shared living space -- even if you just exchange a few words in the kitchen -- makes a meaningful difference to daily wellbeing. You do not have to become best friends with your flatmates. Just having human presence matters.

Shared knowledge and navigation help. Your flatmates become an informal advisory network. Someone has already figured out how to set up a Polish bank account. Someone knows which doctor speaks English. Someone can explain what that letter from the building administration says. This shared knowledge saves time, reduces stress, and prevents costly mistakes.

Shared cooking and cultural exchange. In many flatshares, communal meals become a regular feature -- not every night, but often enough to enrich daily life. Cooking together is one of the fastest ways to bond with people from different backgrounds, and it also saves money compared to eating alone or ordering delivery.

These are not abstract benefits. When we survey Domkaspot users, social connection ranks as the second most valued aspect of shared living, right after cost savings. For people who came to Poland not knowing anyone, their flatmates often become their closest friends in the country. Explore the social side of shared living on our co-living page.

When Renting Alone Makes More Sense

Shared living is not the right choice for everyone. There are real situations where renting alone is the better option, and it is important to be honest about them.

You are a couple. If you are moving to Poland with a partner, a one-bedroom apartment becomes much more affordable. Split between two people, a one-bedroom in Warsaw costs about 2,190 PLN each -- only slightly more than a shared room, but with complete privacy. For couples, solo renting is often the sweet spot. See our couples apartment guide for more detail.

You work from home full-time and need quiet. If your job requires long hours of focused work and video calls, sharing a kitchen and living room with other people introduces interruptions and background noise. While many remote workers thrive in flatshares (especially those with private, quiet bedrooms), some roles demand a controlled environment that only a solo apartment provides.

You have specific lifestyle needs. If you have a pet, follow strict dietary requirements that need full kitchen control, work unusual hours that would conflict with flatmates' routines, or need accessibility accommodations, renting alone may be necessary rather than just preferred.

You can afford it comfortably. The general guideline is that housing should cost no more than 30% of your net income. If a solo apartment fits within that boundary while still allowing you to save, then the question becomes purely about preference rather than finance. Use our rent affordability calculator to check where you stand.

The key word is comfortably. If renting alone means stretching your budget to 50% or more of your income -- which is common in Warsaw -- the financial strain is rarely worth the extra privacy. In that case, a well-matched flatshare is almost always the smarter financial foundation.

Domkaspot's Approach to Co-Living

Finding a flatmate is easy. Finding a good flatmate -- someone whose habits, schedule, and personality mesh with yours -- is the real challenge. This is exactly the problem Domkaspot was built to solve.

Our platform uses personality-based matching to connect people who are genuinely compatible. Instead of scrolling through anonymous listings and hoping for the best, you complete a profile that captures your living preferences: noise tolerance, cleanliness standards, sleep schedule, social habits, and more. Our algorithm then matches you with people who complement your style.

This is not a gimmick. The science behind compatibility matching draws on established personality research, including Big Five personality traits. The result is flatshares where people actually get along -- where shared living is a positive experience rather than a source of daily friction.

Every listing on Domkaspot is verified, so you know the apartment and the people are real. No scam listings, no ghost profiles, no unpleasant surprises on move-in day. And if you are still on the fence, our roommate compatibility quiz can help you understand your own living style and what to look for in a flatmate.

Whether you are looking for a quiet, professional flatshare or a social, community-oriented household, the platform helps you find exactly the right fit for your lifestyle.

The Hidden Costs of Living Alone

The security deposit difference is particularly striking. Polish landlords typically require two months' rent as a deposit for solo apartments versus one month for a room in a shared flat. In Warsaw, this means putting down 5,600 PLN or more for a studio versus 1,800 PLN for a shared room -- a difference of 3,800 PLN that is locked away for the duration of your lease. For detailed information on deposit rules, see our rental deposit guide.

Furnishing costs catch many first-time renters off guard. While some apartments in Poland come furnished, many studios and one-bedrooms are rented unfurnished or semi-furnished, meaning you need to buy basics like a bed frame, mattress, desk, chair, and kitchen essentials. In a shared apartment, these costs are either already covered by the existing setup or split among all flatmates.

Then there are the utilities you pay even when you are not home. If you travel for work or go home for the holidays, your solo apartment still incurs base utility charges, internet fees, and czynsz. In a flatshare, these costs continue to be split among everyone present, meaning your effective cost drops when you are away.

Real Scenarios: Who Saves What

Numbers are most meaningful when attached to real situations. Here are three profiles that represent common paths to Poland, with annual savings calculated for each.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much cheaper is sharing an apartment in Poland?

Is co-living just for students?

Can couples do co-living?

What if I do not get along with my flatmates?

How do I find good flatmates in Poland?

The Verdict: Shared Living Is Poland's Best-Kept Financial Secret

The numbers do not lie. Across every major city in Poland, sharing an apartment saves you between 13,000 and 27,000 PLN per year compared to renting alone. In a country where the average net salary ranges from 5,000 to 7,500 PLN per month outside Warsaw, that savings represents two to five months of income. It is not a marginal optimization -- it is a fundamentally different financial position.

But the case for co-living goes beyond spreadsheets. The social connection, the shared knowledge, the built-in support network -- these are things that money cannot buy and that make the difference between surviving in a new country and actually thriving there. For newcomers to Poland especially, the transition from isolation to community often starts at the kitchen table in a shared flat.

Of course, shared living only works well when the people work well together. Random flatmate selection is a gamble. That is why Domkaspot exists: to match you with verified, compatible people so that the experience of sharing is as rewarding as the savings.

Ready to see how much you could save? Try our flatshare savings calculator for a personalized estimate, browse available flatmate matches, or search apartments across Poland. Your wallet -- and your social life -- will thank you.