Studio vs Shared Apartment: Which Is Right for You?

Monthly Rent Comparison (2026 Averages)

This table compares the average monthly rent for a studio or one-bedroom apartment versus a private room in a shared flat across Poland's eight major cities.

Total Monthly Cost (Including Utilities)

Rent is not the only housing expense. Utilities, internet, and administration fees (czynsz) add significantly to the total. In a shared flat, these costs are split, which further increases the savings.

That is a potential saving of 34,560 PLN per year (approximately 8,100 EUR) in Warsaw alone. Even in cheaper cities like Lodz or Lublin, the annual saving from sharing is 14,000 to 20,000 PLN. Over a two-year stay, the cumulative savings can reach 60,000 to 70,000 PLN -- enough for a down payment on a car or a substantial travel fund.

Pros of a Studio Apartment

For the right person, a studio is the ideal living situation. These advantages are particularly relevant for remote workers, introverts, and people in established relationships.

• Complete privacy and control over your living environment
• No conflicts over cleaning, noise, guests, or shared spaces
• Ideal for working from home -- no distractions
• You can host guests, a partner, or family without coordination
• Decorate and organize the entire space to your taste
• No risk of incompatible flatmates disrupting your life
• Simpler logistics: one lease, one set of bills, no group chats about dishes
• Better for couples -- shared rent between two people makes it more affordable

Cons of a Studio Apartment

The downsides are real, especially for people new to Poland or a particular city.

• Significantly higher cost: 2,000-3,000 PLN more per month than a shared room
• Higher risk of loneliness, especially during the first months in a new city
• You handle all household tasks alone -- cleaning, maintenance, dealing with landlord
• Smaller space per zloty: studios are typically 25-40 square meters
• If you get sick or have an emergency, there is nobody in the next room
• All bills are on you alone -- no sharing internet, electricity, or heating costs
• Less opportunity to practice Polish or make local connections through daily interaction

Pros of a Shared Apartment

The benefits of flatsharing extend well beyond cost savings.

• Dramatically lower housing costs: save 14,000-35,000 PLN per year
• Built-in social network, especially valuable for newcomers to Poland
• Shared household responsibilities -- cooking, cleaning, taking out trash
• Larger living space overall: shared flats are often 60-100+ square meters
• Cultural exchange: many shared flats in Poland are international
• Learn about Polish culture, language, and local tips from flatmates
• Splitting costs for shared items: Netflix, cleaning supplies, kitchen staples
• Safer: someone notices if something is wrong; not coming home alone to an empty apartment

Cons of a Shared Apartment

Flatsharing challenges are real but can be minimized with the right approach and, critically, the right flatmates.

• Reduced privacy -- shared kitchen, bathroom, and living room
• Risk of incompatible flatmates (different schedules, cleanliness standards, noise levels)
• Potential conflicts over bills, cleaning rotation, and shared spaces
• Limited control over when guests visit the apartment
• Compromise on decoration and common area organization
• More complex logistics: group decisions, coordinating repairs, managing shared bills
• Flatmate turnover can be disruptive -- new people moving in and out
• Harder to work from home if shared spaces are noisy

Co-Living Cost and Feature Comparison

Here is how co-living stacks up against the other two options in Warsaw.

You Should Probably Choose a Studio If...

Use this checklist to see if solo living is your best match.

• You are an introvert who recharges by being alone
• You work from home full-time and need a quiet environment
• You are highly sensitive to noise, mess, or disruptions to your routine
• You are in a relationship and your partner will share the space (and cost)
• You have lived with flatmates before and know it does not work for you
• You have a stable income that comfortably covers solo rent
• You already have an established social circle in the city
• You have pets that make sharing impractical

You Should Probably Choose a Shared Flat If...

Flatsharing tends to work best for people who check several of these boxes.

• You are new to Poland or the city and want to build a social network quickly
• You are on a student budget or early in your career
• You are an extrovert who enjoys having people around
• You value saving money for travel, experiences, or future goals
• You are comfortable with compromise and communication about shared spaces
• You spend most of your day outside the apartment (at work, university, or socializing)
• You want to practice Polish or other languages through daily interaction
• You are flexible about your living environment and do not need total control

Scenario Comparison Table

These budgets are based on typical expenses for internationals living in Warsaw in 2026.

Notice how Anna, by choosing a shared flat in Warsaw, can live on roughly half of Tomek's budget while still enjoying a vibrant social life. Tomek's studio gives him privacy and a great work-from-home setup, but he needs more than double Anna's housing budget. Maria's co-living arrangement offers a balance: included utilities, professional cleaning, and a built-in community at a mid-range price point.