⚖️ City comparison
Krakow vs Zagreb
Krakow (Poland) and Zagreb (Croatia), compared on what matters when you move from the US: cost, weather, safety, internet, visas and tax.
The short version
- They cost about the same: $1,803 vs $1,821 a month all-in.
- Rent is lower in Zagreb: $883 vs $931 for a 1-bedroom in the centre.
- Zagreb has more pleasant weather: 7 pleasant months a year vs 5.
- Zagreb is warmer: highs average 4°F more across the year (coldest-month high 43°F vs 39°F in Krakow; hottest 83°F vs 78°F).
- Residents rate Zagreb safer: a safety index of 79 vs 75 out of 100 (Numbeo survey).
- The air is cleaner in Zagreb: PM2.5 of 12.8 vs 17.4 µg/m³ a year.
- Poland has no nomad visa; Croatia has a nomad visa ($2,918/mo).
Side by side
| Measure | 🇵🇱 Krakow | 🇭🇷 Zagreb |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Fit score (default weights) | 76 | 79 |
| 💰 All-in / month | $1,803 | $1,821 |
| 🏠 1BR rent, centre | $931 | $883 |
| 🛒 Living costs, no rent | $872 | $937 |
| ☀️ Pleasant months | 5 | 7 |
| 🌡️ Highs, coldest–hottest month | 39–78°F | 43–83°F |
| 🛡️ Safety | 75/100 (residents) | 79/100 (residents) |
| 📶 Internet, median download | 324 Mbps | 337 Mbps |
| 🌬️ Air, PM2.5 per year | 17.4 µg/m³ | 12.8 µg/m³ |
| 🗣️ English | Very high (EF) | Very high (EF) |
| 🏥 Healthcare access (WHO) | Very high | High |
| 👩 Women's safety & rights | Very high | Very high |
| 🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ equality | Moderate | Moderate |
| ✈️ Flight to the US (est.) | ~9h to New York | ~9h to New York |
| 🕘 US work-hour overlap | 1 h | 1 h |
| 🗓️ Visa-free stay (US passport) | 90 days | 90 days |
| 🛂 Nomad visa | No nomad visa | Digital Nomad Permit |
| 🧾 Tax if resident | 🟡 Moderate · Worldwide income, top 32% | 🟢 Friendly · Worldwide income, top 35.4% |
Best months to be there
🇵🇱 Krakow
4 best months
🇭🇷 Zagreb
2 best months
Colour is each month's typical temperature; ticked months are the most comfortable. Full detail: Krakow climate · Zagreb climate.
Data last updated · Source: Numbeo cost data, measured climate history, Ookla, UNODC/Numbeo safety and curated visa research
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