Townleap

Cost of Living: Brighton vs Krakow (2026)

United Kingdom vs Poland — relocation comparison

Your passport:
66
Livability Score
🇬🇧 Brighton
United Kingdom
Full profile
75
Livability Score
🇵🇱 Krakow
Poland
Full profile
Brighton
Krakow
$1894/mo
Rent
$976/mo
66/100
Livability
75/100
86/100
Safety
82/100
Healthcare
58/100
5 yr
PR path
5 yr
Internet
88 Mbps
Sole Trader
Freelance setup

Wise ✓ · Wise ✓

JDG
TL;DRKrakow is 48% cheaper on rent ($976/mo vs $1894/mo). Krakow is safer — homicide rate 0.4 vs 1.1 per 100k. Both are solid options for settling down — the spreadsheet won't save you from this one.
Krakow edges ahead 75 to 66. Brighton isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you.
Household
Brighton
Metric
Krakow
$1894/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$976/mo
$859/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$639/mo
🧳
Cost to land
$4,044
1.1 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
0.4 / 100k
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
25 / 100
20°C
☀️
Summer high
23°C
4°C
❄️
Winter low
-4°C
Internet speed
88 Mbps
🌬️
Air quality (PM2.5)
27.7 μg/m³
8.5 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
7.4 / 10
100/100
🗣️
Street English
68/100
$62k
💼
GDP per capita
$51k
3.3% · Boringly steady
📈
Inflation
3.8% · Boringly steady
66 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
75 / 100
Grid reliability
65/100 — Patchy
🗽
Freedom House
82/100
5 years
📋
Time to PR
5 years
💰
Cost of Living
Krakow
$918/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
Krakow
0.4 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Brighton
8.5/10 EIU index
☀️
Weather
20°C vs 23°C summers

Settler Essentials

Democracy trend
improving
Inflation trend
improving
Industries
software-itbpogame-devtourism
Startup ecosystem
active
Grid reliability
65/100
5 yrs
Time to PR
5 yrs
Moderate
🇺🇸 Your visa
Moderate
Moderate
EU visa
Easy
Complex
RU visa
Moderate
Moderate
UA visa
Easy
Spouse works
Partner can work immediately

Visa stamps:Easy <90 daysModerate 3–6 moComplex 6+ mo

Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals

Reproductive Rights

Because your body shouldn't need a visa too

Abortion access
Life-threatening only

Near-total ban since 2021. Only permitted for life/health threat or rape/incest. One of Europe's most restrictive.

Source: Center for Reproductive Rights

The Short Version

  • Rent is 48% cheaper in Krakow ($976/mo vs $1894/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are slightly warmer in Krakow (23°C vs 20°C).
  • Krakow is safer by homicide rate (0.4 vs 1.1 per 100k).
  • Brighton scores higher on democracy (8.5 vs 7.4 / 10 EIU).
  • Street-level English is easier in Brighton (100/100 vs 68/100).

Brighton vs Krakow — Common Questions

Is Brighton cheaper than Krakow?

Krakow is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $976/month in Krakow vs $1894/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Brighton or Krakow?

Krakow is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Brighton has a rate of 1.12 per 100,000 and Krakow has 0.38 per 100,000.

Should I move to Brighton or Krakow?

Krakow edges ahead 75 to 66. Brighton isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.

Is it easier to get residency in Brighton or Krakow?

Brighton: no specific remote work visa. Krakow: Poland Temporary Residence (moderate requirements, Up to 3 years). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Which has better weather, Brighton or Krakow?

Krakow is warmer in summer (23°C vs 20°C). Brighton has milder summers, which suits those who prefer cooler weather. Climate preference is personal — use the weather section above to compare seasons.

Can I live in Brighton or Krakow without speaking the local language?

Brighton is easier for street-level English (100/100) than Krakow (68/100). That's the score that matters for doctors, landlords, and bureaucracy. Office English can still run higher than street English in both cities.

Don't agree? Take the quiz and see what fits you.

Factor in your salary, family size, weather preferences, and deal-breakers.