Today I want to talk about a very popular and provocative topic: which city is better for doing business – Warsaw or Kraków? I’ll say right away that I can’t objectively evaluate these two cities. I’m sure you can fail or achieve great results in either of them. However, there are still some objective points to consider.
But before that, a little backstory: I’ve been living in Kraków for over 3 years, and I’ve been running a business for the same amount of time. In total, I have more than 6 years of entrepreneurial experience. So, despite the fact that I’ll be sharing my subjective opinion today, I’ve seen a lot and have something to compare it to. Let’s get started!
Cost of Starting a Business
Although taxation in all Polish cities is roughly the same, starting a business in Warsaw is significantly more expensive than in Kraków. Where does the price difference come from? First of all, salaries in the capital are the highest, and, accordingly, the personnel costs are greater. Second, there’s the cost of renting office space. Here in Kraków, you can rent a small (room-sized) office near the center for 2.5 thousand zlotys. In Warsaw, with the same amount of money, you’ll hardly find anything in the old town.
Pace of Life in Warsaw and Kraków
Many compare Warsaw to big cities. For example, I’m from Ukraine and compare Warsaw to Kyiv. We’re talking about a large, dynamic city with a fast pace of life. Here in Kraków, no one is in a hurry; everything is very relaxed. Someone might ask, “What does the city have to do with it? I can be in Gdańsk, where it’s cold, and still be super positive and active, or, on the other hand, slack off in Warsaw.”
The answer is simple – the people around you, they gradually shape you, they influence you. The rhythm in Warsaw has always been and will always be like this. You can’t fake it or replace it. Every day, you see new startups emerging, someone achieving greater results than you, and new types of businesses opening and closing. Being in this atmosphere, you feed off the energy and are constantly doing something. In short, the pace in Warsaw is great.
Kraków is Closer to Ukraine
If you look at the map, you’ll see that Kraków is much closer to Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus than Warsaw. This is undoubtedly an advantage if your business involves import-export or if you need to cross the border frequently. Transfers and waiting at the border not only waste invaluable time but also throw you off track. From Kraków, this problem feels less acute.
Larger Market
We all understand that there are more opportunities in Warsaw than in Kraków. For example, when I was targeting for one of my advertising campaigns, I found about 14,000 women in Kraków who met the client’s criteria. In Warsaw, with the same criteria, there were three times more people. What does this give? A larger market reach, more money, and bigger checks. I think the benefits are clear.
Big Village vs More Opportunities
Kraków is a very dense city. Here, within a few handshakes, you can find and contact the people you need. In Warsaw, due to the larger distances, the situation is different. There is a greater sense of alienation and distance between people. However, if we look at Warsaw, we see a large number and density of events.
In Warsaw, you can go to networking events every day. In Kraków, you can too, but you have to make an effort. For example, in the capital, I can attend 7 business-related events. In Kraków, such variety isn’t available; at most, you get generic events on broad topics. In short, Warsaw has an immense number of events. You have many options to choose from, and you physically can’t keep up with all the events.
Let’s Summarize
Kraków is a soulful city where everyone knows each other. Warsaw, on the other hand, is a city of huge opportunities. There are more startups, more coworking spaces, and more infrastructure to create your own business. I like both cities, but each one is good in its own way. Therefore, the question of “Where to open a business in Poland?” remains open. Share your opinion on this topic. Every comment you make will be valuable.
