Located in Lesser Poland in the south of the country, Kraków (Cracow) is the second-largest city in Poland after Warsaw. It’s also a tourist center of great importance, a mature IT market with a lot of tech companies present in the city, and one of the most important startup centers in Europe.
IT salaries
The average IT salary in Kraków is PLN 13,000 per month (PLN 156,000 per year). It’s much higher than the minimum threshold (PLN 7,800) required to qualify for an EU Blue Card (a residence permit for high-skilled professionals).
IT salaries in Kraków depending on the specialization (PLN per month):
- Software developer: 6,400 – 16,000
- Front-end developer: 7,780 – 11,000
- Database administrator: 11,000 – 15,000
- System administrator: 8,710 – 11,000
- Project manager: 9,770 – 21,000
- QA engineer: 6,250 – 10,000
- Technical writer: from 6,450
- Security analyst: 11,000 – 17,000
IT salaries in Kraków depending on the experience (PLN per month):
- Junior: 4,500 – 8,000
- Middle: 8,000 – 14,500
- Senior: 13,000 – 19,000
Economy
The unemployment rate in Kraków is 2.0%, which is much lower than the national average of 5.5%. This city is one of Poland’s most important economic centers and the economic hub of Lesser Poland, a region in the south of the country.
Important economic sectors in Kraków include:
- BioInformatics
- Energy
- Gaming development
- Web design services
- Mobile applications
- Pharmaceuticals
- Software development
- Tourism
There are about 50 large multinational companies in the city along with a large number of local IT firms.
The largest technology companies present in Kraków include:
- Cisco Systems
- Comarch
- Google
- IBM
- Motorola
- Nokia Solutions and Networks
- Oracle
- Qumak
- Sabre Poland
- Sygnity
Cost of living
Although the cost of living in Polish cities is more or less the same, property prices can vary significantly with Kraków being the most expensive real estate market in Poland after Warsaw.
The average prices in Kraków (PLN):
- Meal at McDonald’s: 16–27
- Meal at another inexpensive restaurant: 15–35
- Average food basket (milk, bread, eggs, cheese, chicken, apples, potatoes, water, beer): 66
- Monthly fee at a fitness club: 70–130
- Monthly pass: 70–120
- Monthly rent (1 bedroom): 1,200 – 3,500
- Monthly rent (3 bedrooms): 2,000 – 6,000
- Property prices per square meter: 6,000 – 18,000
- Utilities: 400 – 1,060 per month
Travel
Kraków’s airport, John Paul II International Airport Kraków-Balice, serves regular direct flights to the most major cities in the EU as well as to Chicago, Dubai, Kyiv, Tel Aviv, and other destinations.
There are also many train routes from Kraków Central (Kraków Główny) including Amsterdam, Berlin, Budapest, Milan, Paris, Prague, Vienna, and Warsaw.
Entertainment
Kraków is Poland’s capital of culture and one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Famous sights of Kraków and its surroundings include the Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Wawel Castle, Kazimierz, the Wieliczka Salt Mine, former Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz, about 30 museums, and a large number of theaters.
Kraków also hosts many artistic events including the Festival of Polish Music (classical music), Jewish Culture Festival, Kraków Film Festival, Krakow Screen Festival (pop music), Misteria Paschalia (Baroque music), Sacrum-Profanum (contemporary music), and more.