Dormitory or Renting a Flat — A Full 2026 Cost Comparison

The question comes back every year, and the answer shifts along with the market. Rental prices in Poland have risen sharply — is a dormitory still the more expensive choice?

Let's look at the hard numbers for February 2026.

Average rental prices for flats — Otodom February 2026

According to the Otodom Analytics report for February 2026:

• Warsaw: PLN 4,807/month
• Tricity: PLN 3,177/month
• Kraków: PLN 3,148/month
• Wrocław: PLN 3,115/month
• Poznań, Lublin, Łódź: PLN 2,200–2,900/month

These are rents only — without utilities, deposit, internet, or move-in costs (furniture, appliances).

The real cost of renting a flat

To the average rent, add:

• Utilities (electricity, gas, water, heating): PLN 300–600/month
• Internet: PLN 50–80/month, if not included
• Deposit: 1–2 months' rent up front when signing the contract
• Furnishings: flats often come without appliances or furniture

The real cost of a 30 m² flat in Warsaw: PLN 3,000–3,500/month net + a one-off deposit of PLN 5,000–10,000 to start.

A private dormitory — the all-in fee

In a private dormitory, the monthly fee is most often "all-in":

• a room or studio
• utilities (electricity, water, heating)
• internet
• 24/7 security
• access to a gym, study areas, common rooms
• cleaning of common areas

Prices from (all-in):

• Warsaw: PLN 1,800 (Student Depot Suwak) — PLN 3,400 (Noli Studios premium)
• Kraków: PLN 1,500 (SHED twin) — PLN 3,500 (premium)
• Wrocław: PLN 2,209 (Tribera Fabryczna) — PLN 3,500
• Łódź: PLN 1,300 (Basecamp Rewolucji Shared Mezzanine) — PLN 3,220
• Poznań: PLN 1,700 (Student Depot Polonez) — PLN 3,049 (The Eagle Studio+)
• Gdańsk: PLN 1,910 (Student Depot Przymorze)
• Katowice: PLN 1,410 (Basecamp Shared)
• Lublin: PLN 1,310 (Student Depot twin)
• Szczecin: PLN 1,800 (Hussar Loft Kompaktowy)

What you really get

A dormitory isn't just a room — it's an ecosystem.

A rented flat offers: privacy, control over your space, the option to rent together with several people.

A private dormitory offers: infrastructure (gym, coworking, cinema), a ready-made community, professional management, no hidden costs.

Comparison table

Category	Renting a flat	Private dormitory
Monthly price (Warsaw)	PLN 3,000–3,500 realistically	PLN 1,800–3,400 all-in
Deposit	PLN 5,000–10,000	PLN 0–2,000
Utilities	extra	included
Furnishings	often have to buy	provided
Management	on your own	operator
Community	none	ready-made
Safety	depends on location	24/7 security

When a flat makes sense

Renting privately pays off if:

• You're renting with 2–3 friends (you split the costs)
• You value full privacy and independence
• You have the time and energy to manage everything yourself
• Your university is in a hard-to-reach location

When a private dormitory makes sense

A private dormitory pays off if:

• You're studying on your own and want to keep paperwork to a minimum
• You value predictable costs (one fixed amount)
• You want to make friends from day one
• You're an international student (online booking, English language)

Conclusion

In 2026, a private dormitory is a genuine price alternative to renting a flat, especially in the largest cities. Once you add utilities, deposit, and internet, the difference blurs. And the everyday comfort is usually clearly higher in PBSA.

Sources: Otodom Analytics report February 2026, PBSA operator data (audit 2026-05-28), Supabase akademiki.