Mortgage or Rent? In Most Cities, Mortgage Payments Are Now Lower Than Rent

The current situation on the Polish real estate market redefines the dilemma of choosing between ownership and renting. The latest data from February 2026 shows that in the vast majority of Polish metropolitan areas, repaying a mortgage is now less of a burden on the household budget than paying rent to a landlord. This phenomenon has affected 14 out of 17 analyzed urban centers. The largest savings from owning their own apartment are recorded by residents of Szczecin, Radom, and Sosnowiec, where the difference in favor of a mortgage exceeds 600 PLN monthly. The stabilization of net rental rates, especially visible in the segment of studio and two-room apartments, coupled with a decrease in the cost of money, is changing the perspective of potential buyers. In the years 2022–2023, following a sharp rise in interest rates in Poland, the rental market was besieged, and mortgage installments could be twice as high as rents, which froze demand for apartment purchases by individual clients. Despite the nationwide trend, there are enclaves where renting remains cheaper. This group includes Kraków, Gdańsk, and Katowice. Experts emphasize that the decision to purchase should not be based solely on simple financial calculations. Key factors are creditworthiness, employment stability, and long-term life plans. An additional factor is the supply of apartments – the number of new rental listings increased by one-third month-over-month, which may soon curb further fee increases. As noted by Marcin Drogomirecki from the Morizon-Gratka Group, location remains the most important parameter determining the profitability of both solutions. „Simple mathematics allows us to verify what often remains merely speculative and to indicate where it is truly worthwhile to invest in one's own four walls.” — Marcin Drogomirecki From a market perspective, the rental sector remains least predictable in cities with the highest saturation of tourism and students. There, rental profitability for owners remains high, which hinders price drops for tenants. Conversely, in cities with an industrial profile, like Sosnowiec, the advantage of a mortgage over renting becomes indisputable, which may stimulate local investment demand. Difference between mortgage installment and rental cost: Szczecin: 600, Radom: 620, Sosnowiec: 650, Poznań: 320, Warsaw: 150 14 out of 17 — cities indicate the superiority of mortgage over rent Comparison of rental and purchase costs: Cheapest option in 14 cities: Renting an apartment → Mortgage; Number of rental offers: December lull → Increase of 33% m/m