Polish Cities Ranking: Poznań and Katowice Tied for Best Place to Live

Poznań and Katowice have tied for first place in the latest edition of the Best Cities to Live in Poland ranking, prepared by Business Insider Polska. This is the first time in the history of this ranking that two cities have achieved an identical point score at the top of the list. Poznań returned to the top spot after a break, sharing it with Katowice, which maintained the first place it held in the previous edition. The data used to compile the ranking covers the period around the turn of 2025 and 2026. City livability rankings are published periodically, usually every six months, assessing quality of life based on hard statistical data. In previous editions, single cities such as Katowice or Poznań often topped the list, but never before have two cities achieved an identical point score for first place. The ranking is based on data from the Central Statistical Office and other official state registers.

The ranking methodology is based on the analysis of six key categories: unemployment rate, average salary, housing affordability (price-to-income ratio), access to doctors under the NFZ, crime rate, and air quality. In this edition, Warsaw achieved its historic success, reaching its highest position ever in the history of the ranking. One of the most spectacular rises was recorded by Łódź, which moved from 14th to 10th place. Changes in ranking positions (March 2026 edition): Łódź: 14th place → 10th place; Wrocław: 11th place → 14th place

Lublin placed 11th in the overall ranking, but the city attracted analysts' attention due to record property prices on the secondary market. In prestigious locations such as Śródmieście or Stare Miasto, rates have exceeded the barrier of PLN 20,000 per square meter, placing Lublin among the most expensive cities in the country in terms of apartment purchase costs. Just behind Lublin, in 12th place, is Bydgoszcz. High housing prices relative to earnings remain one of the main factors reducing the quality of life in many provincial centers. 20 tys. (zł/mkw) — price of apartments on the secondary market in Lublin

Wrocław is facing a clear decline in its rating, taking 14th place and losing three positions compared to the ranking from six months ago. The capital of Lower Silesia struggles primarily with high housing prices and poor air quality, which outweighed the benefits of its local job market. The ranking confirms that in 2026, a city's attractiveness is determined not only by high salaries but above all by balanced access to public services and a clean environment. Selected positions in the city ranking (March 2026): 1. Poznań — 1st place ex aequo; 1. Katowice — 1st place ex aequo; 10. Łódź — rise from 14th; 11. Lublin — 11th place; 12. Bydgoszcz — 12th place; 14. Wrocław — drop from 11th