Cost of living comparison

Poland

compared to

United States

Des Moines vs. Krakow (Cracow) Cost of Living Summary

Des Moines is 25.4% more expensive than Krakow (Cracow).

Restaurants: pay 38.3% more in Des Moines
Groceries: pay 57.4% more in Des Moines
Transportation: pay 0.7% less in Des Moines
Housing: pay 15.5% more in Des Moines
Childcare: pay 77.5% more in Des Moines
Entertainment and Sports: pay 39.3% more in Des Moines
Clothing: pay 2.0% less in Des Moines

The cost of childcare, groceries, entertainment and sports, restaurants, and housing in Des Moines are more expensive than in Krakow (Cracow). Expenses including clothing and transportation are lower in Des Moines. Notably, childcare is significantly more expensive in Des Moines.

Planning a move to United States? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes →

Des Moines vs. Krakow (Cracow) Cost Breakdown

If you lived in Des Moines instead of Krakow (Cracow), you would:

Display currency: USD

pay 38.3% more for restaurants

	Krakow (Cracow)	Des Moines
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant	$12.02 PLN47.43	$20.00	+66.4%
Fast food combo meal McDonalds, or similar	$9.72 PLN38.35	$12.00	+23.5%
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz)	$2.53 PLN10.00	$3.00	+18.5%
Bottle of water (11 fl. oz)	$2.38 PLN9.40	$2.49	+4.5%
Average			+38.3%

Krakow (Cracow) vs. Des Moines - Cost of restaurants

Improve prices · Change currency (USD)

pay 57.4% more for groceries

	Krakow (Cracow)	Des Moines
Bread 1 loaf	$1.49 PLN5.90	$2.95	+97.3%
Local cheese (8 oz)	$4.63 PLN18.26	$4.77	+3.2%
Milk (1 gallon)	$4.10 PLN16.19	$3.38	-17.7%
Eggs 1 dozen	$3.89 PLN15.37	$3.93	+0.9%
Boneless chicken breast (1 lb)	$3.52 PLN13.91	$4.39	+24.5%
Apples (1 lb)	$0.60 PLN2.37	$2.01	+235.9%
Bananas (1 lb)	$0.78 PLN3.08	$0.70	-10.7%
Oranges (1 lb)	$0.80 PLN3.17	$2.01	+150.8%
Tomatoes (1 lb)	$1.39 PLN5.49	$1.70	+22.2%
Potatoes (1 lb)	$0.41 PLN1.63	$1.43	+246.2%
Onions (1 lb)	$0.45 PLN1.79	$1.00	+119.4%
Average			+57.4%

Krakow (Cracow) vs. Des Moines - Cost of groceries

Improve prices · Change currency (USD)

pay 0.7% less for transportation

	Krakow (Cracow)	Des Moines
Gasoline (1 gallon)	$6.53 PLN25.78	$3.71	-43.2%
Monthly public transit pass	$33.49 PLN132.21	$58.00	+73.2%
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition)	$30,576.90 PLN121K	$35,052.00	+14.6%
Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles)	$10.48 PLN41.38	$11.94	+13.9%
Average			-0.7%

Krakow (Cracow) vs. Des Moines - Cost of transportation

Improve prices · Change currency (USD)

pay 15.5% more for housing

	Krakow (Cracow)	Des Moines
Internet connection 50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl	$17.57 PLN69.35	$71.15	+304.9%
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area	$926.42 PLN3,656.83	$1,161.80	+25.4%
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center	$727.94 PLN2,873.38	$864.75	+18.8%
Utilities for two (700 sq ft apartment) including electric, gas, water, heating	$252.82 PLN997.96	$143.28	-43.3%
Average			+15.5%

Krakow (Cracow) vs. Des Moines - Cost of housing

Improve prices · Change currency (USD)

pay 77.5% more for childcare

	Krakow (Cracow)	Des Moines
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly	$458.26 PLN1,808.88	$1,183.50	+158.3%
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters	$9,687.47 PLN38,239.19	$11,812.00	+21.9%
Average			+77.5%

Krakow (Cracow) vs. Des Moines - Cost of childcare

Improve prices · Change currency (USD)

pay 39.3% more for entertainment and sports

	Krakow (Cracow)	Des Moines
Domestic/local beer (1 pint)	$4.60 PLN18.17	$5.00	+8.6%
Cappuccino in mid-range area	$4.20 PLN16.59	$6.00	+42.7%
Pack of cigarettes Marlboro or similar	$6.39 PLN25.23	$8.03	+25.6%
Monthly membership at local gym	$45.50 PLN179.58	$63.75	+40.1%
Movie ticket to theater/cinema	$8.69 PLN34.31	$15.00	+72.5%
Average			+39.3%

Krakow (Cracow) vs. Des Moines - Cost of entertainment and sports

Improve prices · Change currency (USD)

pay 2.0% less for clothing

	Krakow (Cracow)	Des Moines
Regular jeans Levi's brand	$97.55 PLN385.07	$60.68	-37.8%
Regular dress from H&M or similar store	$40.65 PLN160.47	$43.33	+6.6%
Running shoes Nike or Adidas	$89.86 PLN354.71	$103.00	+14.6%
Men's business shoes (leather)	$120.34 PLN475.02	$145.78	+21.1%
Average			-2.0%

Krakow (Cracow) vs. Des Moines - Cost of clothing

Improve prices · Change currency (USD)

We average the price of thousands of data points entered by users across the world. Sources: MyLifeElsewhere's cost-of-living dataset (prices updated November 2026). How we calculate this

Compare further: Krakow (Cracow) vs. Des Moines

Salary Calculator · Free tool

What salary would you need in Des Moines?

More cost comparisons

Krakow (Cracow) vs.

Athens

Krakow (Cracow) vs.

Cairo

Krakow (Cracow) vs.

Shanghai

Krakow (Cracow) vs.

London

Krakow (Cracow) vs.

Paris

Krakow (Cracow) vs.

Toronto

Krakow (Cracow) vs.

Madrid

Krakow (Cracow) vs.

Dublin

Share this

Compare countries by overall cost of living

See the cost of living in Poland vs. United States. This provides a comparison of the average cost of living from cities within Poland and United States.

Help us improve these prices

MyLifeElsewhere is a collaborative project. Please enter price information for your location to help assist us in making these comparisons more accurate. Learn more

Add prices for Krakow (Cracow)

Add prices for Des Moines

Ask the Elsewhere Community

Join the Elsewhere community and ask a question about Des Moines or Krakow (Cracow). It's a free, question-and-answer based forum to discuss what life is like in countries and cities around the world.