Bydgoszcz jumps five places to fifth in Poland’s 2026 city ranking, report shows

Bydgoszcz has climbed five places to rank fifth among Poland’s best cities to live in the 2026 edition of a national ranking, according to a report by Business Insider Polska.

The city’s rise follows a sharp jump from tenth place in the previous year’s edition, marking an unprecedented shift in the ranking’s history. Business Insider Polska compiled the list using a broad set of indicators covering economic, social, and environmental factors.

Economic data released with the ranking shows that in June 2026 the unemployment rate in Bydgoszcz stood at 2.8 percent, based on figures from the Central Statistical Office (GUS). Average gross wages in enterprises with at least nine employees reached 8,664 zloty. While the unemployment rate rose slightly compared with the prior ranking, average wages fell.

Housing affordability also came under scrutiny. The average price of a second-hand apartment in June 2026 was 8,775 zloty per square metre, according to data from the Morizon.pl portal. This meant that the typical resident could purchase about 0.99 square metres of housing for each zloty of average monthly wage.

Environmental and health indicators were included in the assessment. Between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, the average daily concentration of PM10 particulate matter in Bydgoszcz was 24.18 micrograms per cubic metre, below the World Health Organization guideline of 50 micrograms. The report notes that lower PM10 levels reduce risks of respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis.

Access to publicly funded healthcare was another focus. In August 2026, the average waiting time to see a specialist under the National Health Fund (NFZ) in Bydgoszcz was about 87 days, though the report highlights wide variation across medical specialties.

Public safety data for the first quarter of 2026 showed 1,971 recorded offences in Bydgoszcz. When adjusted for population size, this equated to an average of 6.1 offences per 1,000 residents during the period.

Reported by Business Insider PL.