Szczecin, Lublin, and Bydgoszcz have emerged as the most attractive medium-sized cities in Poland for industrial and warehouse investments, according to the inaugural edition of the “Medium-Sized Cities – Great Investment Potential” report by Accolade. This is the first nationwide ranking focused on Polish cities with populations between 100,000 and 400,000, evaluating their potential in the commercial real estate market—particularly for warehouses and logistics hubs. Rzeszów was highlighted as an up-and-coming “logistics star,” while cities like Częstochowa and Gliwice benefit from the strength of the Silesian automotive industry. Zielona Góra and Gorzów Wielkopolski, in turn, leverage their proximity to Poland’s western border.
Ranking Criteria and Overview
The Accolade ranking examined 10 cities selected from over 30 medium-sized Polish urban centers, assessing them based on nine criteria: demographics, labor market, wages, housing construction, private sector activity, academic resources, road infrastructure, and warehouse demand/supply indicators. Cities could also earn bonus points for locational advantages such as proximity to borders or ports.
“Medium-sized cities have become serious players in the industrial investment landscape,” said Joanna Sinkiewicz, Director of Commercialization at Accolade Group. “They offer growing infrastructure, access to skilled labor, an expanding private sector, and tangible locational advantages. We’re seeing a clear trend of companies moving beyond the largest agglomerations, and Accolade has been a market maker in that space from the start—investing in cities like Bydgoszcz, Zielona Góra, Białystok, and Lublin.”
Top 10 Investment-Attractive Medium Cities
1. Szczecin – 77 points
Topping the list, Szczecin scored highest in road and warehouse infrastructure and earned top marks for its proximity to the German border and a major seaport. The city leads in warehouse market demand and supply, making it one of Poland’s most strategically located industrial hubs.
2. Lublin – 73 points
Lublin stood out as the largest academic center in the ranking, with the highest number of students and strong performance in university count and housing development. Its scientific ecosystem, expanding private sector, and growing residential construction make it a prime destination for services, logistics, and light industry.
3. Bydgoszcz – 60 points
Bydgoszcz secured third place thanks to high private sector activity, a strong housing market, and a well-developed logistics sector. Its central-northern location, infrastructure development, and skilled workforce have helped establish it as a rising logistics and industrial hub.
4. Rzeszów – 59 points
Just missing the top three, Rzeszów earned strong marks for low unemployment, private sector dynamism, and new housing. It’s rapidly growing as a regional logistics and industrial center, particularly important for investors focused on eastern Poland.
“Our top three—Szczecin, Lublin, and Bydgoszcz—are cities where Accolade has already invested significantly and plans to continue doing so,” noted Sinkiewicz. “Rzeszów, meanwhile, is clearly a rising star.”
5. Częstochowa – 58 points
Częstochowa earned high scores for labor market conditions, business growth, and academic infrastructure. Its proximity to the Silesian industrial zone adds further investment appeal.
6. Białystok – 57 points
Białystok excelled in student numbers and housing development. As the capital of the Podlasie region, it is gaining attention for its growing infrastructure and improved accessibility.
7. Kielce – 43 points
Kielce performed well in unemployment, business density, and road infrastructure, making it a favorable location for logistics and manufacturing tenants.
8. Gliwice – 41 points
Home to the Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice benefits from a highly skilled technical workforce and a well-developed road network, attracting industrial and high-tech businesses.
9. Zielona Góra – 26 points
Zielona Góra scored strongly in locational advantages—close to the German border and with improving road infrastructure. It is gaining traction for modern warehouses and distribution centers, especially for western exports.
10. Gorzów Wielkopolski – 20 points
Rounding out the top 10, Gorzów is becoming increasingly attractive due to available investment land, improving infrastructure, and its strategic position near the western border.
“Cities like Białystok, Zielona Góra, and Gorzów are now firmly on the map for commercial investments. Each has unique strengths—from proximity to Germany to a strong automotive sector—and they’re likely to climb higher in future rankings,” said Sinkiewicz.
Methodology
The “Medium-Sized Cities – Great Investment Potential” ranking was initiated by Accolade, an international industrial real estate investor, to identify the top 10 medium-sized Polish cities best positioned for commercial real estate investment. Eligible cities had populations between 100,000 and 400,000 and are considered active targets for commercial property developers and investors.
Each city was evaluated across nine key categories critical to the development of the warehouse and logistics real estate sector:
- Population size
- Unemployment rate
- Average gross monthly wage in the enterprise sector
- Number of completed housing units
- Number of private sector companies
- Number of students
- Number of universities
- Road infrastructure (access to expressways and highways)
- Warehouse data (demand/supply ratio)
Cities could earn up to 10 points per category and an additional 3 points for locational advantages such as proximity to borders, seaports, or multimodal transport. The maximum score possible was 93 points. The final ranking reflects the overall investment appeal of each city from a logistics and industrial real estate perspective.
Data sources included the Central Statistical Office of Poland (GUS), industry reports from consulting firms, university registries, and national road investment data.
Source: ManagerPlus
