Living in sprawling areas: a cost–benefit analysis in Poland

Abstract Suburbanization still remains the key urbanization process in world. Urban sprawl, as a specific manifestation of suburban morphology, belongs to urban phenomena that is very often studied but ambivalent. The ambivalence assessment results from problems weighing costs and benefits generated by sprawl. At same time, there gap international research on sprawl for households. Therefore, aim this article analyze evaluate household budgets Poland terms potential living an area. hypothesis households causing achieve net budgetary was also adopted. In order verify hypothesis, data Polish purchased Central Statistical Office used, questionnaire survey carried out determine conclusions. not confirmed. analysis evaluation many income expenditure items indicate significant group budget high, while are relatively low. Households relocating zone, striving meet their own needs, do fully take into account all operating expenditures ultimately incur costs.