✦ Cost of living
Dublin
Dublin, Ireland
US = 100
In plain terms: Dublin is about 35% pricier than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $2,200/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing176+76%
- Food & groceries120+20%
- Transport110+10%
- Utilities122+22%
- Healthcare110+10%
- Goods & services120+20%
Is Dublin expensive?
Yes — Dublin is one of the expensive ones. Its cost-of-living index is 135 against a US average of 100, so a month here runs about 35% more than in a typical US city. Housing does most of that damage; the rest of the basket follows it up.
Of the 87 cities we track, Dublin ranks #3 by overall cost — 84 of them are cheaper.
What a month in Dublin costs
One person
$3,880/mo
A one-bedroom outside the centre, modest everyday spending.
Couple
$5,400/mo
A one-bedroom in the centre, two adults sharing the bills.
Family of four
$9,570/mo
A three-bedroom in the centre, two adults and two children.
| Monthly line | One person | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,700 | $2,200 | $4,200 |
| Food & groceries | $550 | $800 | $1,340 |
| Transport | $660 | $970 | $1,630 |
| Utilities | $240 | $370 | $610 |
| Healthcare | $310 | $450 | $760 |
| Goods & services | $420 | $610 | $1,030 |
| Total per month | $3,880 | $5,400 | $9,570 |
Estimates, not quotes. Rent comes from this city's own figures; every other line is a US-average household basket (shaped by the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey) scaled by this city's category index. Your own total moves with the neighbourhood, your habits and whether you run a car. How we calculate these figures →
Good to know before you move to Dublin
Europe's English-speaking tech HQ (Google, Meta, Stripe) — great jobs, but a genuine housing crunch.
- Currency
- Euro (€ EUR)
- Languages
- English, Irish
- Time zone
- UTC+0
- Internet
- 100 Mbps
- English
- Native language
- Safety
- 55/100
- Climate
- ❄ 5°C · ☀ 16°C · 70 sunny days/yr
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Power
- G · 230V
- Driving
- Left-hand side
- Popular areas
- City Centre · Rathmines · Portobello
About
Europe's English-speaking tech HQ (Google, Meta, Stripe) — great jobs, but a genuine housing crunch.
- Currency
- Euro · EUR
- Languages
- English, Irish
- Coordinates
- 53.35, -6.26
- Emergency
- 112
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
40%
Income tax
progressive
23%
VAT / sales
4%
Social (employee)
12.5%
Corporate
33%
Capital gains
$3,300
Avg net salary
per month
Plus USC and PRSI.
Visas & residency
Critical Skills Employment Permit for in-demand roles.
✈ Common Travel Area with UK; visa-free short stays for many.
Permanent residence after ~5 yrs. Citizenship after ~5 yrs.
Quality of life
Quality of life
68/100
Safety
55/100
Healthcare
74/100
Pollution
30/100
Internet
100 Mbps
Jan avg
+5 °C
Jul avg
+16 °C
Sunny days
70/yr
Walkability
78/100
Public transit
65/100
Family-friendly
64/100
Living there
- English spoken
- Native
- Expat community
- Large
- Coworking spaces
- 50
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Minimum wage (EU + Türkiye): Eurostat earn_mw_cur, 2026-S2 · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
Can you live in Dublin without a car?
73/100
Car-free score
78/100
Walkability
65/100
Public transport
Mostly — at 73/100, Dublin handles everyday trips on foot and by public transport, but a car still helps for weekend trips, bulk shopping and anything outside the built-up core.
Transport in Dublin indexes at 110 against a US average of 100 — about 10% more expensive than a typical US city. That line covers fares, fuel and running a vehicle, so it is the one that moves most when you drop the car.
Dublin ranks #36 of 87 cities we track for walkability. See the most walkable cities →
The car-free score is our own composite: 60% walkability, 40% public transport, both on a 0–100 scale. Like the rest of our quality-of-life figures, they are calibrated estimates, not official statistics.
Cost of living in Dublin — in your currency
- 1-bed rent, city centre$2,200
- 1-bed rent, outside centre$1,700
- Inexpensive meal$20
- Monthly transit pass$110
- Utilities (monthly)$220
Converted from USD at approximate rates (2026-09).
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? Frequently asked questions
Is Dublin, IE expensive to live in?
Dublin, IE's cost-of-living index is 135 (US average = 100) — about 35% more expensive than a typical US city — and it ranks #3 of the 87 cities we track. On our estimates one person needs around $3,880 a month and a family of four around $9,570, rent included.
How much does it cost to live in Dublin, IE?
Dublin, IE's cost-of-living index is 135 (US average = 100) — about 35% more expensive than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $2,200 per month.
What are the average living costs in Dublin, IE?
Living costs in Dublin, IE are about 35% more expensive than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 135 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $2,200. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Dublin, IE?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $2,200 per month, and around $1,700 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in Ireland?
Ireland has a top income-tax rate of 40% and a VAT or sales tax of 23%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Dublin, IE?
Dublin, IE averages around +5 °C in January and +16 °C in July, with roughly 70 sunny days a year.
Is Dublin, IE safe?
Dublin, IE scores 55 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
Can you live in Dublin, IE without a car?
Dublin, IE scores 73/100 on our car-free score — 78/100 for walkability and 65/100 for public transport. The higher the score, the more of daily life you can cover on foot or by transit instead of paying to run a car.
❖ Compare Dublin with…
★ Ranked in
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.