Cost of living in Dublin

As more and more companies choose Dublin as their base in Europe, employment opportunities continue to rise, which means many expats are flocking to the Irish capital. A word of caution to those looking to move to the Emerald Isle, though: the massive influx in recent years means life in Dublin doesn’t come cheap. A relatively small city, Dublin has limited space, and the enormous demand versus supply is causing housing costs, among other expenses, to skyrocket.

The Mercer Cost of Living City Ranking for 2024 confirms this, ranking Dublin as the 41st most expensive city out of the 226 cities surveyed worldwide. That said, the average salary in Dublin is quite high, meaning you can afford to enjoy a high quality of life there.

Cost of accommodation in Dublin

The cost of accommodation will be your most significant expense, and you’ll have to budget carefully before deciding where to live. This is mainly due to a massive spike in demand in recent years and low availability of housing, which has seen some locals pack up and leave as they simply can’t afford it any more. Many young people who want to live in the city centre choose to do house-shares, but even this option comes at a premium.

Prices are gentler further from the city centre, but they aren’t cheap even then. As you can imagine, competition for spaces is stiff. Once you see something you like and can afford, you should have your documentation and deposits ready to snap it up before someone else does.

Cost of transport in Dublin

Dublin is such a compact city that if you elect to stay in its city centre, you may even find that you can get around on foot. If you are less keen on walking, you can make use of the city’s extensive transport network, which includes bus, Luas, DART and train networks. Using these regularly can become expensive though, so purchasing weekly, monthly or even annual passes is recommended to bring down costs. Ride-hailing services are also helpful, but costs for these can also mount.

There’s little need to drive a car in Dublin, seeing as it’s so tiny, not to mention the associated headaches of owning a vehicle, such as finding parking, parking costs, and traffic congestion.

Cost of groceries in Dublin

Depending on your lifestyle, food can be mildly expensive to astronomical in Dublin. The price of groceries varies, depending on which shop you buy them from, and buying imported goods will push up the costs. You can reduce your monthly grocery bills by buying in bulk and stocking up on seasonal produce, which typically costs less than out-of-season and imported goods.

Cost of entertainment and eating out in Dublin

If you live a busy social life and like eating out a lot, you should be prepared to pay a steep price for the pleasure. Dublin pub and restaurant prices have climbed steadily in the last few years, and if you enjoy a night out on the town, you should budget carefully.

Outdoor and fitness enthusiasts in Dublin will also not lack entertainment options despite the near-constant wet weather. You can visit Phoenix Park or Dublin Zoo to enjoy nature in an enclosed space. It’s also possible to kayak, hike, or swim, all at little to no cost.

Cost of education in Dublin

Public education in Dublin, and Ireland in general, is free to all children residing in the country, including expats. And, because of the high education standards in the city’s public schools, most expats will elect to send their children to one of these. Although tuition is free, you may be expected to pay for things such as uniforms, books, extracurriculars, and field trips.

On the other hand, tuition for private and international schools in Dublin can be rather costly. If you want your child to continue the same curriculum as your home country by sending them to an international school, we recommend you negotiate with your employer for an education allowance.

Cost of healthcare in Dublin

Public healthcare in Dublin is free or subsidised. Even so, many expats may still choose to use private health facilities, as employers will often subsidise health insurance or even cover it in full. If you plan to use private healthcare in Dublin, ensure you have the necessary insurance plan before moving to the city.

Cost of living in Dublin chart

Note that prices may vary depending on location and service provider. The prices listed are average prices for Dublin in July 2024.