Dublin vs London
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dublin
London
The Verdict
Dublin is 9.6% less expensive than London overall. A household earning $75,000 in Dublin would need approximately $82,933 in London to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Dublin has the same purchasing power as $82,933 in London.
Conversely, $75,000 in London equals $67,826 in Dublin.
Living in Dublin vs London
Housing Costs
Dublin's housing index of 128 is lower London's 162, translating to median home prices of $470,000 vs $695,000. The $225,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,628 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Dublin compared to $2,400/mo in London, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Dublin and 92 in London. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Dublin vs $437/month in London. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 110 in Dublin and 112 in London. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Dublin vs $448 in London. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 82 in Dublin and 78 in London. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,000 in Dublin and $55,000 in London. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,846 and $47,826 respectively. Dublin residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,307/month to housing in Dublin vs $1,283/month in London. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In London, median rent of $2,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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