City Comparison

Dublin vs Meridian

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Dublin

Ireland
104
Average
$470,000
Median Home
$2,125/mo
Median Rent
$56,000
Median Income

Meridian

Idaho
120
Above Average
$509,000
Median Home
$1,725/mo
Median Rent
$99,700
Median Income

The Verdict

13.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 13.3%, with Dublin being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Dublin has equivalent purchasing power to $86,538 in Meridian.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
128
Dublin
154
Meridian
Groceries
95
Dublin
104
Meridian
Utilities
110
Dublin
86
Meridian
Transportation
108
Dublin
113
Meridian
Healthcare
82
Dublin
103
Meridian

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Dublin has the same purchasing power as $86,538 in Meridian.

Conversely, $75,000 in Meridian equals $65,000 in Dublin.

Living in Dublin vs Meridian

Housing Costs

Dublin's housing index of 128 is lower Meridian's 154, translating to median home prices of $470,000 vs $509,000. The $39,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,532 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Dublin compared to $1,725/mo in Meridian, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Dublin and 104 in Meridian. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Dublin vs $494/month in Meridian. Dublin offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 110 in Dublin and 86 in Meridian. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Dublin vs $344 in Meridian. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 82 in Dublin and 103 in Meridian. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,000 in Dublin and $99,700 in Meridian. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,846 and $83,083 respectively. Meridian residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,307/month to housing in Dublin vs $2,326/month in Meridian. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Meridian, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dublin is 13.3% more affordable overall with an index of 104 vs 120.
A $75,000 salary in Dublin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $86,538 in Meridian, based on the cost of living difference.
Dublin's housing index is 128 with median homes at $470,000, while Meridian's is 154 with median homes at $509,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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