City Comparison

Dublin vs Salt Lake City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Dublin

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

Salt Lake City

Utah
107
Above Average
$440,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$60,590
Median Income

The Verdict

2.8%

Living in Dublin costs 2.8% less than Salt Lake City. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Dublin, you would need $77,163 in Salt Lake City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
128
Dublin
120
Salt Lake City
Groceries
95
Dublin
99
Salt Lake City
Utilities
110
Dublin
88
Salt Lake City
Transportation
108
Dublin
102
Salt Lake City
Healthcare
82
Dublin
97
Salt Lake City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Dublin has the same purchasing power as $77,163 in Salt Lake City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Salt Lake City equals $72,897 in Dublin.

Living in Dublin vs Salt Lake City

Housing Costs

Dublin's housing index of 128 is higher Salt Lake City's 120, translating to median home prices of $470,000 vs $440,000. The $30,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,956 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Dublin compared to $1,500/mo in Salt Lake City, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Dublin and 99 in Salt Lake City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Dublin vs $470/month in Salt Lake City. 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 88 in Salt Lake City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Dublin vs $352 in Salt Lake City. 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 97 in Salt Lake City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $60,590 in Salt Lake City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,846 and $56,626 respectively. Salt Lake City 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 $1,414/month in Salt Lake City. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Salt Lake City, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dublin is 2.8% more affordable overall with an index of 104 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Dublin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,163 in Salt Lake City, based on the cost of living difference.
Dublin's housing index is 128 with median homes at $470,000, while Salt Lake City's is 120 with median homes at $440,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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