City Comparison

Dublin vs Sugar Land

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Dublin

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

Sugar Land

Texas
110
Above Average
$456,000
Median Home
$1,625/mo
Median Rent
$128,400
Median Income

The Verdict

5.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 5.5%, with Dublin being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Dublin has equivalent purchasing power to $79,327 in Sugar Land.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
128
Dublin
128
Sugar Land
Groceries
95
Dublin
99
Sugar Land
Utilities
110
Dublin
96
Sugar Land
Transportation
108
Dublin
101
Sugar Land
Healthcare
82
Dublin
96
Sugar Land

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Dublin has the same purchasing power as $79,327 in Sugar Land.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sugar Land equals $70,909 in Dublin.

Living in Dublin vs Sugar Land

Housing Costs

Dublin's housing index of 128 is equal to Sugar Land's 128, translating to median home prices of $470,000 vs $456,000. The $14,000 difference in home prices means roughly $912 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Dublin compared to $1,625/mo in Sugar Land, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Dublin and 99 in Sugar Land. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Dublin vs $470/month in Sugar Land. 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 96 in Sugar Land. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Dublin vs $384 in Sugar Land. 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 96 in Sugar Land. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $128,400 in Sugar Land. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,846 and $116,727 respectively. Sugar Land 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 $2,996/month in Sugar Land. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Sugar Land, median rent of $1,625/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dublin is 5.5% more affordable overall with an index of 104 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Dublin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $79,327 in Sugar Land, based on the cost of living difference.
Dublin's housing index is 128 with median homes at $470,000, while Sugar Land's is 128 with median homes at $456,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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