City Comparison

Dublin vs Sydney

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Dublin

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

Sydney

Australia
105
Average
$825,000
Median Home
$2,050/mo
Median Rent
$60,000
Median Income

The Verdict

1.0%

Living in Dublin costs 1.0% less than Sydney. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Dublin, you would need $75,721 in Sydney.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
128
Dublin
142
Sydney
Groceries
95
Dublin
95
Sydney
Utilities
110
Dublin
98
Sydney
Transportation
108
Dublin
108
Sydney
Healthcare
82
Dublin
72
Sydney

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Dublin has the same purchasing power as $75,721 in Sydney.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sydney equals $74,286 in Dublin.

Living in Dublin vs Sydney

Housing Costs

Dublin's housing index of 128 is lower Sydney's 142, translating to median home prices of $470,000 vs $825,000. The $355,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,076 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Dublin compared to $2,050/mo in Sydney, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Dublin and 95 in Sydney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Dublin vs $451/month in Sydney. 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 98 in Sydney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Dublin vs $392 in Sydney. 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 72 in Sydney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $60,000 in Sydney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,846 and $57,143 respectively. Sydney 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 $1,400/month in Sydney. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Sydney, median rent of $2,050/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dublin is 1.0% more affordable overall with an index of 104 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Dublin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,721 in Sydney, based on the cost of living difference.
Dublin's housing index is 128 with median homes at $470,000, while Sydney's is 142 with median homes at $825,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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