City Comparison

Dublin vs Vancouver

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Dublin

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

Vancouver

Washington
122
Expensive
$525,000
Median Home
$1,650/mo
Median Rent
$79,300
Median Income

The Verdict

14.8%

Living in Dublin costs 14.8% less than Vancouver. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Dublin, you would need $87,981 in Vancouver.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
128
Dublin
163
Vancouver
Groceries
95
Dublin
104
Vancouver
Utilities
110
Dublin
87
Vancouver
Transportation
108
Dublin
112
Vancouver
Healthcare
82
Dublin
103
Vancouver

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Dublin has the same purchasing power as $87,981 in Vancouver.

Conversely, $75,000 in Vancouver equals $63,934 in Dublin.

Living in Dublin vs Vancouver

Housing Costs

Dublin's housing index of 128 is lower Vancouver's 163, translating to median home prices of $470,000 vs $525,000. The $55,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,576 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Dublin compared to $1,650/mo in Vancouver, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Dublin and 104 in Vancouver. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Dublin vs $494/month in Vancouver. 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 87 in Vancouver. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Dublin vs $348 in Vancouver. 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 Vancouver. 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 $79,300 in Vancouver. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,846 and $65,000 respectively. Vancouver 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 $1,850/month in Vancouver. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Vancouver, median rent of $1,650/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dublin is 14.8% more affordable overall with an index of 104 vs 122.
A $75,000 salary in Dublin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $87,981 in Vancouver, based on the cost of living difference.
Dublin's housing index is 128 with median homes at $470,000, while Vancouver's is 163 with median homes at $525,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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