Dublin VS London

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Dublin
Ireland
72.8
COLI Index
#21
Global Rank
EUR
Currency
London
United Kingdom
87.5
COLI Index
#6
Global Rank
GBP
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
72.8
87.5
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$2,000
$2,500
Total Deductions
25.9%
26.6%
Exchange Rate
1 EUR = 0.8881 GBP
Is Dublin cheaper than London?

Yes, Dublin is 17% cheaper than London based on our cost of living index. Dublin has a COLI of 72.8, while London has a COLI of 87.5. 17% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Dublin vs London

Overall, Dublin is approximately 17% cheaper than London based on our cost of living index. Dublin has a COLI of 72.8 (ranked #21 of 182 cities), while London has a COLI of 87.5 (ranked #6).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Dublin averages $2,000/month compared to $2,500/month in London. That makes Dublin approximately 20% cheaper for rent alone.

Dublin has lower total deductions (25.9%) compared to London (26.6%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Dublin. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

Dublin

Income Tax
22%
PRSI
4.0%
Total: 25.9%Take-Home: €34,325/yr

London

Income Tax
15%
National Insurance (NI)
8.0%
Council Tax (avg)
3.6%
Total: 26.6%Take-Home: £36,294/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn €63,592 in Dublin, you would need approximately £67,880 in London to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 17% more due to higher cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title Dublin (EUR) London (GBP)
Doctor (General) €111,108 £118,599
Software Engineer €52,468 £56,005
Product Manager €61,727 £65,889
Lawyer €61,727 £65,889
Data Scientist €58,640 £62,594
Marketing Manager €44,443 £47,440
Teacher €29,629 £31,627
Nurse €35,801 £38,215

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

Dublin (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Dublin 4 (Ballsbridge)1.30x (+30%)
Dublin 2 (City Centre)1.25x (+25%)
Dublin 6 (Ranelagh)1.15x (+15%)
Blackrock1.15x (+15%)
Howth1.12x (+12%)

London (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Mayfair1.45x (+45%)
Chelsea1.38x (+38%)
Kensington1.35x (+35%)
Marylebone1.32x (+32%)
Hampstead1.30x (+30%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dublin or London more expensive?

London is more expensive overall. Dublin has a COLI of 72.8 while London has a COLI of 87.5, making Dublin approximately 17% cheaper.

What salary in London equals €63,592 in Dublin?

To maintain the same standard of living as €63,592 in Dublin, you would need approximately £67,880 in London.

Is rent cheaper in Dublin or London?

Average one-bedroom rent in Dublin is $2,000/month compared to $2,500/month in London. Dublin has lower rent by approximately 20%.

Which city has lower taxes, Dublin or London?

Dublin has lower total deductions (25.9%) compared to London (26.6%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Dublin.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.

Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.

Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.