Dublin VS Seattle

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Dublin
Ireland
72.8
COLI Index
#21
Global Rank
EUR
Currency
Seattle
United States
79.5
COLI Index
#13
Global Rank
USD
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
72.8
79.5
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$2,000
$2,200
Total Deductions
25.9%
21.4%
Exchange Rate
1 EUR = 1.1794 USD
Is Dublin cheaper than Seattle?

Yes, Dublin is 8% cheaper than Seattle based on our cost of living index. Dublin has a COLI of 72.8, while Seattle has a COLI of 79.5. 8% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Dublin vs Seattle

Overall, Dublin is approximately 8% cheaper than Seattle based on our cost of living index. Dublin has a COLI of 72.8 (ranked #21 of 182 cities), while Seattle has a COLI of 79.5 (ranked #13).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Dublin averages $2,000/month compared to $2,200/month in Seattle. That makes Dublin approximately 9% cheaper for rent alone.

Seattle has lower total deductions (21.4%) compared to Dublin (25.9%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Seattle. 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

Seattle

Income Tax
14%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
Total: 21.4%Take-Home: $46,893/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 $81,902 in Seattle to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 8% 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) Seattle (USD)
Doctor (General) €111,108 $143,100
Software Engineer €52,468 $67,575
Product Manager €61,727 $79,500
Lawyer €61,727 $79,500
Data Scientist €58,640 $75,525
Marketing Manager €44,443 $57,240
Teacher €29,629 $38,160
Nurse €35,801 $46,110

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%)

Seattle (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Mercer Island1.25x (+25%)
Downtown1.18x (+18%)
Bellevue1.15x (+15%)
South Lake Union1.15x (+15%)
Capitol Hill1.12x (+12%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dublin or Seattle more expensive?

Seattle is more expensive overall. Dublin has a COLI of 72.8 while Seattle has a COLI of 79.5, making Dublin approximately 8% cheaper.

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

To maintain the same standard of living as €63,592 in Dublin, you would need approximately $81,902 in Seattle.

Is rent cheaper in Dublin or Seattle?

Average one-bedroom rent in Dublin is $2,000/month compared to $2,200/month in Seattle. Dublin has lower rent by approximately 9%.

Which city has lower taxes, Dublin or Seattle?

Seattle has lower total deductions (21.4%) compared to Dublin (25.9%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Seattle.

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.