Cost of Living in Dublin

Is Dublin expensive?

Dublin is Europe's 18th most expensive city and Ireland's most expensive. A family of four can expect to spend around €7,288 per month, including rent. For a single person, the total monthly cost is about €3,043 with rent.

Compared to London, where a single person's living cost is €3,875, Dublin is about €831 cheaper. However, Berlin is more affordable, with a single person’s total cost of around €2,277, which makes the cost of living in Dublin €766 more expensive (Source: Numbeo).

Rent per month

Here’s how much rent costs in Dublin on average, depending on apartment size and location (source: ):

• Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city center: €1,956
• Apartment (1 bedroom) outside of center: €1,719
• Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city center: €3,524
• Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside of center: €2,948

For expats looking to rent in Dublin, the market is tough. Rents for new tenancies have gone up by 9.1% over the past year, and while existing tenancies are about 16% cheaper due to rent control, affordable housing is still hard to find, so expect rent to be a huge chunk of your cost of living in Dublin. There’s also been a 30% drop in new tenancies, and many landlords are selling, making fewer rentals available, especially outside the city (Source: The Irish Times).

The best areas to live in Dublin:

• Ranelagh — Family-friendly with good schools and nice homes, close to the city.
• Ballsbridge (D4) — Upscale, popular with professionals, and near the city center.
• Portobello — Trendy area with lots of cafés, and pubs, and close to the city centre.
• Dalkey — Seaside town with outdoor activities and high-end homes, great for families.

Up-and-coming neighborhoods:

• Smithfield — Lively area with good transport links and popular spots like the Jameson Distillery.
• Stoneybatter — Village vibe with a growing food scene, perfect for young professionals.
• Phibsborough — Affordable and close to the city, with local attractions like Dalymount Park.
• The Liberties — A mix of old and new Dublin, with affordable housing and a lively scene.

Less desirable areas:

• North Inner City (Certain parts) — Central but some areas have safety and noise issues, not ideal for families or quiet living.

How to find an apartment in Dublin

Finding a rental in Dublin can be difficult due to high demand and limited supply. Start by checking popular rental websites like Daft.ie, Rent.ie, and MyHome.ie, where you can filter options by area and budget. It's important to act fast — properties often get hundreds of inquiries within hours. Set up alerts on these platforms and be prepared to send your application quickly, with documents like proof of income, references, and ID ready to go. For those new to Dublin, house shares are common and more affordable, especially in areas like Phibsborough, Stoneybatter, and Drumcondra. Expect to pay around €900-€1,200 for a room in a shared house or significantly more for a private apartment in the city center, as rent is a big chunk of your cost of living in Dublin.

Make sure to view properties in person or send someone you trust, as rental scams are not uncommon. Never transfer money without seeing the property first. If you're unfamiliar with Dublin, know that the city’s housing market is highly competitive, and you may need to stay in short-term accommodation like Airbnb while searching for a long-term place. Be flexible with your location — consider areas with good public transport links, as commuting can help balance rent costs.

If you need assistance during your housing search in Dublin, we're here to help. We can offer a quote or connect you with our trusted partners who have successfully helped many of our users secure housing across the city.

Property prices

The average price per square meter to buy an apartment in Dublin is around (Source: Numbeo):

• City center: €6,722/sqm
• Outside of the city center: €5,144/sqm

Foreigners, including non-EU citizens, can buy property in Dublin without restrictions. However, owning property doesn’t automatically give you residency, so if you’re from outside the EEA, you might need to apply for a residence permit. Ireland does have a Golden Visa program, but it requires an investment of at least €2 million in Irish Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). Be prepared to show proof of identity and financial capability as part of anti-money laundering checks. For a detailed breakdown of the process, you can check out Citizens Information.

If you’re buying property in Dublin, expect extra costs like stamp duty (1% for properties up to €1 million, and 2% above that) and legal fees. Don’t forget to budget for surveys (prices starting from around €500) to check for issues like structural problems, as sellers aren’t required to disclose them. Getting a mortgage might be tricky if you don’t have a financial history in Ireland, but first-time buyers can borrow up to 3.5 times their income with a minimum 10% deposit (Source: Wise). For more on mortgage options, check out Money Guide Ireland, and for property listings, start your search on Daft.ie.

Utilities

A considerable part of your Dublin cost of living is the monthly utilities (Source: Numbeo):

• Basic utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage) for 85m² apartment: €270
• Mobile phone monthly plan with calls and 10GB+ Data: €22
• Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL): €53

These costs can add up over the year, but you can cut them down by following these tips:

• Compare gas and electricity prices: Use sites like Bonkers.ie and Switcher.ie to find the best deals. Regularly switching providers can save you money.
• Use pay-as-you-go (PAYG) electricity: PAYG helps you monitor energy use and control costs. Be mindful of cheaper night rates if you have a dual-rate meter.
• Look for deals from major providers: Providers like Bord Gáis, Electric Ireland, SSE Airtricity, and Energia often offer new customer promotions.
• Choose prepay or SIM-only mobile plans: Providers such as Three Ireland, Vodafone, GoMo, and Lycamobile offer affordable plans. Use Switcher.ie to compare offers.
• Bundle internet, TV, and phone services: Bundling services can lower costs. Watch out for introductory deals that increase after the promotional period ends.
• Save on waste removal: Separate recyclables and take them to free public recycling centers (find your nearest one here) to reduce disposal costs.

Public transport

Dublin has plenty of easy ways to get around. Dublin Bus runs over 100 routes, and the DART (a rapid commuter train service) and Luas trains cover key areas. A Leap Card is your best bet for cheaper fares across buses, trains, and even Dublin Bikes. Taxis are available through apps like Lynk and Free Now. If you’re driving, expect to pay around €2-€4 per hour for parking, and non-EU drivers might need to swap their licenses after 12 months — check the NDLS site for more info.

Dublin travel ticket (Source: Dublin Public Transport):

• Leap Visitor Card:

  ◦ 24 hours: €8.00

  ◦ 72 hours: €16.00

  ◦ 7 days: €32.00 (Unlimited travel on Dublin Bus, Luas (tram), and DART within the Short Hop Zone.)

• TFI 90-minute fare (using Leap Card):

  ◦ Adults: €2

  ◦ Young adults/students: €1

  ◦ Children: €0.65 (Covers Dublin Bus, Luas, DART, and commuter services within zones 1 to 4.)

• Bus tickets: Prices vary based on the number of stops. Using a Leap Card is cheaper than paying directly on the bus.
• DART and commuter trains: Fares vary by distance, with lower prices within the Short Hop Zone.

Taxi (Source: Numbeo):

• Taxi start (normal tariff): €4.60
• Taxi 1 km: €2.50
• Taxi 1 hour waiting: €32.50
• From the Airport to the city center: €25-€30

Food

Grocery shopping in Dublin offers plenty of options with stores like Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, and SuperValu. Tesco and SuperValu have a range of branded products, while Aldi and Lidl focus on cheaper, own-brand items. To save money, consider meal planning, buying in bulk, and using loyalty cards. Shopping at discount stores or farmer’s markets can also help with your cost of living in Dublin, and you can find deals or shop online at Tesco or SuperValu. For higher-end items or gourmet ingredients, Marks & Spencer and Donnybrook Fair cater to those looking for premium quality, fresh, local, and specialty foods. For fresh produce, artisan products, and a more market-style experience, you can explore local spots like the Temple Bar Food Market.

Depending on shopping and dietary habits, expect to spend the following on groceries monthly (Source: Quora):

• For a single person: €150-€300
• For a couple: €300-€600
• For a family of four: €900-€1,300

Here’s a list of common grocery items to give you a sense of the prices (Source: Numbeo):

• Milk (1 liter): €1.30
• Loaf of fresh white bread (500g): €1.70
• Rice (1kg): €1.60
• Eggs (12): €3.90
• Chicken fillets (1kg): €9.50
• Domestic beer (0.5 liter draught): €6.75

Childcare

Childcare in Ireland can be expensive, especially in cities like Dublin, so it’s important to plan ahead. The Irish government offers support through the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) to help reduce expenses for eligible families, aiding with the considerable Dublin cost of living. Keep in mind that spaces in crèches can fill up quickly, and prices vary significantly based on location and type of care.

Types of childcare and costs (Source: SureSitter):

• Crèche: A popular option for full-time or part-time care for children from 6 months to school age. In Dublin, crèches typically cost around €1,276 per month, while other regions offer prices between €620 and €1,276.
• Childminders: Provide care in their own home, offering a flexible and homely environment. Prices usually range from €5 per hour to €30-50 for a full day.
• Au Pairs: Live-in caregivers who help with childcare in exchange for room, board, and a small weekly wage, which typically ranges from €175-€400 depending on hours and experience.
• Nannies: Nannies offer professional childcare in your home, with costs varying from €11.30 to €20 per hour, depending on experience and responsibilities.
• Babysitters: Babysitters generally charge €6-€15 per hour, with rates higher in urban areas.
• Preschool (or Kindergarten), full day, private, monthly for 1 child: €1,254.

The NCS provides two types of subsidies: a universal subsidy, which gives €2.14 per hour for up to 45 hours per week, and an income-assessed subsidy for families earning under €60,000 annually. The amount is based on factors like family income, the child’s age, and hours needed. You can apply for these subsidies online via the NCS website, where you'll need details like your MyGovID and children's PPS (Personal Public Service) numbers. The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme also offers free preschool for children aged 2 years and 8 months, covering 3 hours a day for 5 days a week. These programs and subsidies can be a huge help with your Dublin cost of living if you have a family.

International yearly school fees (Source: International Schools Database):

• International School of Dublin: €10,850 €
• St. Andrew’s College Dublin: €8,500-€11,250
• Nord Anglia International School Dublin: €15,300-€23,500
• Lycėe Français International Samuel Beckett: €5,600-€6,950
• St. Kilian’s Deutsche Schule Dublin: €6,900-€7,400
• International primary school, yearly for 1 child: €8,576