Dublin vs Antwerp
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Antwerp is ~46% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Dublin
Ireland
COL+Rent
77.5
Rent Index
74.2
Groceries
74.1
Restaurant
78.9
Antwerp
Belgium
COL+Rent
42.2
Rent Index
23.4
Groceries
52.4
Restaurant
49
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Dublin | Antwerp | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $3,142 | $1,033 | +$2,109 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,455 | $779 | +$1,676 |
| Groceries | $420 | $294 | +$126 |
| Restaurant Meal | $24 | $17 | +$7 |
| Transit Pass | $114 | $41 | +$73 |
| Utilities | $225 | $192 | +$33 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Dublin | Antwerp |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $3,184/mo | $1,286/mo |
| Typical | $4,261/mo | $1,815/mo |
| Comfortable | $5,176/mo | $2,284/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Dublin | ≈ in Antwerp | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $817/mo | -$683 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,089/mo | -$911 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,634/mo | -$1,366 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Dublin vs Antwerp for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Antwerp is approximately 46% more affordable than Dublin when combining rent and daily living costs. Dublin's COL+Rent Index of 77.5 vs Antwerp's 42.2 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Dublin costs $3,142/month versus $1,033/month in Antwerp — giving Antwerp a $2,109/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $25,308 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Dublin ($420/mo) vs Antwerp ($294/mo) reflect Antwerp's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $24 vs $17 show Antwerp offers cheaper dining. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Antwerp offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,815 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.