Dublin vs Brisbane
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Brisbane is ~30% 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
Brisbane
Australia
COL+Rent
54
Rent Index
38.3
Groceries
71.7
Restaurant
61.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Dublin | Brisbane | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $3,142 | $1,702 | +$1,440 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,455 | $1,270 | +$1,185 |
| Groceries | $420 | $399 | +$21 |
| Restaurant Meal | $24 | $21 | +$3 |
| Transit Pass | $114 | $94 | +$20 |
| Utilities | $225 | $141 | +$84 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Dublin | Brisbane |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $3,184/mo | $1,868/mo |
| Typical | $4,261/mo | $2,651/mo |
| Comfortable | $5,176/mo | $3,301/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Dublin | ≈ in Brisbane | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,045/mo | -$455 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,394/mo | -$606 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,090/mo | -$910 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Dublin vs Brisbane for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Brisbane is approximately 30% more affordable than Dublin when combining rent and daily living costs. Dublin's COL+Rent Index of 77.5 vs Brisbane's 54 (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 $1,702/month in Brisbane — giving Brisbane a $1,440/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $17,280 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Dublin ($420/mo) vs Brisbane ($399/mo) reflect Brisbane's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $24 vs $21 show Brisbane 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, Brisbane offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,651 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.