Dublin vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~52% 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
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Dublin | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $3,142 | $819 | +$2,323 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,455 | $644 | +$1,811 |
| Groceries | $420 | $271 | +$149 |
| Restaurant Meal | $24 | $14 | +$10 |
| Transit Pass | $114 | $75 | +$39 |
| Utilities | $225 | $82 | +$143 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Dublin | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $3,184/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $4,261/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $5,176/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Dublin | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $716/mo | -$784 |
| $2,000/mo | $955/mo | -$1,045 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,432/mo | -$1,568 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Dublin vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 52% more affordable than Dublin when combining rent and daily living costs. Dublin's COL+Rent Index of 77.5 vs Gothenburg's 37 (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 $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Gothenburg a $2,323/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $27,876 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Dublin ($420/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $24 vs $14 show Gothenburg 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, Gothenburg offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,457 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.