Dublin vs Seattle
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Seattle is ~13% 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
Seattle
United States
COL+Rent
67.7
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
82.2
Restaurant
86.5
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Dublin | Seattle | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $3,142 | $2,553 | +$589 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,455 | $2,001 | +$454 |
| Groceries | $420 | $471 | $51 |
| Restaurant Meal | $24 | $25 | $1 |
| Transit Pass | $114 | $83 | +$31 |
| Utilities | $225 | $191 | +$34 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Dublin | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $3,184/mo | $2,705/mo |
| Typical | $4,261/mo | $3,673/mo |
| Comfortable | $5,176/mo | $4,525/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Dublin | ≈ in Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,310/mo | -$190 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,747/mo | -$253 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,621/mo | -$379 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Dublin vs Seattle for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Seattle is approximately 13% more affordable than Dublin when combining rent and daily living costs. Dublin's COL+Rent Index of 77.5 vs Seattle's 67.7 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Dublin costs $3,142/month versus $2,553/month in Seattle — giving Seattle a $589/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $7,068 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Dublin ($420/mo) vs Seattle ($471/mo) reflect Dublin's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $24 vs $25 show Dublin is the better value for dining out. 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, Seattle offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $3,673 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.