Dublin vs Stockholm
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Stockholm is ~34% 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
Stockholm
Sweden
COL+Rent
51
Rent Index
32.7
Groceries
59.6
Restaurant
62.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Dublin | Stockholm | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $3,142 | $1,449 | +$1,693 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,455 | $1,139 | +$1,316 |
| Groceries | $420 | $339 | +$81 |
| Restaurant Meal | $24 | $17 | +$7 |
| Transit Pass | $114 | $93 | +$21 |
| Utilities | $225 | $103 | +$122 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Dublin | Stockholm |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $3,184/mo | $1,640/mo |
| Typical | $4,261/mo | $2,239/mo |
| Comfortable | $5,176/mo | $2,779/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Dublin | ≈ in Stockholm | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $987/mo | -$513 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,316/mo | -$684 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,974/mo | -$1,026 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Dublin vs Stockholm for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Stockholm is approximately 34% more affordable than Dublin when combining rent and daily living costs. Dublin's COL+Rent Index of 77.5 vs Stockholm's 51 (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 $1,449/month in Stockholm — giving Stockholm a $1,693/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $20,316 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Dublin ($420/mo) vs Stockholm ($339/mo) reflect Stockholm's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $24 vs $17 show Stockholm 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, Stockholm offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,239 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.