Dublin vs Sydney
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Sydney is ~10% 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
Sydney
Australia
COL+Rent
69.7
Rent Index
54.9
Groceries
86.8
Restaurant
78.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Dublin | Sydney | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $3,142 | $2,442 | +$700 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,455 | $1,822 | +$633 |
| Groceries | $420 | $483 | $63 |
| Restaurant Meal | $24 | $25 | $1 |
| Transit Pass | $114 | $114 | $0 |
| Utilities | $225 | $171 | +$54 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Dublin | Sydney |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $3,184/mo | $2,545/mo |
| Typical | $4,261/mo | $3,585/mo |
| Comfortable | $5,176/mo | $4,423/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Dublin | ≈ in Sydney | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,349/mo | -$151 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,799/mo | -$201 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,698/mo | -$302 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Dublin vs Sydney for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Sydney is approximately 10% more affordable than Dublin when combining rent and daily living costs. Dublin's COL+Rent Index of 77.5 vs Sydney's 69.7 (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 $2,442/month in Sydney — giving Sydney a $700/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $8,400 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Dublin ($420/mo) vs Sydney ($483/mo) reflect Dublin's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $24 vs $25 show Sydney 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, Sydney offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $3,585 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.