Dublin vs Toronto
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Toronto is ~22% 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
Toronto
Canada
COL+Rent
60.6
Rent Index
49.3
Groceries
73.2
Restaurant
72.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Dublin | Toronto | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $3,142 | $2,174 | +$968 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,455 | $1,728 | +$727 |
| Groceries | $420 | $410 | +$10 |
| Restaurant Meal | $24 | $22 | +$2 |
| Transit Pass | $114 | $92 | +$22 |
| Utilities | $225 | $160 | +$65 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Dublin | Toronto |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $3,184/mo | $2,355/mo |
| Typical | $4,261/mo | $3,166/mo |
| Comfortable | $5,176/mo | $3,904/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Dublin | ≈ in Toronto | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,173/mo | -$327 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,564/mo | -$436 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,346/mo | -$654 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Dublin vs Toronto for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Toronto is approximately 22% more affordable than Dublin when combining rent and daily living costs. Dublin's COL+Rent Index of 77.5 vs Toronto's 60.6 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Dublin costs $3,142/month versus $2,174/month in Toronto — giving Toronto a $968/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $11,616 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Dublin ($420/mo) vs Toronto ($410/mo) reflect Toronto's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $24 vs $22 show Toronto 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, Toronto offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $3,166 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.