Malmö vs Dublin
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Malmö is ~55% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Malmö
Sweden
COL+Rent
35.1
Rent Index
17.1
Groceries
45.6
Restaurant
42.6
Dublin
Ireland
COL+Rent
77.5
Rent Index
74.2
Groceries
74.1
Restaurant
78.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Malmö | Dublin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $756 | $3,142 | $2,386 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $594 | $2,455 | $1,861 |
| Groceries | $260 | $420 | $160 |
| Restaurant Meal | $13 | $24 | $11 |
| Transit Pass | $71 | $114 | $43 |
| Utilities | $79 | $225 | $146 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Malmö | Dublin |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $978/mo | $3,184/mo |
| Typical | $1,361/mo | $4,261/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,721/mo | $5,176/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Malmö | ≈ in Dublin | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $3,312/mo | +$1,812 |
| $2,000/mo | $4,416/mo | +$2,416 |
| $3,000/mo | $6,624/mo | +$3,624 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Malmö vs Dublin for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Malmö is approximately 55% more affordable than Dublin when combining rent and daily living costs. Malmö's COL+Rent Index of 35.1 vs Dublin's 77.5 (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 Malmö costs $756/month versus $3,142/month in Dublin — giving Malmö a $2,386/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $28,632 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Malmö ($260/mo) vs Dublin ($420/mo) reflect Malmö's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $13 vs $24 show Malmö 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, Malmö offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,361 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.