Seattle vs Dublin
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Seattle is ~13% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Seattle
United States
COL+Rent
67.7
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
82.2
Restaurant
86.5
Dublin
Ireland
COL+Rent
77.5
Rent Index
74.2
Groceries
74.1
Restaurant
78.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Seattle | Dublin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,553 | $3,142 | $589 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,001 | $2,455 | $454 |
| Groceries | $471 | $420 | +$51 |
| Restaurant Meal | $25 | $24 | +$1 |
| Transit Pass | $83 | $114 | $31 |
| Utilities | $191 | $225 | $34 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Seattle | Dublin |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,705/mo | $3,184/mo |
| Typical | $3,673/mo | $4,261/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,525/mo | $5,176/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Seattle | ≈ in Dublin | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,717/mo | +$217 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,290/mo | +$290 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,434/mo | +$434 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Seattle vs Dublin for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Seattle is approximately 13% more affordable than Dublin when combining rent and daily living costs. Seattle's COL+Rent Index of 67.7 vs Dublin's 77.5 (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 Seattle costs $2,553/month versus $3,142/month in Dublin — 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 Seattle ($471/mo) vs Dublin ($420/mo) reflect Dublin's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $25 vs $24 show Dublin 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, 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.