Sydney vs Dublin
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Sydney is ~10% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Sydney
Australia
COL+Rent
69.7
Rent Index
54.9
Groceries
86.8
Restaurant
78.3
Dublin
Ireland
COL+Rent
77.5
Rent Index
74.2
Groceries
74.1
Restaurant
78.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Sydney | Dublin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,442 | $3,142 | $700 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,822 | $2,455 | $633 |
| Groceries | $483 | $420 | +$63 |
| Restaurant Meal | $25 | $24 | +$1 |
| Transit Pass | $114 | $114 | $0 |
| Utilities | $171 | $225 | $54 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Sydney | Dublin |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,545/mo | $3,184/mo |
| Typical | $3,585/mo | $4,261/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,423/mo | $5,176/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Sydney | ≈ in Dublin | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,668/mo | +$168 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,224/mo | +$224 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,336/mo | +$336 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Sydney vs Dublin for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Sydney is approximately 10% more affordable than Dublin when combining rent and daily living costs. Sydney's COL+Rent Index of 69.7 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 Sydney costs $2,442/month versus $3,142/month in Dublin — 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 Sydney ($483/mo) vs Dublin ($420/mo) reflect Dublin's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $25 vs $24 show Sydney 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, 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.