Dublin
Dublin offers safe, fast internet (110 Mbps). A real option for career-movers and entrepreneurs.
Quick answer
Dublin, Ireland scores 71/100 on the WhereNext city composite (cost, safety, healthcare, education, climate, career, transport). Estimated single-person monthly cost is around $2,750/mo (a central 1-bed runs ~$2000/mo). Safety index 75/100; healthcare 78/100; internet 110 Mbps. Best fit: career-movers and entrepreneurs. Top neighborhoods: Rathmines, Portobello, Stoneybatter.
Key facts
- ~$2,750/mo single-person estimated cost of living · 1-bed center $2000/mo.
- Safety: 75/100 very safe city by composite safety index.
- Healthcare: 78/100 high-quality healthcare access.
- Internet: 110 Mbps median fixed broadband download — remote-work ready.
- Top neighborhoods Rathmines, Portobello, Stoneybatter, Smithfield — researched expat-friendly areas.
City composite
Below peers
- Dublin
- 71/100
- Ireland avg
- 77/100
- Global avg
- 63/100
Compared against 4 indexed cities in Ireland and 380 indexed cities globally.
Source: WhereNext 7-dimension city composite (cost, safety, healthcare, education, climate, career, transport, air quality) · updated
The short version
How much does it cost?
~$2,750/mo for a single person. A central 1-bed is ~$2000/mo. Outside the center: ~$1500/mo.
Is it safe?
Safety score: 75/100. Dublin is considered very safe by global standards.
Can I work remotely?
Internet: 110 Mbps avg. Fast enough for video calls and cloud work. Coworking: ~$350/mo.
What's the climate like?
Climate score: 42/100. Cooler climate — pack layers.
The honest take
What's great
- Career — scored 82/100
- Healthcare — scored 78/100
- Cost of Living — scored 75/100
- The Silicon Docks area (Grand Canal Dock) is where all the tech jobs are, but living nearby is brutally expensive. Rathmines and Portobello are 20 minutes away by bike and significantly more affordable with great local character. Also, the Sunday Flea Market at the Lucky Duck on Aungier Street is worth a visit.
Watch out for
- Climate — scored 42/100
Is this place viable for you?
Quick decision check — Dublin
Strengths
- Career82/100
- Healthcare78/100
- Affordability75/100
Likely blockers
Lifestyle fit needs verification
Re-rank destinations against your priorities
Who Dublin Is Best For
Based on cost, lifestyle, infrastructure, and community data.
“A small, friendly, English-speaking capital that punches massively above its weight as a European tech hub — Google, Meta, and Stripe's European HQs are here, bringing a huge international workforce.”
Decision Snapshot
Key metrics at a glance. Scores are out of 100, higher is better.
Monthly Reality Check
What things actually cost in Dublin. Estimated total: ~$2,750/mo for a single person.
Based on verified local pricing data
1-bed apartment (centre)
$2,000
1-bed apartment (outside)
$1,500
Budget meal
$15
Cappuccino
$4
Monthly transport pass
$120
Coworking space
$350/mo
Avg internet speed
110 Mbps
Expensive — comparable to or exceeding London for rent. A couple needs EUR 3,500-5,000/mo. A pint costs EUR 6-8 in the city centre. Supermarket prices are high by European standards. The 12.5% corporate tax rate doesn't help individual costs.
Neighborhoods
Where expats and locals actually live in Dublin.
Housing reality: Severe housing crisis — among the worst in Europe. A 1-bed in the centre runs EUR 1,800-2,400. Competition is fierce; viewings are cattle-call events with 30+ applicants. Daft.ie is the main platform. Sharing is the norm even for professionals. Rent Pressure Zones cap annual increases at 2%.
Compare Dublin
See how Dublin stacks up against common alternatives.
Premium Report
Get Real Data for Dublin
This city's scores are estimated from national data. A Decision Brief gives you verified local prices, neighborhoods, visa timelines, and a personalized relocation plan — researched specifically for Dublin.
Deep Research
Expand any section for detailed data and narrative.
Living in Dublin
Living in Dublin
Safety
Generally safe. Anti-social behaviour and drug-related issues around the north inner city (O'Connell Street area) have increased. Dublin's suburbs are very safe. Standard city precautions apply.
Healthcare
A&E waits can be extremely long (12+ hours). GP visits cost EUR 50-70 without a medical card. Those earning under EUR 46,000 may qualify for a GP Visit Card (free GP visits). Private health insurance (VHI, Laya, Irish Life) is popular — EUR 80-150/mo.
Internet & Connectivity
Good. Siro and eir fibre offer 500-1000 Mbps in covered areas. Virgin Media cable is widely available. EUR 40-60/mo for broadband.
Coworking
Well-established. Dogpatch Labs (near Grand Canal Dock / Silicon Docks), WeWork, and Iconic Offices are the main spaces. Republic of Work and Huckletree are creative alternatives. EUR 200-350/mo for hot desks.
Food & Dining
The English Market in Cork gets all the press, but Moore Street market in Dublin has character. A full Irish breakfast (the fry) at Matt the Thresher or Bewley's on Grafton Street. Fish and chips at Leo Burdock. Coddle (Dublin's traditional sausage and potato stew) at Gallagher's Boxty House. Howth village for fresh seafood at Octopussy's.
Climate Notes
Mild, wet, and grey. Winters are 3-8°C, summers 15-20°C. It rains frequently but rarely heavily. Four seasons in one day is standard. You will own more rain jackets than you thought possible.
Transport & Getting Around
Transport & Getting Around
Luas (tram, 2 lines), Dublin Bus, and DART (coastal rail) cover the city. Leap Card is essential (EUR 40/mo cap for bus). No metro (perpetually promised). Very bikeable and flat. Dublin Bikes costs EUR 35/year.
Monthly transport pass: $120
Ireland — Policy & Systems
Ireland — Policy & Systems
Visa, tax, healthcare, and education policies are set at the national level. See the Ireland country guide for full details.
Language & Expat Community
Language & Expat Community
Official Languages
English, Irish (Gaeilge)
English Proficiency
Native
Foreign-born
18.1%
Expat Level
Hub
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dublin a good place to live for expats?
Dublin scores 71/100 overall. It is relatively expensive (~$2,750/mo), very safe, and has a healthcare score of 78/100. Top neighborhoods include Rathmines, Portobello, Stoneybatter.
What does it cost to live in Dublin?
The estimated monthly cost of living in Dublin is ~$2,750 for a single person. A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs about $2000/mo. Severe housing crisis — among the worst in Europe. A 1-bed in the centre runs EUR 1,800-2,400. Competition is fierce; viewings are cattle-call events with 30+ applicants. Daft.ie is the main platform. Sharing is the norm even for professionals. Rent Pressure Zones cap annual increases at 2%.
What are the best neighborhoods in Dublin?
The most recommended neighborhoods are Rathmines, Portobello, Stoneybatter, Smithfield, Drumcondra, Ranelagh. A small, friendly, English-speaking capital that punches massively above its weight as a European tech hub — Google, Meta, and Stripe's European HQs are here, bringing a huge international workforce.
How do I get around Dublin?
Dublin has a transport score of 72/100. Luas (tram, 2 lines), Dublin Bus, and DART (coastal rail) cover the city. Leap Card is essential (EUR 40/mo cap for bus). No metro (perpetually promised). Very bikeable and flat. Dublin Bikes costs EUR 35/year.
Suggested citation
CC BY 4.0This dataset is free to redistribute, quote, and embed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. The composite form below preserves source lineage so AI assistants can cite both WhereNext and the underlying institutional publishers.
WhereNext composite — WhereNext Dublin, Ireland City Profile 2026 (2026-05-20). Derived from: Numbeo (city-level cost; verified via WhereNext audit); World Bank ICP (country-level PPP anchor); OECD + Eurostat (where applicable); WhereNext flagship-city research (qualitative + neighborhood depth). Available at https://getwherenext.com/city/ie/dublin?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. CC BY 4.0.
WhereNext. (2026). WhereNext Dublin, Ireland City Profile 2026. Retrieved from https://getwherenext.com/city/ie/dublin?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. CC BY 4.0.
WhereNext. "WhereNext Dublin, Ireland City Profile 2026." WhereNext, 20 May 2026, https://getwherenext.com/city/ie/dublin?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. Accessed via https://getwherenext.com/city/ie/dublin?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. CC BY 4.0.
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title = {WhereNext Dublin, Ireland City Profile 2026},
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Next step
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Important Notice
WhereNext provides data-driven insights for informational purposes only. Scores and rankings are algorithmically generated from public institutional data and may not reflect your individual circumstances. This tool does not replace professional advice for immigration, legal, tax, or financial matters.