🇬🇧 Edinburgh vs 🇮🇪 Dublin
Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Edinburgh is 23% cheaper than Dublin
Quick answer
Comparing Edinburgh, United Kingdom and Dublin, Ireland: a moderate single-person monthly budget is approximately $2,906 in Edinburgh versus $3,788 in Dublin. Edinburgh is roughly 23% cheaper overall. Central 1-bed rent: $1,541/mo (Edinburgh) vs $2,000/mo (Dublin). The totals use the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
Key facts
- Moderate budget: $2,906/mo in Edinburgh single person — city-centre rent + modeled non-housing categories.
- Moderate budget: $3,788/mo in Dublin single person — like-for-like city-centre basket.
- Central 1-bed rent $1,541/mo in Edinburgh · $2,000/mo in Dublin.
- Cheaper overall: Edinburgh ~23% cheaper than Dublin.
- Source World Bank ICP + national statistics + item-level price snapshots · CC BY 4.0.
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | 🇬🇧 Edinburgh | 🇮🇪 Dublin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $2,050/mo | $2,650/mo | +29% |
| Moderate | $2,906/mo | $3,788/mo | +30% |
| Comfortable | $4,350/mo | $5,700/mo | +31% |
The Moderate row equals the category table below: single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending. Budget and Comfortable scale that same basket.
Cost Breakdown by Category
| Category | 🇬🇧 Edinburgh | 🇮🇪 Dublin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $1,541/mo | $2,000/mo | +30% |
| Groceries & Food | $420/mo | $550/mo | +31% |
| Dining Out | $210/mo | $275/mo | +31% |
| Transport | $210/mo | $275/mo | +31% |
| Utilities & Internet | $210/mo | $275/mo | +31% |
| Healthcare | $168/mo | $220/mo | +31% |
| Leisure & Personal | $147/mo | $193/mo | +31% |
Category sum = Moderate budget. Basis: single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
Housing (1-bed, center)
Edinburgh
$1,541
Dublin
$2,000
Groceries & Food
Edinburgh
$420
Dublin
$550
Dining Out
Edinburgh
$210
Dublin
$275
Transport
Edinburgh
$210
Dublin
$275
Utilities & Internet
Edinburgh
$210
Dublin
$275
Healthcare
Edinburgh
$168
Dublin
$220
Leisure & Personal
Edinburgh
$147
Dublin
$193
Detailed Price Comparison
Sources: ONS (UK), Eurostat / CSO (Ireland), Eurostat. Updated Jan 2026.
Groceries
| Item | 🇬🇧 Edinburgh | 🇮🇪 Dublin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $1 | $2 | +14% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | 0% |
| Eggs (12) | $3 | $4 | +36% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $8 | $10 | +29% |
Restaurants & Cafes
| Item | 🇬🇧 Edinburgh | 🇮🇪 Dublin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch menu | $14 | $16 | +17% |
| Fast food combo meal | $8 | $10 | +22% |
| Cappuccino | $4 | $4 | +11% |
| Beer (pint, pub) | $6 | $7 | +13% |
Housing
| Item | 🇬🇧 Edinburgh | 🇮🇪 Dublin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center | $1,541 | $2,000 | +30% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $1,150 | $1,500 | +30% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $2,100 | $3,200 | +52% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $1,400 | $2,200 | +57% |
Transport
| Item | 🇬🇧 Edinburgh | 🇮🇪 Dublin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass (Lothian) | $65 | $120 | +85% |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $2 | $2 | 0% |
Utilities & Internet
| Item | 🇬🇧 Edinburgh | 🇮🇪 Dublin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $225 | $200 | -11% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $35 | $55 | +57% |
Leisure & Fitness
| Item | 🇬🇧 Edinburgh | 🇮🇪 Dublin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $42 | $48 | +14% |
| Cinema ticket | $14 | $14 | 0% |
Personal Care
| Item | 🇬🇧 Edinburgh | 🇮🇪 Dublin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $19 | $22 | +16% |
Quick Facts
🇬🇧 Edinburgh
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $2,906
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $1,541/mo
- Cappuccino
- $3.60
- Inexpensive meal
- $13.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $65
- Internet speed
- 105 Mbps
- Safety index
- 78/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 91/100
- Country
- United Kingdom
🇮🇪 Dublin
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $3,788
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $2,000/mo
- Cappuccino
- $4.00
- Inexpensive meal
- $15.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $120
- Internet speed
- 110 Mbps
- Safety index
- 75/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 97/100
- Country
- Ireland
Explore more: Edinburgh city guide | Dublin city guide | United Kingdom | Ireland
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Edinburgh or Dublin cheaper to live in?
Edinburgh is approximately 23% cheaper than Dublin overall.
How much does it cost to live in Edinburgh per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Edinburgh is approximately $2,906 on the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
How much does it cost to live in Dublin per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Dublin is approximately $3,788 on the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
What is the rent difference between Edinburgh and Dublin?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $1,541/month in Edinburgh and $2,000/month in Dublin.