Cost of living in Dublin — is your salary enough?
Dublin median rent exceeded €2,000/month in 2023, the second-highest monthly rent in the EU. Dublin renters face the country's most compressed income-to-rent ratio; mid-income earners typically fall below benchmark.
Rent in Dublin
Other monthly costs
How different incomes stack up
At typical Dublin costs (€2,100 rent)
See your personal verdict for Dublin
Cost figures are estimates based on reported median rents and typical spending patterns. Savings benchmarks from CSO Household Budget Survey 2022/23. Figures in EUR.
Frequently asked questions — Living in Dublin
How much does it cost to live in Dublin?+
Core monthly costs in Dublin run about €3,650 — roughly €2,100 for rent and €1,550 for other living expenses (food, transport, utilities, basics). Dublin median rent exceeded €2,000/month in 2023, the second-highest monthly rent in the EU.
What is the median rent in Dublin?+
The median rent in Dublin is around €2,100 per month. Dublin is classified as a very high cost cost-of-living city in Ireland.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Dublin?+
Using the 70%-rule (core costs ≤ 70% of gross), you need roughly €62,571 per year before tax to live comfortably in Dublin. That leaves room to hit the 14% savings benchmark for Ireland.
Is Dublin expensive compared to the rest of Ireland?+
Dublin sits in the very high cost tier within Ireland. Dublin renters face the country's most compressed income-to-rent ratio; mid-income earners typically fall below benchmark.
How much of your income should rent take in Dublin?+
The standard rule is no more than 30% of gross income on rent. At €2,100/month in Dublin, that means a gross income of at least €84,000 per year to stay under the 30% threshold.
Can you still save money living in Dublin?+
Yes — the Ireland benchmark for mid-income earners is 14% of gross income. In a very high cost city like Dublin, hitting that rate is tighter but achievable with disciplined budgeting.
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