Cost of Living in Dublin

I'd avoid moving here unless you are getting a six figure salary. Rent is extortion, rent for a tiny box room (which will be moudly & no insulation so heating costs will bankrupt you) in a shared apartment is reaching 1100-1200 pm now. Lower income people are having to resort to living in slumlike conditions, paying 500-600pm to sleep in bunk beds of 3 or 4 to a small room. There is 2 bed apartments with 8 ppl inside. The Political & Landlord class are doing nothing to improve the situation. There is no future in this country for the young. A meagre existence, where you will never have your own place or afford to have a family.

Health care system is falling apart, the wealthy use private insurance so no incentive to care, the rest have to deal with waiting lists that stretch on for years, A&E is overflowing, people lined on corridors days without treatment. Recently a 16 year old girl was left for 16 hours without treatment & died in A&E.

Sorry, in my previous comment I meant 3k for 3 bedroom hous/appt. Not sure if those are good deals or just something to run from.

Prague got super expensive, Dublin too, London too. Everywhere got super expensive, salaries are the same as usual and politician are doing nothing. Where are we going? Do we have to just stay where we are and join the crime!?

Olá pessoal, estou pensando em fazer um intercambio em Dublin mas estou bem assustada com o deficit de acomodação, até o meio do ano que vem tem perspectiva de melhora? È possivel alugar um quarto compartilho por 500 euros?

Hey all,

Is 18'500 euro per annum enough to support a family of 3 (2 adults, 1 child about a year old)? I am thinking about taking a doctorate position at University College Dublin but really concerned about the annual stipend. Any advice from someone living in Dublin is highly appreciated.

When was the grocery costs for dublin list updated? I’m looking at moving there in the fall and i’m trying to make a budget but since costs have gone up so much, i want to be sure i’m getting accurate pricing. Also how do you receive this data? Are you looking at prices in actual grocery stores or are you getting the information online?

mobina - 16OOO is enough for Carlow to live a basic life, but Carlow IT does not have a great reputation.

SD - 2 kids? Just about. But rents are just going higher and higher.

Hi everyone.
Is a Ph.D. position with a stipend of €16,000 per annum plus tuition fees for 4 years realistic (for one person), or should I work part-time to live an ideal life in Carlow?
Thanks in advance for your reply.

In my opinion it all depends on things how much is your rent, do you have to travel to work, do you cook your self or primarily order take out and so on. As I see it nowadays you need at least 3k to make ends meet, for more central area 4k, as we are seeing worldwide everything is getting more expensive by the minute.

I just checked daft.ie and there were only 28 rooms in shared appartments listed in dublin city costing 900e monthly or less

@Getreal - I’d to be honest also see the rent prices as pretty realistic … if we talk about normal 1 bedroom accommodation , you would see these in half ways central locations advertised typically between 1200-1700€ … if demand is really really high put on top 10-20% if someone would to be outbidden - but then you’d end up at 1400-2000€ - out of which the 1700€ stated here would be the average - what proves my point of that being a pretty realistic figure for a central location … obviously extremes would go faf beyond that - but yet I’d say those 2500€ you are stating would be at the extreme end and get you a 1 bed appartment in one of those luxury apartment blocks with on site gym and cinema …
So I’d say in terms of accommodation the average person with average needs can plan with 650-1100€ For a room in a shared house appartment (depending on size, features, location, size of household….)
850-1100€ for a studio out of the Centre
950-1300€ for a studio in the Centre
1200-1600€ for a 1 bed appartment out of the Centre
1400- 2000€ for a 1 bed in the Centre

And so forth …
No offense to you get real, just thinking you take places at the very high end as reference

Addressed to: Albert on Jul 08, 2021

Ireland is one of the most tolerant countries in EU regarding religious and ethnic backgrounds: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/irish-among-most-tolerant-in-europe-claims-eu-wide-survey-1.2374814

Your scouring remarks make you come across as a miserable grump of a person. Also known as 'minus craic'. Although Ireland has many issues, racism is not top billing. Housing is our main gripe. Not sure where you're getting 'ripped off', you make it sound like there are lecherous merchants shouting prices at you. We are a developed economy, wages are high, prices reflect that. Although cost of living remains an issue of note.

All people who are good craic are welcome. You are not good craic.

Hello, I'm a student and planning an exchange to Dublin, don't have job offer but have lots of experience and i can easily get jobs, but I'm worried with the rent, how much and what kind of jobs should I have to be able to pay rent and spare some to survive?

Addressed to the annonymous commentator from May 12th -

That Ireland is extremely expensive is only partly true. Living space is in general expensive, along with services/eating/drinking out. That naturally mainly applies to Dublin and other urban areas. So by that statement I am very very inclined to say that person has spent all of the 13 years mentioned in Dublin - and now applies that to the entire country.

The weather is horrible ? It can be seen that way - it though is a very subjective statement. The fact that you have the chance of seeing more than one season within a day is definitely true - though I wouldn’t say the weather is horrible but challenging in the way of not being very reliable.

There is nothing to do ? you are DEFINITELY on the wrong track there. If there is nothing to do at all that matches your interests and preferences, that is surprising, but then in the end says more about you than about the Country. The scenic nature, the importance that sports and music have in the country just to name a few obvious things show that the country offers a good few examples that the country allows various options to spend ones time

Ireland is extremely expensive, there is nothing to do here and the quality of healthcare and housing is ridiculous for the amount that you have to pay. Lived in Ireland for over 13 years, studied, and went to college here with the educational system being questionable. Most people that got anywhere career-wise are non-nationals. Had difficulties growing up as the Irish tend to stick only with the Irish. It is a friendly country but a lot of the time it seems very fake. The weather is horrible and changes to different seasons in one day. The government doesn't care about it's people and with the lockdowns happening because of Covid, it's almost impossible to leave and start a better life. Very difficult to save money and not having to decrease your living standards significantly. The only good thing I can say is that nature here is beautiful but constantly you hear about people being depressed living here. The amount of young people taking drugs and turning to alcohol is shocking. I would not let my kids grow up here and I am planning to move as soon as I can.

On the other hand, some people love it here so if you plan to move to Ireland make sure to see for yourself if it's for you. Most people that are foreigners and even Irish want to get out..

Hi, I am looking to relocate to Dublin, family of 4 with 2 school going boys one in primary and other in secondary.
Is 144K annual sufficient to live comfortably and save something reasonable. Thank you.

As a Dub, I'm not surprised by the complaints about rent in Ireland, they are high.

But I am surprised at so many people complaining about racism regarding jobs. I could not get a job in science in 2006, when I graduated because the jobs market was so in favour of the employer. After a PhD it wasn't much easier, there aren't many related jobs in Dublin. And it takes a long time.

In the companies I've worked in by now, they have either had a higher number of expats than would be expected proportionally, or have been very multicultural.

I don't think Dublin is necessarily any more racist than other world cities but the hiring processes area definitely trickier than they should be.

I had to change the dollar amount to American since I have never been outside the country accept Canada,before you needed a passport. Ireland has always been a country I had wanted to visit because of such beauty,the rich history. My great great grandparents are from somewhere in Ireland. So my husband and I spoke about maybe taking a vacation there. Oh my goodness expensive. Then I spoke to others I work with in emergency room and they said people in Ireland hate Americans,can always sniff them out. They said because of our demeanor even before we say word. That I would be treated unwelcome compared to other tourists. On e.r. Dr said it was best to find somewhere else to go. But the country looks absolutely stunning. Offering tourists a lot to do and teaching us the history, not what's shown on TV. Cleashe I know. One of the travel agencies also said tourists can stay in converted castles that were turned into hotels, yet keeping the castles as authentic as possible.

Hi,

I am looking to apply for the higher learning program in Dublin, I want to know if there are part time jobs for the health professional? And what is the rates of payment per hour?

Dublin is a Complete Rip off.
Over populated, Over Rated & Over Priced. Appalling Traffic. No Cycling infrastructure. Expensive Property (Buy or Rent). Expensive Food, clothes, socialising, petrol, utility bills and crap weather. Avoid !

Hello. I have an offer from a company based in Dublin. They offer me around 3,3K as net. I am married and I have a kid. Would this be enough to live for 2-4 months until my wife will start her job? I know that flats are expensive, besides that how much I would pay for food, health, etc.? Really appreciate your answers and thank you in advance.

what is the tax rate will be if my salary was 6500 euro?
what is the expected salary for someone who has 5 years' experience with a high degree and has a certificates?

Becoming hub of multi-national companies. But transportation system is really bad. You must need car and ready to pay healthy insurance. Health system is really bad. You will be in waiting even in emergency case. Housing crisis, everybody knows... Food is also costly compare to central European countries. Only weather is good.

Hi,

2 People with 2.8K it's not Good in Dublin.
If lucky you will get a 1.5K apartment, which it's more than 50% your income.
Be prepared for a rent of 1.5-2K if you don't wanna share, or Pay 1.2K outside dublin, but you will need
a car which will certain cost more than 300 Eur a month (Insurance, Tax, Gas, Parking) a of course
less things to do.

As for friendly people I would say they are polite, you will chat with irish people at the pub and that's it,
you won't be making any friends.

Double check your math before accepting it.

Why don't come to Ireland?
Do you think it is better to stay in Uk with Brexit than come to Ireland for 3 years, earning 2800 euros per month?
Even if in Scotland there are no offers at all at the moment?
It's so bad to live there?
How about the friendly people, the beautiful landscapes and nature? it's all fake?

Hi,
I've received a job offer for a Ph.D. Marie Curie in molecular oncology at the trinity college in Dublin.
I'll be moving with my partner and with a car.
my perspective salary will be 42600 Euros per year.

Any suggestions about the perspective net? and if living outside Dublin, but in a nice and safe environment, would be affordable?

We're living in Edinburgh, Scotland at the moment, but without a job offer yet, and we're Italians, even if somatically I have blue eyes and red hair, so we were wondering if it might be a good chance to accept the offer and move to Dublin of if it might be better to stay in Scotland until new job offer may come up.

We're are both mature 34/35 years old, so definitely a sharing accommodation is not an option.
Kind Regards to everybody and thank you for the help.

@Brett

This would be 3.5k net.

Rent 1.5-2k. Outside City center of course. Check daft.ie
500-600 groceries for 3 people.
If buying a car first year insurance 2k + Road taxes + gas 1.4 liter average + parking

So your entire salary can be consumed only with fixes Costs.

I dont know where you are and current conditions, but, Dublin I recommend at least 80k salary Single person.

@Brett
depends where you are planning to live and how much income per year your wife makes.
house alone would be around 1.5k if you are lucky and not looking for something in the city center, if you plan to get a car insurace for the first year will be a pain. The best way is to find something clsoe to your work as commuting to dublin from outside can be a real pain in the butt.

I've been living in Dublin for a year. I just left this city because the housing condition. I couldn't understand how adult ppl living in a shared room is common in developed country like Ireland. As far as I know, I think Dublin is the worst place to find an affordable accommodation among Europan cities.

Dublin, the capital of the Celtic Tiger has houses' walls made of paper,poor quality and ugly houses, the whole city is in the top 3 ugliest capital cities in europe, flats are v.expensive and even if you have money to rent it is v.difficult to find a place as there is 200 people wanting the same, lower tax retention than in most of countries in europe(by some 3-10 percent netto) as the taxes are hidden and all you see is 20 and 41 percent tax which seems good,always delayed buses due to people buying tickets in the bus so 100 people must wait, almost always bad weather, nothing interesting to see in dublin as there is no interesting events nor museums and restaurants tend to be average quality but plenty of pubs(thank god).There are some tax tricks for large corporations that make them invest there.This is just my real life experience.Enjoy Ireland.

Dublin definitely is a city with a couple of different Faces.

To start off with the quality of live, this really depends on your income and/or what your expectations are.

As someone who has moved to Dublin from a fairly big sized town north of Dublin, I have to say, though I have worked in Dublin before I moved here and heard things from friends and colleagues as well as of course I did my own research before - I still was shocked by the living expenses.

Going from that I definitely can tell that, if you are an expat and earning in the region of 30k gross p.a. (What would be the norm for entry level positions in the Tech and financial industries (obviously not counting in software engineers and the likes) you could see your budgeting being fairly tight.

As the main factor being housing, of course depending on what you want to/can spend on that and what conditions you expect to live in you can cut costs in - depending on availabilities. What I mean is:
If you want a fair sized doublebedroom and you one (en-suite) bathroom and be in a safe nice and fairly central location, expect to be paing in the region of 1000€ (Obviously, household size, state of the building , reputation/safety of the neighborhood ad transport connection will have an impact)
If you on the other hand would be happy with a tiny single bedroom in a run-down backroad building in a rough area like Finglas, Rialto, Tallaght, Inchicore or Dolphins Barn and comfortable of sharing a bathroom with four others, you could get something for 500-550€, but be aware this may bring a lot of additional issues.

Given the salary specified, which is a figure closeish to what I have, I only elaborated the dituation for shared housing above, as this realistically is all you will consider with that kind of Budget.

To give a vague idea here a rough example of my budgeting considering my earnings are roughly 2k€ net/month)

Housing: just under 900€ a month including all bills for a double bedroom with own balcony and bathroom in a nice modern apartment complex in Dublin 14.

Food/Drink/Household items/ Hygene: budgeted 250€/ month - largely benefiting from the fact I do have a free canteen at work - I do give a lot about quality if it comes to these things though (includes a monthly haircut approx 25€)

Fun / sparetime : approx 150€ - eating/drinking out with friends, visiting music/sporting events etc. (considering what eating out and drinking costs here in Dublin, both happens relatively infrequently)

Public transport: approx 80€ - using the tram to go to work and at times into the City Centre

Subscriptions: 50€ Netflix, Office365, charities

Insurances: 50€

Saving on shopping and travelling: approx 200€

This leaves me with expenses of approx 1700€ in a „normal“ month - please do not forget though that I usually have breakfast and lunch along with drinks and snacks at the office, what saves me another, say 150€ a month.

If you live in similar conditions/ would be happy with a similar lifestyle and are ok with having 200-300€ at the end of the month for savings/ emergencies I would suggest this heavily overpriced city financially is still a good place for you.

Apart from the Financial side, what the city gives you:

Pros:

-despite being a pretty big place, pretty laid back and super friendly
-full of history
-very multicultural, you will bump into loads of interesting people from all over the world
-a transport hub for travel across the country as well as internationally
-Good Nightlife (though expensive)
-always something going on for sports and music fans
- great career chances, particularly for bi-/multilinguals
-previous point massively growing still, as the city is booming

Contra:

-housing prices
-overall living costs
- public transport within the city is chaotic and not reliable
- safety in some areas (finglas, east wall, Inchicore ...)
-health care (though not Dublin specific but a national issue)

The quality of life in Dublin vs the expenses to be here = objectively not worth it at all. As compared to other European capitols Dublin does not look very attractive yet even after living here for a few years the city can surprise in a positive way. When it comes to safety (1-not safe at all, 10 - very safe) I'd give Dublin mere 5. It's quite common to hear from people about break-ins or robberies or read about murders (although Dublin praises itself as a Fair City :/ Nightlife is vibrant and people here are laidback. When it comes to standards and quality of life - it can vary greatly depending on the area. Avoid areas such as Ronnanstown, Finglas, Rialto, East Wall or Citywest - people just seem dumb and scruffy, the rest of the city all in all looks fine (with South-East leaning towards opulent side). If you are an ordinary worker and not some IT guy working for well-known company life here won't be easy. One of the highest costs of car insurance and rent in Europe as well as medical care. For a minimal wage and full-time employment you will be forced to share a flat for the rest of your life unless you want to spend all what you earn on that. Relationships between people are generally short-lived here as people generally just come and go (stay for a few years to study or work and move on elsewhere). To summarize - quite an interesting experience.

Good for you. That’s not the case for 99% of irish workers

Veeeery few people make 80k let alone 135 that’s a joke

Most devs are in 45 60k plus bonus

Tons of discrimination beware when looking for job as non white nationals

Disagree with many comments. I did well in this city there is no discrimination whatsoever. Renting prices are sky rocket right, but that’s another issue. Don’t come for less than 45k

How well or bad can a family of two live with a total of 4700 euro net/month?

66k is fine.it is a good salary.i believe for full time work the average is around the 48k mark.66k would more or less net you 3700 a month after tax.not bad.

Hi
The average salary is not correct , average full time is around 48k which work out at more or less 2900 a month.
You are including part time work in there i am sure. Dublin's average salary is higher/same level as amsterdam which is set here at 2500 euros more or less.
Having said that it is a total rip off..do not move here for less than 2.5-3k net.

Moving here soon and I'm a bit off put by the decreased household spending power. Everyone says "people in Dublin are paid well so it's fine". I wonder if they understand what being paid well means as most of the people saying this live paycheck to paycheck, renting rooms inside of houses with 3 or 4 flat mates. Fuck that.

People are generally spending 700 to 800 pm on a private room in a shared apartment, Total heating,electricity 100 to 150 and broadband 50. Divide these by number of people in apartment. So it would be approx 800 to 900 pm overall.

That is 2800 p/m approximately after taxes, renting alone would be close to 60% of that income for a basic apartment. So you would need to live with multiple people if you want to maintain a decent standard of living such as vacations, going out, saving & pension investments.

transport is average and prices steep

The worst is the leapcard system very badly designed system takes 24 hours to reflect one transaction on your account. The app sucks and there are no apps to top up on iOS devices. The timetable app does not predict schedules correctly or buses do whatever they want. Not even can keep up with the poor job done by local software companies, scheduled out of sync, no holidays schedules ..... the transport ingormation system must be a cash cow for the local tech Cowboys

Hi,

Could someone tell what is a good salary for one person to live in Dublin? 3500 net for month is ok, or to small? Probably I'll need to live in shared aparatment (but not room), pay higher taxes becaouse I'm single, but is it possible to live good and save something with that salary or no ?

Dublin, itself, is a great city. For living, its nearly impossible. Good luck finding decent housing AT ALL, much less for a reasonable price. You will pay mroe to live in a decent place than you would in most bigger, more notable cities in the world.

Also I don't deny there are massive problems with housing in Dublin .

But if talking about jobs....Dublin has lots of opportunities and if you are legal you will get paid properly for the most part.

Are there some places favouring locals ?
Yes.
Does the sane local favouritism occur around the world.

Of course !!b

I'm an Irish emigrant overseas, nobody have me anything either.

Stop moaning, Ireland is very easy going with foreigners.

There is no meritocracy in tech and even less in a catholic minded country full of altar white boys

If you are not Irish your are dead in the water

Go to London even with brexit

This is a joke

The government need to call a national emergency on the housing crisis. I'm from Dublin and would not recommend anyone to move here. The quality of life is bad.

Pros, vibrant pub, restaurant & theater scene. Good quality cheap food, jobs, Internet and mobile plans are cheap, beautiful scenery 1 hour outside dublin

Cons, Renting sector is a nightmare, way way way overpriced for what you get, shity flat 1 bed cost €1500 or more. Public transport will stress you out and make u take antidepressants, its slow slow slow, the trams and trains overcrowded at rush hour and buses stuck in traffic jams constantly, there's no metro. Heath services are third world even with insurance. People die in er waiting room, jobs wages are too low to live in this city, petrol, tax and insurance is the highest in EU.

I disagree with the others saying they can't get jobs because of the way they look or sound. 8% of multinationals workers are irish the rest foreign. Believe me they hire on merit in Dublin.

Plus the weather would make you sad, rain or gray miserably clouds 24/7.

There's no nightclub scene

I’m a south European expat in IT working for a Corp.

I’m 25, earning 100k+ EUR, wearing Gucci jacket and Nike x Off-White sneakers, and I laid a different girl every weekend, among them girls from Poland, Pakistan, US, locals, ...

Everyone has the city that deserves