Cost of Living in Dublin

Dublin's rental market is in a well-documented crisis, with nationwide availability dropping below 2,000 listings in late 2025 and properties being snapped up within 10-14 days of listing. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre (Dublin 1-2) averages 2,100-2,540 EUR ($2,180-2,640) per month, while popular southside neighborhoods like Rathmines and Portobello range from 1,700-2,200 EUR ($1,770-2,290). More affordable options exist in areas like Smithfield and Stoneybatter at 1,600-2,000 EUR ($1,660-2,080), or the coastal suburb of Dun Laoghaire at 1,500-1,900 EUR ($1,560-1,980), which offers a seaside lifestyle with a 25-minute DART train ride to the centre.

Dublin is one of Europe's pricier capitals for dining out, but digital nomads can eat well by knowing where to look. A meal at a casual restaurant or pub typically runs €15-20 for mains like fish and chips, shepherd's pie, or Irish stew, while a lunchtime sandwich or soup-and-bread combo costs €8-11. Pub grub remains the backbone of affordable dining, with most neighborhood pubs outside Temple Bar offering filling plates for €14-18. A pint of domestic beer averages €6.50, so drinks add up quickly. Fast food combos at McDonald's or Supermac's cost around €10, and a falafel wrap or kebab from takeaway shops runs €9-12, making them solid quick-lunch options for remote workers on a break.

Dublin has a competitive supermarket landscape that rewards smart shoppers. The German discounters Aldi and Lidl are the go-to chains for budget-conscious nomads, consistently offering the lowest prices on staples and rotating weekly specials on everything from fresh produce to pantry essentials. Tesco is the largest full-range chain with locations throughout the city, and its Clubcard loyalty program unlocks meaningful discounts on hundreds of items. Dunnes Stores and SuperValu skew slightly pricier but carry strong own-brand ranges and quality fresh counters. For organic and specialty products, stores like Fresh and smaller health food shops are scattered across the city center, though at a noticeable premium.

Dublin's public transport network runs on three main systems: Dublin Bus, the Luas tram, and the DART commuter rail. Dublin Bus covers the entire metro area with over 130 routes operating from around 05:30 to 23:30 daily, while the Luas operates two tram lines—the Green Line running north-south through Ranelagh and Dundrum, and the Red Line running east-west through the city center to Tallaght and Saggart. The DART coastal rail connects Howth in the north to Greystones in the south, serving popular neighborhoods like Dun Laoghaire and Blackrock. The entire system is unified by the TFI Leap Card, a rechargeable smart card that offers significant savings over cash fares. A single journey costs just €2 with the 90-minute transfer feature, letting you switch freely between bus, Luas, and DART on one fare. Daily spending is capped at €8 and weekly at €32, making regular commuting predictable and affordable for longer stays.

Dublin offers strong internet infrastructure for remote workers. Fixed broadband averages around 100-200 Mbps on fiber connections, with Virgin Media leading at roughly 205 Mbps average download speed. Vodafone and Eir also provide reliable fiber plans across the city. Mobile internet is equally solid, with Vodafone delivering average 4G/5G speeds near 130 Mbps. Most residential apartments in the city center come with fiber-ready connections, so securing fast internet in your accommodation is straightforward. Public WiFi is available at many cafes, though speeds and reliability vary considerably—expect 20-50 Mbps at well-equipped spots like established coffee chains and specialty cafes near the tech quarter around Grand Canal Dock.

Dublin's healthcare system operates as a two-tier public-private model. A standard GP visit costs EUR 50-70 at most clinics, though some central Dublin practices charge up to EUR 80. You won't need a referral to book — simply register with a local surgery in your area. If you have a Medical Card or GP Visit Card you'll pay nothing, but most digital nomads pay out of pocket and can claim 20% tax relief via a Med 1 form at year-end. For urgent after-hours care, services like D-Doc charge EUR 60-100 per consultation. Emergency departments at public hospitals such as St. James's, the Mater, and St. Vincent's cost EUR 100 per visit without a GP referral, though waits can stretch to several hours. Private options like Beacon Hospital and Mater Private offer faster access but require insurance or higher fees.

Dublin's maritime climate means mild but unpredictable weather year-round. Summers average 15-20C with long daylight hours stretching past 10pm in June, while winters hover around 3-8C with frequent grey skies and rain. Pack layers and a waterproof jacket regardless of season — locals say you can experience four seasons in a single day. The best window for digital nomads is May through September, when outdoor cafes and parks become viable workspaces and the city buzzes with festivals. Shoulder months of May-June and September offer lower accommodation costs than peak summer while still delivering pleasant conditions.