Cost of living: Dublin vs San Francisco
Dublin is about 19% cheaper than San Francisco overall. Below: how the two cities compare across rent, groceries, transport, utilities and dining, with indicative monthly budgets.
Cost indices (New York = 100)
Indicative monthly costs (USD)
| Dublin | San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, centre) | $2,300 | $3,400 |
| Single person / month (excl. rent) | $1,150 | $1,500 |
| Family of four / month (excl. rent) | $4,200 | $5,400 |
Dublin
Tight housing market keeps rents high; strong tech-sector salaries.
San Francisco
High salaries offset by very high housing and everyday costs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dublin more expensive than San Francisco?
Dublin is about 19% cheaper than San Francisco overall. These are indicative figures (New York = 100 for the overall index); actual costs depend on neighbourhood and lifestyle.
How much rent should I budget in Dublin vs San Francisco?
A central one-bedroom runs roughly $2,300/month in Dublin and $3,400/month in San Francisco (indicative).
What's a realistic monthly budget for a family of four?
Excluding rent, a family of four spends roughly $4,200/month in Dublin and $5,400/month in San Francisco (indicative).
Cost-of-living figures are indicative planning estimates (New York = 100 for indices; monthly amounts in USD), last reviewed 2026-06-21. Actual costs vary by neighbourhood, lifestyle and exchange rates.