How Ireland compares across key indices
Cost of Living
95 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
92/100
Healthcare
76/100
Quality of Life
180/200
How far your money goes in Ireland
Cost of Living
95
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
72
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
95
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
100
100 = NYC dining
How safe residents feel in Ireland - based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
92/100
Crime Index
3/100
Lower is better
0 point drop from day to night
Ireland has 39 cities with Freedom Abroad estimates. Monthly costs for a single person range from $1,890 in Swords to $2,445 in Dublin. Waterford leads on safety, scoring 95/100. Swords ranks highest for quality of life at 179/200.
Swords
$1,890/mo
Waterford
95/100
Swords
179/200
Dublin
87/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | $2,445 | 87/100 | 173/200 | 87/100 | 23 |
| South Dublin | $2,062 | 92/100 | 177/200 | 78/100 | 15 |
| Cork | $2,025 | 93/100 | 177/200 | 76/100 | 14 |
| Limerick | $1,953 | 94/100 | 178/200 | 74/100 | 11 |
| Galway | $1,941 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 74/100 | 10 |
| Tallaght | $1,938 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 74/100 | 10 |
| Waterford | $1,896 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 9 |
| Swords | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Drogheda | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Dundalk | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Bray | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Douglas | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| DĂşn Laoghaire | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Ennis | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Navan | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Carlow | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Tralee | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Droichead Nua | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Sandyford | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Balbriggan | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Kilkenny | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Athlone | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Naas | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Celbridge | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Wexford | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Finglas | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Letterkenny | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Sligo | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Ballincollig | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Greystones | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Rathfarnham | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| An Muileann gCearr | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Cluain Meala | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Malahide | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Blanchardstown | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Carrigaline | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Leixlip | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Donaghmede | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
| Lucan | $1,890 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 72/100 | 8 |
Freedom Abroad estimates are modeled for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Verified school profiles for families comparing language model, grade range, credentials, and admissions next steps in Ireland. Tuition appears only when published in verified public sources.
7
Verified records
2
Cities covered
4
Credential signals
Ages and grades
Ages vary by program
Primary, Middle school, High school
Tuition
Contact school
Confirm current fees directly with the school.
Ages and grades
Ages vary by program
Middle school, High school
Tuition
Contact school
Confirm current fees directly with the school.
Ages and grades
Ages vary by program
Primary
Tuition
Contact school
Confirm current fees directly with the school.
Ages and grades
Ages vary by program
International curriculum
Tuition
Contact school
Confirm current fees directly with the school.
Ages and grades
Ages vary by program
International curriculum
Tuition
Contact school
Confirm current fees directly with the school.
Ages and grades
Ages vary by program
High school
Tuition
Contact school
Confirm current fees directly with the school.
Ages and grades
Ages vary by program
High school
Tuition
Contact school
Confirm current fees directly with the school.
School records are maintained from direct school pages, public credential directories, public registry claims, and carefully labeled directory/community sources. Admissions, seat availability, and tuition can change quickly, so Freedom Abroad treats unpublished costs as “Contact school” instead of estimating.
Healthcare system overview for Ireland
Recommended PartnerReal coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.
A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR
Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Ireland
Pollution Index
16/100
Lower is better
PM2.5
8.2ug/m3
Good
Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Common questions about living in Ireland, answered with data
Ireland has a cost of living index of 95 relative to New York City (100). It is on par with or more expensive than major US cities. Monthly costs for a single person start around $2,025 in Cork and reach $2,445 in Dublin.
Cork is the most affordable city in Ireland in Freedom Abroad estimates, with estimated monthly costs of $2,025 for a single person including rent. South Dublin is the next most affordable at $2,062/mo.
Ireland has a safety index of 92/100, making it very safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Cork scores highest on safety at 93/100.
Cork ranks highest for quality of life in Ireland, scoring 177/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $2,025/mo for a single person.
Ireland scores 76/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it excellent by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.
Ireland has a pollution index of 16/100 (lower = cleaner). This is relatively clean by global standards, making it appealing for those prioritising air quality and outdoor lifestyle.
Your pre-departure checklist for Ireland
Where Can I Move?
Check whether this country fits your passport, budget, work setup, safety floor, and priorities.
Build My Escape Plan
Turn this country into a practical move plan with visa, insurance, housing, banking, and scouting-trip next steps.
Compare Countries
Side-by-side breakdown of cost of living, safety, healthcare, and more.
Cost of Living
Model monthly costs with Freedom Abroad estimates before you narrow the shortlist.
Recommended PartnerReal coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.
A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR
Get a multi-currency account before you leave. Essential for managing money abroad.
eSIM, VPN, and reliable internet - sorted before you land.
Secure at least your first week. Having a home base makes everything else easier.
Find the cheapest flights with flexible date search. Set alerts for price drops on your route.
Follow Ireland
Future guides and articles for Ireland will land in your inbox.
Cost of living, safety, school, and quality-of-life figures on this page are Freedom Abroad estimates or verified public records modeled from open sources. Data sources
Freedom Abroad helps you figure out the part nobody talks about: how to actually build a life in another country. Films, tools, and data. No fluff.
Learn about our mission