Is Dublin or London cheaper to live in?

Dublin is typically more expensive: ~$4,000/mo avg vs ~$3,800/mo in London (SetTern estimates).

Which has easier visas — Dublin or London?

Dublin: Critical Skills Employment Permit (6–8 weeks). London: Skilled Worker Visa (45–90 days). Always confirm with official government sources.

Which city has a higher SetTern relocation score?

Dublin leads on our 10-point index (6.6 vs 6.3). Scores blend cost, safety, housing, and visa friction.

What is 1BR rent in Dublin vs London?

Dublin ~$2,200/mo; London ~$1,900/mo (indicative).

Who should choose Dublin over London?

Dublin suits: Tech workers, EU citizens. London suits: Career acceleration, Finance & tech.

What are main risks in Dublin and London?

Dublin: Rental vacancy < 0.5% — many new arrivals in hotels for months at €150–200/night. IRP card queues start at 5am. HSE spec… London: NHS waiting times average 18 weeks for non-emergency. Estate agent referencing causes 3–6 week housing delays. Post-Brex…

City vs city

Dublin vs London: London is cheaper on average ($3,800/mo vs $4,000/mo) in 2026.

Compare cost of living, visa pathways, housing, and relocation scores between dublin and london — updated for 2026 on SetTern.io.

Confirm before you apply

Verify cost and relocation information at official sources

Rules change. SetTern summarizes public data for planning — confirm eligibility, fees, and timelines on government portals before you apply.

Last reviewed: 2026-05-19 · How we source facts

Who · How · Why

How this page was built

Who

SetTern relocation research team

How

Facts are synced from government and university sources into verified_facts; optional pipeline summaries cite only those facts.

Why

Help people compare cities, visas, and relocation costs with traceable sources — not to manipulate rankings.

Last substantive review: 2026-05-19

Editorial policy · Methodology

Side-by-side

Metric	Dublin	London
Relocation score	6.6/10	6.3/10
Avg monthly budget	$4,000	$3,800
1BR rent	$2,200	$1,900
Visa route	Critical Skills Employment Permit	Skilled Worker Visa
Visa timeline	6–8 weeks	45–90 days
Visa friction	4.5/10	6.5/10
English-friendly	99%	99%
Safety score	80/100	70/100
Housing score	30/100	30/100

Recommendation

Overall index: Dublin. Budget: London. Visa friction: Dublin. Your personal visa and family situation may override these defaults.

Frequently asked

Is Dublin or London cheaper to live in?: Dublin is typically more expensive: ~$4,000/mo avg vs ~$3,800/mo in London (SetTern estimates).
Which has easier visas — Dublin or London?: Dublin: Critical Skills Employment Permit (6–8 weeks). London: Skilled Worker Visa (45–90 days). Always confirm with official government sources.
Which city has a higher SetTern relocation score?: Dublin leads on our 10-point index (6.6 vs 6.3). Scores blend cost, safety, housing, and visa friction.
What is 1BR rent in Dublin vs London?: Dublin ~$2,200/mo; London ~$1,900/mo (indicative).
Who should choose Dublin over London?: Dublin suits: Tech workers, EU citizens. London suits: Career acceleration, Finance & tech.
What are main risks in Dublin and London?: Dublin: Rental vacancy < 0.5% — many new arrivals in hotels for months at €150–200/night. IRP card queues start at 5am. HSE spec… London: NHS waiting times average 18 weeks for non-emergency. Estate agent referencing causes 3–6 week housing delays. Post-Brex…

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