Urban Stress Index
An indicator of housing and food cost burden across cities

Dublin vs Galway

Urban Stress & Living Expense Analysis

Data Snapshot: Dublin (2025 Q2) | Galway (2025 Q2)

Dublin

Ireland

68.28 Unaffordable
VS

Galway

Ireland

55.04 Severe burden

Comparative Metrics Breakdown

Metric Dublin Galway
Average Monthly Salary 3449.96 3059.66
Monthly Rent (1BR Central) 1835.62 1216.00
Monthly Food Cost 520.00 468.00
Rental Index (% of Income) 53.21% 39.74%
Engels Index (Food % of Income) 15.07% 15.30%
Urban Stress Index (USI) 68.28 55.04

Executive Stress Analysis

Data reveals an acute imbalance in daily living costs and expenditure friction between Dublin and Galway. As domestic markets within Ireland, direct nominal benchmarking reveals Dublin carrying an Urban Stress Index of 68.28 (Unaffordable) versus Galway's 55.04 (Severe burden). Nominal 1-bedroom central rents stand at 1835.62 in Dublin compared to 1216.00 in Galway. After deducting baseline central rent and essential grocery overhead, workers retain approximately 1094.43 per month in Dublin versus 1375.53 in Galway—allowing residents in Galway to retain an estimated 281.10 more in monthly discretionary buffer.

Accommodation costs present a primary divergence: Dublin's Rental Index (53.21%) significantly outpaces or trails Galway (39.74%), sharply impacting disposable income margins. Baseline food overhead remains comparable, with both locations requiring roughly 15.07% to 15.30% of local income for monthly grocery baskets.

Detailed Methodology & Local Sources

For complete statistical breakdowns, specific sampling proxies, and primary source citations:

Explore Related Comparisons