City comparison
🇮🇪 Dublin vs 🇧🇪 Brussels
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, taxes, and quality of life for expats.
Quick verdict
More affordable
Brussels
14% cheaper overall
Higher quality of life
Dublin
8/10 vs 7.5/10
Cost of living comparison
| Category | 🇮🇪 Dublin | 🇧🇪 Brussels |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, center) | €2,000 | €1,100 |
| Rent (1-bed, suburb) | €1,600 | €850 |
| Groceries (single) | €400 | €300 |
| Transport pass | €120 | €49 |
| Restaurant (2 people) | €70 | €60 |
| Monthly budget (moderate) | €3,400 | €2,500 |
Quality of life
| Metric | 🇮🇪 Dublin | 🇧🇪 Brussels |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Safety | 8.5/10 | 7/10 |
| Healthcare | 8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Education | 9/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Expat Community | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| English Proficiency | 10/10 | 7.5/10 |
Tax & practical info
🇮🇪
Dublin
Ireland Tax regime 20–40% progressive + USC + PRSI
Climate Oceanic mild
Nomad visa —
Effective tax rate 30–40%
Avg. salary €45,000–€75,000
🇧🇪
Brussels
Belgium Tax regime Progressive 25–50%, expat regime (BBIB)
Climate Oceanic
Nomad visa —
Effective tax rate 35–45%
Avg. salary €40,000–€65,000
Crunch the numbers
Use our calculators to compare your actual take-home pay and monthly budget.
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