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) | €2,180 | €1,200 |
| Rent (1-bed, suburb) | €1,880 | €1,000 |
| Groceries (single) | €400 | €300 |
| Transport pass | €96 | €56 |
| Restaurant (2 people) | €90 | €80 |
| Monthly budget (moderate) | €3,600 | €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
IrelandTax regime
20 to 40% progressive + USC + PRSI
Climate
Oceanic mild
Nomad visa
No
Effective tax rate
30 to 40%
Avg. salary
€45,000 to €75,000
🇧🇪
Brussels
BelgiumTax regime
Progressive 25 to 50%, expat regime (BBIB)
Climate
Oceanic
Nomad visa
No
Effective tax rate
35 to 45%
Avg. salary
€40,000 to €65,000
Crunch the numbers
Use our calculators to compare your actual take-home pay and monthly budget.
These figures are indicative and based on public datasets. They are not the opinion of a tax lawyer. Consult a tax lawyer, a chartered accountant or a licensed financial professional before making relocation or employment decisions.
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