Cost of Living in Ireland vs UK for International Students 2024

The cost of living in Ireland vs UK is important for students planning to study abroad. In Ireland, certain expenses like accommodation tend to be higher than in the UK. On the other hand, while the cost of living in UK varies by region, certain cities like London are renowned for being notably expensive compared to Ireland. Therefore, it becomes important for students to consider the costs associated with living, transportation, and food when making their decisions. In this blog, you will find a complete guide on the cost of living in Ireland vs UK 2024. So, if you are ready to shortlist your dream study-abroad destination, let’s get started.

What is the Cost of Living in Ireland vs UK? 

When it comes to the cost of living in Ireland vs UK, there are several insights for students to know before making the decision. The cost of living in Ireland is 2.3% higher than in the UK. Considering accommodation, rent prices in Ireland are 33.7% higher than in the UK. similarly, eating out in restaurants in Ireland is 33.7% higher than in the UK.

Cost of Living in Ireland vs UK – Accommodation

When it comes to study abroad for international students, housing rent is a major factor. Rent varies depending on the type of accommodation, location, and the size of the apartment. In general, rent prices in Ireland are higher than in the UK and may cost you about EUR 1,354.67 for 1 bedroom in the city centre in Ireland. On the other hand, living in UK in the same size apartment may cost you around GBP 1,053.66.

Apartment type	Average Cost in the UK (GBP)	Average Cost in Ireland (EUR)
1 Bedroom (in city centre)	1,053.66	1,354.67
1 Bedroom (outside of centre)	844.67	1,178.49
3 bedrooms (in city centre)	1,754.59	2,276.38
3 bedrooms (outside of centre)	1,341.10	1,865.22

Cost of Living in Ireland vs UK – Utility

The cost of utilities in any country includes your expenses related to electricity, cooling, heating, and water. These costs may depend on the state, municipality, and energy source. While these basic utilities in the UK may cost you more money, Ireland’s internet and phone plans can be more expensive than the UK. For international students, understanding these differences is important for budgeting. 

Utilities / Bills	Average Cost in the UK (GBP)	Average Cost in Ireland (EUR)
Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage	246.08	182.13
Internet (60 Mbps)	30.87	39.34
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan (calls and 10GB+ data)	12.58	17.33

Source: Numbeo

Cost of Living in Ireland vs UK – Grocery

The next thing to consider in your cost of living in Ireland vs UK is groceries. It contains the staples of your diet such as milk, bread, water, rice, fruits, and vegetables. As these small expenses can add up over time, it is important for students to consider the difference to follow their monthly spending budget.

Food item	Average Cost in the UK (GBP)	Average Cost in Ireland (EUR)
Milk (1 litre)	1.25	1.08
White rice (1kg)	1.61	1.34
Eggs (12)	2.94	3.08
White bread loaf (500g)	1.23	1.49
Water (1.5 litre bottle)	1.10	1.37
Lettuce (1 head)	0.80	0.95
Tomato (1kg)	2.65	2.79
Banana (1kg)	1.17	1.58
Apples (1kg)	2.14	2.08

Also Read: Top 10 Reasons to Study in Ireland

Cost of Living in Ireland vs UK- Food 

When comparing food costs between Ireland and the UK, you will notice that expenses related to dining out can vary based on the type of meal and location. The table below shows an overview of the cost of basic meals such as cappuccino, coke, and a 3-course meal in both countries. 

Category	Average Cost in the UK (GBP)	Average Cost in Ireland (EUR)
Coke/Pepsi  (0.33 litre bottle)	1.75	1.88
Cappuccino	3.28	3.07
McMeal at McDonald’s	7.00	7.96
3 Course Meal for 2 People (Mid-range Restaurant)	62.50	67.04

Cost of Living in Ireland vs UK – Transportation

The next thing in this guide on the cost of living in Ireland vs UK is the cost of transportation. These expenses may depend on factors such as the type of transport. While gasoline prices are almost the same in both countries, the cost of a one-way ticket in local transport varies. 

Food item	Average Cost in the UK (GBP)	Average Cost in Ireland (EUR)
Gasoline (1 litre)	1.47	1.48
One-way ticket in local transport	2.15	1.68
Taxi for 1km	1.24	1.68
Monthly Pass	70.00	83.80

Ireland vs UK – Miscellaneous Costs

Apart from the necessities such as food, accommodation, and travel, you have to consider some associated miscellaneous costs as well. This includes leisure expenses such as movie tickets, fitness activities, or an occasional shopping spree.

Category	Average Cost in the UK (GBP)	Average Cost in Ireland (EUR)
Cinema (1 seat)	10.00	10.06
Tennis Court Rent (1 hour)	11.34	16.72
Fitness Club (monthly fee)	33.20	41.47
1 Pair of Jeans	63.90	69.45
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store	31.89	32.13

Also Read: Top 10 Reasons to Study in UK

Ireland vs UK – Average Salary

The average monthly net salary after tax in the UK and Ireland has slight variation only. While the average salary in the UK is around £2,441, it stands at €2,459 in Ireland. For international students considering part-time work or employment, these numbers may offer useful insight. 

Category	Average Cost in the UK (GBP)	Average Cost in Ireland (EUR)
Average Monthly Net Salary (after tax deduction)	2,441.03	2,458.73

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FAQs

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