Why is Dublin so expensive? Top 5 reasons.

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Ireland’s capital is a wonderful place to live, even if it’s going to cost you. But just what makes Dublin so expensive? I have listed the top five reasons here according to my thoughts.

The capital of the Emerald Isle is a beautiful place to live for a multitude of reasons. From museums and culture to bars and restaurants, there’s always something to do. Dublin is a beautiful European city with some of the most friendly people you’ll ever meet.

Unfortunately, it comes with a high price tag.

Dublin is one of the most expensive cities in Europe to live in, This high cost of living is too much for many city residents and foreign tourists, forcing them to choose other places where their money goes more.

But what makes Dublin so expensive?

Expensive housing – Expensive central accommodation

From a tourist’s point of view, even a weekend in Dublin can be hard on your wallet.

Hotel prices in the city center, if not booked well in advance, often exceed €100 just for one person. And this is for the most basic hotels.

As you move away from the city center, you can find cheaper options. But if you do, you can move on to the next issue on our list.

Transportation costs – coming closer

One major factor that is contributing to the high cost of living in Dublin is the comparatively expensive public transport. For those who travel, a short trip by bus can quickly add up.

Travelers who choose to buy a monthly bus or rail ticket should be willing to pay at around €100 or more. A monthly ticket for Luaus isn’t much more attractive.

Unfortunately, city transport in Dublin is one of the most high-cost in Europe.

Food and Drink – There is no cheap pint in Dublin

It’s no surprise that Ireland is known for its alcohol drinking habits and Dublin is no exception.

Surprisingly, getting a pint of Guinness in the tourist-trap Temple Bar can cost you quite a bit. In fact, it will likely cost between €8 and €10 to buy one there.

Due to its diverse population, Dublin is blessed with some outstanding restaurants, showcasing some of the best cuisine from around the world.

Unfortunately, even if you make the decision to eat at a cheaper place, it will probably cost you €20 per person.

The Silicon Valley of Europe – a business hotspot

Recently, many tech giants have chosen Dublin as their European base.

Companies like Amazon, Facebook, Google, and LinkedIn have set up hubs here because of the low corporate tax.

This has increased employment, creating job opportunities that didn’t exist before the ‘digital boom.’ But there are downsides too.

The demand for housing for temporary employees has gone up, making house prices unaffordable. This leads us to our next point.

Housing prices – the crazy cost of living

Dublin is well known for its housing problems, with homelessness rising and even the smallest share of apartments being joked about online.

There are several reasons why Dublin is so expensive. First, there is not enough housing available. This leads to a great deal of competition among buyers, especially first-timers. Also, there aren’t many tall apartment buildings downtown, so each living space costs more per square meter.

Second, many construction projects stalled during the 2008 economic downturn and never resumed. Since then Dublin has not met the demand for new homes.

Thirdly, Dublin attracts a large number of students. Apart from Trinity College Dublin, the city has many universities that attract students from all over the world. Housing supply cannot keep up with this demand, causing prices to skyrocket.

Dublin is a great city to visit and live in for many reasons, but the high cost of living is not one of them. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like it’s going to get cheaper anytime soon.

A positive aspect is that more tourists and residents are exploring other options. Ireland’s smaller towns and cities are getting more attention, which is helping their local economy. So, it’s not all bad news.