๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,158 in Helsinki versus $2,596 in Mullingar.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,393 in Helsinki versus $3,731 in Mullingar.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,628 in Helsinki versus $4,866 in Mullingar.
๐Living in Helsinki costs roughly 17% less than in Mullingar, driven mainly by Getting Around.
๐Both cities are pricier than the global median: Helsinki61% above, Mullingar94% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Helsinki
Mullingar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.42โฌ14.86
$20.95โฌ17.87
-16.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$105โฌ89.8
$95.4โฌ81.4
10.27%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.74โฌ10.87
$11.72โฌ10.00
8.70%
Cappuccino
$5.10โฌ4.35
$4.65โฌ3.97
9.68%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.13โฌ2.67
$2.85โฌ2.43
9.82%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.35โฌ2.01
$2.19โฌ1.87
7.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$8.16โฌ6.96
$6.96โฌ5.94
17.24%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$8.15โฌ6.95
$6.83โฌ5.83
19.33%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Helsinki
Mullingar
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38โฌ1.18
$1.54โฌ1.32
-10.39%
White Bread(500g)
$2.73โฌ2.33
$2.05โฌ1.75
33.17%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.76โฌ2.36
$2.22โฌ1.89
24.32%
Eggs
$3.45โฌ2.94
$4.30โฌ3.67
-19.77%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.46โฌ8.07
$11.95โฌ10.19
-20.84%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.74โฌ12.58
$12.62โฌ10.76
16.80%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$22.36โฌ19.08
$15.06โฌ12.84
48.47%
Apples(1kg)
$2.81โฌ2.40
$3.27โฌ2.79
-14.07%
Banana(1kg)
$2.11โฌ1.80
$3.15โฌ2.69
-33.02%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.57โฌ2.19
$3.68โฌ3.14
-30.16%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.76โฌ4.06
$5.63โฌ4.81
-15.45%
Potato(1kg)
$1.23โฌ1.05
$2.75โฌ2.34
-55.27%
Onion(1kg)
$1.84โฌ1.57
$2.21โฌ1.88
-16.74%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.04โฌ1.74
$1.61โฌ1.37
26.71%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.96โฌ1.67
$2.03โฌ1.74
-3.45%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$12.57โฌ10.73
$17.56โฌ14.98
-28.42%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.15โฌ13.78
$12.90โฌ11.01
25.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.21โฌ2.74
$3.82โฌ3.25
-15.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.07โฌ3.47
$3.79โฌ3.23
7.39%
๐ Getting Around
Helsinki
Mullingar
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.68โฌ3.14
$2.48โฌ2.12
48.39%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$80.8โฌ68.9
$97.1โฌ82.8
-16.78%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$7.88โฌ6.72
$4.92โฌ4.19
60.16%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.15โฌ0.98
$2.78โฌ2.37
-58.63%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$70.5โฌ60.2
$35.94โฌ30.66
96.24%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.16โฌ1.84
$2.07โฌ1.77
4.35%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.1Kโฌ30.8K
$43.2Kโฌ36.8K
-16.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.5Kโฌ33.7K
$39.3Kโฌ33.5K
0.61%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Helsinki
Mullingar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$125โฌ107
$91.6โฌ78.2
36.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.19โฌ24.90
$21.89โฌ18.67
33.35%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.76โฌ20.27
$41.09โฌ35.05
-42.18%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Helsinki
Mullingar
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.13โฌ40.20
$45.83โฌ39.09
2.84%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$33.47โฌ28.55
$11.69โฌ9.97
186.31%
Cinema Ticket
$20.16โฌ17.19
$13.98โฌ11.93
44.21%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Helsinki
Mullingar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$398โฌ340
$1,350โฌ1,152
-70.52%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.4Kโฌ9,738
$7,188โฌ6,132
58.82%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Helsinki
Mullingar
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$107โฌ91.5
$104โฌ89.0
2.83%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.03โฌ33.29
$50.4โฌ43.02
-22.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$104โฌ88.8
$102โฌ87.0
2.01%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$127โฌ108
$116โฌ99.3
9.08%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Helsinki
Mullingar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,216โฌ1,037
$1,751โฌ1,494
-30.57%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$936โฌ799
$1,386โฌ1,182
-32.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,146โฌ1,831
$2,156โฌ1,839
-0.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,562โฌ1,332
$1,974โฌ1,684
-20.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$10.5Kโฌ8,929
$4,163โฌ3,551
151.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,020โฌ4,282
$3,940โฌ3,361
27.39%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Helsinki
Mullingar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,250โฌ2,772
$2,790โฌ2,380
16.46%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.09
4.6
-11.09%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Helsinki: April 21, 2026
Last update for Mullingar: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,216 in Helsinki and $1,751 in Mullingar. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐHelsinki pays 16% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
๐Dining out: $105 in Helsinki vs $95 in Mullingar for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $391 vs $380 per month, with Mullingar cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Helsinki vs Mullingar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mullingar cheaper than Helsinki?
Helsinki is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 20% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Helsinki or Mullingar?
Helsinki pays 16% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Helsinki and Mullingar?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,216 in Helsinki versus $1,751 in Mullingar. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Helsinki or Mullingar?
Dining out is cheaper in Helsinki โ a meal for two runs $105 versus $95.0 in Mullingar. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Helsinki vs Mullingar?
All in, you'll spend $2,158 per month in Helsinki versus $2,596 in Mullingar โ a 20% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for Helsinki or Mullingar?
At $2,158 in Helsinki versus $2,596 in Mullingar, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Helsinki but tight or insufficient in Mullingar. The gap between the two cities makes Helsinki the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Helsinki or Mullingar more family-friendly?
For families, Helsinki is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Mullingar, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Helsinki or Mullingar?
Safety-wise, Helsinki and Mullingar are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Helsinki gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 20% less than in Mullingar. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.