Cost of Living Comparison Between Ireland and CanadaCost of Living Comparison Between Ireland and Canada
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $2,595 per month in Ireland vs $2,319 in Canada, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,711 per month in Ireland vs $3,378 in Canada, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,827 per month in Ireland vs $4,437 in Canada, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Ireland is about 12% higher than in Canada on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Both Ireland and Canada are pricier than the global median – Ireland by 94%, Canada by 74%.
📏Cost ranges are similar: Ireland spans $1,821–$3,670, Canada $1,332–$3,143. City choice affects budget similarly in either country.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ireland
Canada
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.75€18.13
$18.63CA$26.11
11.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$93.5€81.7
$74.0CA$104
26.30%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.39€9.95
$10.92CA$15.31
4.30%
Cappuccino
$4.38€3.83
$3.76CA$5.28
16.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72€2.38
$2.19CA$3.07
24.20%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.07€1.81
$1.74CA$2.43
18.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.06€6.17
$5.93CA$8.31
19.06%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.33€5.53
$5.95CA$8.35
6.39%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ireland
Canada
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.54€1.34
$2.28CA$3.20
-32.46%
White Bread(500g)
$2.22€1.94
$2.67CA$3.74
-16.85%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.00€1.74
$3.78CA$5.30
-47.09%
Eggs
$4.26€3.72
$3.50CA$4.90
21.71%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.57€9.23
$11.70CA$16.40
-9.66%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.67€10.19
$12.30CA$17.24
-5.12%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.41€11.71
$15.44CA$21.65
-13.15%
Apples(1kg)
$3.19€2.79
$4.28CA$6.00
-25.47%
Banana(1kg)
$2.16€1.88
$1.45CA$2.04
48.97%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.04€2.65
$4.01CA$5.62
-24.19%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.36€3.81
$4.27CA$5.98
2.11%
Potato(1kg)
$2.17€1.90
$2.69CA$3.77
-19.33%
Onion(1kg)
$1.59€1.39
$2.65CA$3.71
-40.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.39€1.22
$2.64CA$3.70
-47.35%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.02€1.77
$1.89CA$2.65
6.88%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$19.52€17.06
$14.77CA$20.71
32.16%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.39€11.70
$13.32CA$18.67
0.53%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.44€3.01
$2.96CA$4.15
16.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.68€3.21
$3.28CA$4.59
12.20%
🚌 Getting Around
Ireland
Canada
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.26€1.97
$2.62CA$3.67
-13.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$97.7€85.4
$78.1CA$110
25.13%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.86€5.12
$3.42CA$4.79
71.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.03€1.77
$1.50CA$2.10
35.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$38.19€33.37
$29.07CA$40.76
31.37%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.98€1.73
$1.20CA$1.68
65.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$42.9K€37.5K
$25.5KCA$35.7K
68.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.2K€34.2K
$20.6KCA$28.8K
90.60%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ireland
Canada
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$246€215
$152CA$212
62.17%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.62€20.63
$46.70CA$65.5
-49.42%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$54.4€47.50
$61.8CA$86.7
-12.08%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ireland
Canada
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$57.0€49.82
$43.36CA$60.8
31.50%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.98€20.08
$18.05CA$25.31
27.31%
Cinema Ticket
$13.66€11.94
$11.51CA$16.13
18.68%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ireland
Canada
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,209€1,056
$806CA$1,130
50.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,711€7,611
$12.1KCA$17.0K
-28.26%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ireland
Canada
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$95.9€83.8
$55.4CA$77.6
73.24%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.26€41.29
$41.80CA$58.6
13.06%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$104€90.8
$89.7CA$126
15.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114€99.6
$106CA$149
7.57%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ireland
Canada
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,882€1,645
$1,329CA$1,864
41.60%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,591€1,390
$1,207CA$1,692
31.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,075€2,686
$2,112CA$2,961
45.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,543€2,222
$1,833CA$2,570
38.71%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,948€4,323
$4,639CA$6,503
6.67%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,824€3,341
$3,849CA$5,396
-0.64%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ireland
Canada
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,572€3,121
$2,948CA$4,133
21.16%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.47
6.33
-29.38%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ireland: July 12, 2026
Last update for Canada: July 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $1,502 in Ireland vs $1,281 in Canada. For reference, capital cities sit at $2,368 in Dublin and $1,481 in Ottawa.
💰Average salary: $3,400 in Ireland vs $2,904 in Canada. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 17% higher in Ireland.
⭐Dining out costs 31% more in Ireland.
⭐Public transport is 52% more expensive in Ireland.
⭐Salaries are 17% higher in Ireland.
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
Ireland vs Canada: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canada more expensive than Ireland?
Canada is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 23% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in Ireland, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Ireland consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Canada, contributing to the overall 23% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget in Canada or in Ireland?
$2,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Canada, but in Ireland it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Canada or to Ireland?
Canada is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.