Dun Laoghaire vs Sliema: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Sliema costs roughly 9% less than Dun Laoghaire. Dun Laoghaire has significantly faster average internet speeds (100 Mbps vs 75 Mbps). Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Dun Laoghaire is approximately 17% less expensive than Sliema based on cost of living including rent. This makes Dun Laoghaire a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Dun Laoghaire has a FIRE Score of 56/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 78, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Dun Laoghaire is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.
About Dun Laoghaire
Dun Laoghaire is a coastal Dublin suburb that prices like a small city and delivers like one, with a 1-bedroom in the center running $1,497/mo against an average net salary of $4,308/mo. The math is tight but workable, and the 75/100 expat and digital nomad scores plus a 78/100 safety index explain why the village, Sandycove, Glasthule, and Monkstown keep pulling in newcomers. Retirees on Ireland Stamp 0 need $4,350/mo, which sits just above the local average wage, so this is a comfortable landing spot only if your income travels with you. For everyone else, it is a solid, safe, English-speaking base with excellent healthcare and a large active expat crowd, not a bargain.
About Ireland
A city center 1BR at $1,776.90 a month rivals rents in Boston or DC, with no digital nomad visa available. Retirees need USD 4,350/mo proof of income, a real barrier at 20-40% progressive tax plus PRSI and USC. English fluency and a clear citizenship path help, but the math only works if your retirement income clears that bar comfortably.
$652/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Sliema
Sliema is a solid pick if you want Mediterranean living without a language barrier, and the numbers back it up: a cost of living index of 62 against NYC, English widely spoken, and an expat score of 84. The catch is rent, where a one bedroom in the center runs $1,751/mo while the average local net salary sits at $1,820/mo, so remote workers and retirees on outside income will fare far better than anyone hunting for a local job. Budget roughly $2,001/mo for a mid-range single life, and accept that this compact 23 thousand person town trades space and quiet for walkability and a large, active expat crowd.
About Malta
Best for digital nomads: Malta offers a Nomad Residence Permit with a clear USD 3,997/mo income requirement, making it accessible for remote workers. Safety is high (US Travel Advisory Level 1) and English proficiency is high, easing daily life. However, the progressive income tax (0% to 35%) can be a hidden cost for higher earners, and the Nomad Residence Permit can lead to permanent residency.
$999/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Dun Laoghaire | Sliema |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1497.48 | $1751.27 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $1476.54 | $1216.78 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $3625.94 | $2918.78 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $3139.99 | $2382.55 |
| Safety Index | 78 | 85 |
| Internet Speed | 100Mbps | 75.2Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Dun Laoghaire | Sliema |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $2,369/mo | $2,058/mo |
| Excluding rent | $892/mo | $841/mo |
| Rent | $1,477/mo | $1,217/mo |
| Groceries | $224/mo | $212/mo |
| Dining out | $224/mo | $196/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $132/mo | $128/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $312/mo | $171/mo |
| Transport | N/A | $134/mo |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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