Thun vs Galway: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Galway costs roughly 40% less than Thun. The cost gap makes Galway the stronger pick for financial independence. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Thun is approximately 58% less expensive than Galway based on cost of living including rent. This makes Thun a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Thun has a FIRE Score of 54/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 90, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Thun is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.
About Thun
Thun is a small, safe Swiss town where a single adult can live on a budget tier of $1,789/mo, but the mid-range tier jumps to $2,662/mo and comfortable living costs $3,246/mo. With an average net salary of $5,760/mo, locals can afford these prices, yet expats face a small community and a cost of living index of 100/100. The trade-off is excellent healthcare, a safety index of 90/100, and a 3 km hop to BRN, but you will pay $29 for an inexpensive restaurant meal and $243/mo for public transport. It suits remote workers and retirees who value order over buzz, not anyone chasing a big-city social scene.
About Switzerland
Only wealthy, financially independent retirees 55+ should look here: the retirement visa exists, but at CHF 2100/mo income minimum against rent alone hitting $2,030/mo in city centers, this filters out anyone not already comfortable. Safety (73.5) and healthcare (71.5) are excellent trade-offs for top combined rates that can reach around 45% in higher-tax cantons and difficult citizenship path. Bad fit: digital nomads (no visa), budget seekers, or anyone wanting an easy path to permanent residency.
$338/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Galway
Galway is a small city that punches well above its weight: 83 thousand people, an 82/100 expat score, and a safety index of 88/100 make it one of the easiest soft landings in Ireland. The catch is rent. A 1-bedroom in the city center runs $2,281/mo against an average local net salary of $2,886/mo, so unless you are remote or dual-income, the math gets ugly fast. Digital nomads and retirees will get the most out of it, though retirees should note the Stamp 0 income floor of $4,350/mo sits well above what most locals earn.
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.
$196/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
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| Metric | Thun | Galway |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1439.96 | $2281.46 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $1199.97 | $1935.54 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $2159.94 | $3632.14 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1919.95 | $2724.69 |
| Safety Index | 90 | 88 |
| Internet Speed | 85Mbps | 95Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Thun | Galway |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $2,784/mo | $2,898/mo |
| Excluding rent | $1,584/mo | $962/mo |
| Rent | $1,200/mo | $1,936/mo |
| Groceries | $441/mo | $225/mo |
| Dining out | $288/mo | $224/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $213/mo | $136/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $399/mo | $315/mo |
| Transport | $243/mo | $62.00/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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Thun vs Galway -- Frequently Asked Questions
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