For tech workers in Europe, the UK and Ireland represent the two dominant hubs for English-speaking talent. Following Brexit, Dublin emerged as the official gatekeeper for US tech giants (Google, Meta, Apple, Stripe) inside the European Union. London, however, remains the undisputed financial and venture capital king of Europe. Which city should you choose?
The Dublin Salary Premium
Due to the presence of high-paying US multinationals, base salaries in Dublin are often 10% to 20% higher in raw cash terms compared to London for comparable engineering roles. A senior engineer in Dublin easily commands €95,000 to €130,000, while London base salaries can hover around £80,000 to £110,000.
Calculate the Dublin vs London Parity
How does Dublin's higher tax and cost structure balance out against London? Run a live calculation using our dynamic widgets below:
The Housing Crisis: Dublin's Fatal Flaw
While Dublin offers fantastic salaries, it suffers from an acute, systemic housing shortage. Finding a place to rent is notoriously difficult. Rents in Dublin city center are higher than in most zones of London, with a standard 1-bedroom flat routinely exceeding €2,200 to €2,600. Even with a high salary, you may face weeks of searching and fierce competition just to secure a basic lease.
London is highly expensive, but its massive geographic spread and world-class underground network mean you have infinitely more rental options, neighborhoods, and price tiers to select from.