Back to Resources

    Dublin vs Amsterdam: A Complete Data-Driven Comparison

    ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช

    Dublin

    Ireland ยท $2,800/mo

    0.00
    Total
    0.00
    Nomad
    ๐Ÿšฒ

    Amsterdam

    Netherlands ยท $2,800/mo

    0.00
    Total
    0.00
    Nomad

    Choosing between Dublin, Ireland and Amsterdam, Netherlands is one of the most common dilemmas facing digital nomads, expats, and remote workers in 2026. Both cities offer unique advantages. But the right choice depends entirely on your priorities, budget, and lifestyle preferences.

    In this comprehensive comparison, we analyze Dublin and Amsterdam across 12 critical categories: Economic Factors, Quality of Life, Infrastructure & Connectivity, Housing & Living Spaces, and 8 more categories. Each category is scored on a 0-100 scale using data from over 20 verified sources, including Numbeo, WHO, Speedtest, and local government statistics.

    Dublin earns an overall score of 79.32/100, while Amsterdam scores 74.36/100. A 4.96-point modest gap that Dublin leads. But headline scores never tell the full story. Let's break down exactly where each city excels and where it falls short.

    Dublin is described as: "Europe's tech hub with a friendly pub culture. High salaries offset by high rents." Meanwhile, Amsterdam is known as: "Progressive, bike-friendly, and tech-savvy. One of Europe's most connected cities." These reputations are earned. But how do they hold up under rigorous data analysis? Read on.

    Economic Factors

    Dublin

    72
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    61

    In economic factors, Dublin takes the lead with a score of 72/100 compared to 61/100. This category covers employment & income, cost factors, economic environment.

    Dublin has a solid advantage in cost factors (58 vs 43). Dublin has a solid advantage in economic environment (83 vs 72).

    Dublin stands out for currency stability, economic stability, banking system, though housing costs and tax rates could be improved. Amsterdam performs well in currency stability and economic stability despite the overall gap.

    Employment & Income

    Dublin

    80
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    76

    Job Market Strength

    78/ 10075

    Salary Levels

    82/ 10075

    Freelance/Remote Work Market

    72/ 10080

    Entrepreneurship Environment

    88/ 10075

    Cost Factors

    Dublin

    58
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    43

    Housing Costs

    23/ 10020

    Daily Living Costs

    58/ 10035

    Transportation Costs

    82/ 10040

    Entertainment Costs

    55/ 10035

    Healthcare Costs

    68/ 10055

    Education Costs

    62/ 10070

    Economic Environment

    Dublin

    83
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    72

    Tax Rates

    52/ 10035

    Business Regulations

    85/ 10065

    Economic Stability

    92/ 10085

    Currency Stability

    95/ 10090

    Banking System

    90/ 10085

    Quality of Life

    Dublin

    78
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    69

    In quality of life, Dublin takes the lead with a score of 78/100 compared to 69/100. This category covers healthcare, education, safety & environment, climate & nature.

    Dublin has a solid advantage in safety & environment (82 vs 69). Dublin has a commanding lead in climate & nature (77 vs 53).

    Dublin stands out for english-speaking medical staff, political stability, natural disaster risk, though sunshine hours and rainfall patterns could be improved. Amsterdam performs well in english-speaking medical staff and international schools despite the overall gap.

    Healthcare

    Dublin

    74
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    77

    Healthcare Quality

    74/ 10080

    Healthcare Accessibility

    62/ 10075

    Healthcare Affordability

    70/ 10065

    English-Speaking Medical Staff

    100/ 10095

    Mental Health Services

    65/ 10075

    Dental Care

    72/ 10070

    Education

    Dublin

    80
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    82

    School Quality

    78/ 10080

    International Schools

    82/ 10090

    Universities

    88/ 10085

    Language Schools

    78/ 10080

    Vocational Training

    72/ 10075

    Safety & Environment

    Dublin

    82
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    69

    Crime Rates

    68/ 10065

    Personal Safety

    82/ 10070

    Political Stability

    96/ 10085

    Natural Disaster Risk

    96/ 10060

    Air Quality

    72/ 10065

    Water Quality

    92/ 10090

    Noise Pollution

    68/ 10050

    Climate & Nature

    Dublin

    77
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    53

    Climate Suitability

    84/ 10050

    Sunshine Hours

    52/ 10045

    Rainfall Patterns

    58/ 10045

    Natural Beauty

    90/ 10075

    Green Spaces

    94/ 10075

    Beach/Water Access

    78/ 10060

    Mountains/Hiking

    82/ 10020

    Infrastructure & Connectivity

    Dublin

    79
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    79

    In infrastructure & connectivity, Dublin takes the lead with a score of 79/100 compared to 79/100. This category covers transportation, connectivity, digital infrastructure.

    Dublin stands out for airport connectivity, mobile network quality, airport distance, though traffic congestion and driving conditions could be improved. Amsterdam performs well in bike infrastructure and car ownership necessity despite the overall gap.

    Transportation

    Dublin

    71
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    76

    Public Transport Quality

    78/ 10080

    Public Transport Coverage

    82/ 10080

    Public Transport Affordability

    86/ 10055

    Bike Infrastructure

    74/ 100100

    Walkability

    82/ 10085

    Traffic Congestion

    32/ 10055

    Driving Conditions

    48/ 10060

    Taxi/Rideshare

    82/ 10070

    Car Ownership Necessity

    78/ 10095

    Connectivity

    Dublin

    83
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    82

    Airport Connectivity

    94/ 10095

    Airport Distance

    90/ 10075

    Train Connections

    78/ 10090

    Bus Connections

    85/ 10080

    Ferry Connections

    68/ 10070

    Digital Infrastructure

    Dublin

    86
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    80

    Internet Speed

    88/ 10085

    Internet Reliability

    90/ 10090

    Internet Cost

    82/ 10060

    Mobile Network Quality

    92/ 10085

    Coworking Spaces

    86/ 10085

    Public WiFi

    80/ 10075

    Housing & Living Spaces

    Dublin

    60
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    58

    In housing & living spaces, Dublin takes the lead with a score of 60/100 compared to 58/100. This category covers housing market, neighborhoods.

    Dublin stands out for proximity to amenities, expat/international areas, neighborhood diversity, though rental availability and rental costs could be improved. Amsterdam performs well in expat/international areas and proximity to amenities despite the overall gap.

    Housing Market

    Dublin

    47
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    45

    Rental Availability

    18/ 10025

    Rental Costs

    20/ 10020

    Purchase Prices

    25/ 10020

    Housing Quality

    78/ 10075

    Housing Variety

    75/ 10065

    Landlord Regulations

    65/ 10065

    Neighborhoods

    Dublin

    79
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    76

    Neighborhood Diversity

    82/ 10085

    Expat/International Areas

    88/ 10090

    Gentrification Trends

    55/ 10040

    Proximity to Amenities

    92/ 10090

    Daily Life & Services

    Dublin

    82
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    76

    In daily life & services, Dublin takes the lead with a score of 82/100 compared to 76/100. This category covers shopping & retail, food & dining, essential services, utilities & connectivity.

    Dublin stands out for alcohol availability, cafรฉ culture, electricity reliability, though utility costs and restaurant affordability could be improved. Amsterdam performs well in water reliability and restaurant variety despite the overall gap.

    Shopping & Retail

    Dublin

    79
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    75

    Supermarket Availability

    90/ 10080

    Shopping Mall Quantity

    65/ 10060

    Shopping Mall Quality

    75/ 10070

    International Brands

    85/ 10085

    Local Markets

    80/ 10085

    Opening Hours

    68/ 10060

    E-commerce

    90/ 10085

    Food & Dining

    Dublin

    85
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    76

    Restaurant Variety

    94/ 10090

    Restaurant Quality

    90/ 10080

    Restaurant Affordability

    58/ 10040

    Cafรฉ Culture

    96/ 10080

    Street Food

    72/ 10070

    Alcohol Availability

    98/ 10090

    Food Delivery

    85/ 10085

    Essential Services

    Dublin

    83
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    76

    Pharmacy Density

    90/ 10080

    24-Hour Pharmacies

    65/ 10060

    Medicine Availability

    92/ 10085

    Postal Services

    78/ 10075

    Banking Services

    92/ 10080

    Laundry Services

    80/ 10070

    Repair Services

    78/ 10070

    Hair Salons/Barbers

    88/ 10080

    Pet Services

    80/ 10080

    Utilities & Connectivity

    Dublin

    82
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    76

    Electricity Reliability

    96/ 10090

    Water Reliability

    95/ 10095

    Utility Costs

    52/ 10040

    Heating/Cooling

    82/ 10070

    Waste Management

    85/ 10085

    Cultural & Social Life

    Dublin

    88
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    86

    In cultural & social life, Dublin takes the lead with a score of 88/100 compared to 86/100. This category covers culture & entertainment, social life, community.

    Dublin stands out for language barriers, music scene, local friendliness, though dating scene and cinema options could be improved. Amsterdam performs well in museums & galleries and art scene despite the overall gap.

    Culture & Entertainment

    Dublin

    87
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    89

    Museums & Galleries

    90/ 100100

    Historical Sites

    95/ 10090

    Theaters & Performing Arts

    85/ 10085

    Music Scene

    96/ 10090

    Cinema Options

    80/ 10080

    Libraries

    82/ 10080

    Art Scene

    80/ 10095

    Social Life

    Dublin

    86
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    82

    Nightlife Quality

    95/ 10090

    Nightlife Safety

    82/ 10070

    Festival Calendar

    90/ 10090

    Sports Culture

    85/ 10075

    Social Clubs

    80/ 10080

    Dating Scene

    78/ 10075

    LGBTQ+ Scene

    94/ 10095

    Community

    Dublin

    92
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    86

    Local Friendliness

    96/ 10065

    Expat Community Size

    90/ 10095

    Expat Integration

    85/ 10085

    Language Barriers

    100/ 10095

    Cultural Events

    90/ 10090

    Professional & Career

    Dublin

    81
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    82

    In professional & career, Amsterdam takes the lead with a score of 82/100 compared to 81/100. This category covers business environment, work environment, market opportunities.

    Amsterdam stands out for major companies, internet for work, industry clusters, though competition level and business visa options could be improved. Dublin performs well in internet for work and industry clusters despite the overall gap.

    Business Environment

    Dublin

    85
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    85

    Industry Clusters

    90/ 10085

    Major Companies

    88/ 10090

    Startup Ecosystem

    86/ 10085

    Coworking Culture

    85/ 10085

    Professional Networking

    80/ 10085

    Business Associations

    78/ 10080

    Work Environment

    Dublin

    84
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    83

    Work-Life Balance

    76/ 10085

    Remote Work Acceptance

    85/ 10085

    Internet for Work

    95/ 10090

    Time Zone

    82/ 10080

    Business Visa Options

    80/ 10075

    Market Opportunities

    Dublin

    70
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    73

    Client Base

    85/ 10085

    Freelance Market

    74/ 10080

    Competition Level

    50/ 10055

    Lifestyle & Pace

    Dublin

    77
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    67

    In lifestyle & pace, Dublin takes the lead with a score of 77/100 compared to 67/100. This category covers daily rhythm, lifestyle options, tourism impact.

    Dublin has a commanding lead in tourism impact (75 vs 48).

    Dublin stands out for authenticity, weekend culture, pet friendliness, though crowding and tourist volume could be improved. Amsterdam performs well in tourist infrastructure and weekend culture despite the overall gap.

    Daily Rhythm

    Dublin

    78
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    72

    Pace of Life

    78/ 10070

    Working Hours Culture

    75/ 10080

    Dining Hours

    80/ 10060

    Shop Opening Hours

    70/ 10065

    Weekend Culture

    85/ 10085

    Lifestyle Options

    Dublin

    79
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    80

    Outdoor Lifestyle

    84/ 10075

    Fitness Culture

    78/ 10085

    Health Consciousness

    70/ 10085

    Pet Friendliness

    85/ 10080

    Family Orientation

    80/ 10075

    Tourism Impact

    Dublin

    75
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    48

    Tourist Volume

    65/ 10025

    Tourism Seasonality

    75/ 10045

    Tourist Infrastructure

    85/ 10090

    Authenticity

    88/ 10050

    Crowding

    62/ 10030

    Legal & Administrative

    Dublin

    84
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    79

    In legal & administrative, Dublin takes the lead with a score of 84/100 compared to 79/100. This category covers visa & residency, administration, rights & freedoms.

    Dublin has a solid advantage in visa & residency (79 vs 69).

    Dublin stands out for language requirements, lgbtq+ rights, deportation risk, though residency process and bureaucracy level could be improved. Amsterdam performs well in lgbtq+ rights and freedom of speech despite the overall gap.

    Visa & Residency

    Dublin

    79
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    69

    Visa Requirements

    75/ 10065

    Residency Options

    82/ 10070

    Residency Process

    62/ 10060

    Citizenship Pathway

    80/ 10065

    Deportation Risk

    95/ 10085

    Administration

    Dublin

    80
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    73

    Bureaucracy Level

    65/ 10055

    Digital Government

    78/ 10080

    Document Requirements

    70/ 10055

    Language Requirements

    98/ 10090

    Legal System

    90/ 10085

    Rights & Freedoms

    Dublin

    92
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    94

    Freedom of Speech

    95/ 10095

    Religious Freedom

    95/ 10095

    Women's Rights

    90/ 10090

    LGBTQ+ Rights

    96/ 100100

    Worker Rights

    85/ 10090

    Family & Children

    Dublin

    72
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    73

    In family & children, Amsterdam takes the lead with a score of 73/100 compared to 72/100. This category covers child-friendly infrastructure, family services.

    Amsterdam stands out for playgrounds, kid activities, child safety, though childcare costs and family housing could be improved. Dublin performs well in child safety and playgrounds despite the overall gap.

    Child-Friendly Infrastructure

    Dublin

    82
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    83

    Playgrounds

    85/ 10085

    Kid Activities

    82/ 10085

    Child Safety

    90/ 10085

    Pediatric Care

    75/ 10080

    Baby/Toddler Facilities

    78/ 10080

    Family Services

    Dublin

    61
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    62

    Childcare Availability

    55/ 10065

    Childcare Costs

    40/ 10040

    School Holidays

    70/ 10075

    Extracurricular Activities

    80/ 10085

    Family Housing

    60/ 10045

    Practical Considerations

    Dublin

    81
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    75

    In practical considerations, Dublin takes the lead with a score of 81/100 compared to 75/100. This category covers transportation costs, special services, communication, emergency services.

    Dublin has a solid advantage in transportation costs (68 vs 57).

    Dublin stands out for translation services, language learning, emergency numbers, though fuel prices and vehicle costs could be improved. Amsterdam performs well in translation services and international calling despite the overall gap.

    Transportation Costs

    Dublin

    68
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    57

    Fuel Prices

    48/ 10030

    Gas Station Density

    90/ 10070

    EV Infrastructure

    75/ 10085

    Vehicle Costs

    55/ 10035

    Vehicle Maintenance

    70/ 10065

    Special Services

    Dublin

    84
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    82

    Moving Services

    80/ 10080

    Storage Facilities

    75/ 10070

    Translation Services

    95/ 10090

    Legal Services

    85/ 10085

    Accounting Services

    85/ 10085

    Communication

    Dublin

    88
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    80

    Postal Reliability

    80/ 10075

    Package Import

    88/ 10070

    Language Learning

    95/ 10085

    International Calling

    90/ 10090

    Emergency Services

    Dublin

    88
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    84

    Emergency Response

    88/ 10085

    Emergency Healthcare

    78/ 10085

    Emergency Numbers

    95/ 10090

    Natural Disaster Preparedness

    92/ 10075

    Specific to Your Profile

    Dublin

    86
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    83

    In specific to your profile, Dublin takes the lead with a score of 86/100 compared to 83/100. This category covers remote work specific, personal circumstances.

    Dublin stands out for language skills, cafรฉ laptop culture, video call quality, though citizenship advantages and partner citizenship advantages could be improved. Amsterdam performs well in language skills and video call quality despite the overall gap.

    Remote Work Specific

    Dublin

    88
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    84

    Time Zone Alignment

    80/ 10080

    Coworking Day Passes

    85/ 10085

    Cafรฉ Laptop Culture

    92/ 10080

    Video Call Quality

    92/ 10090

    Tech Ecosystem

    90/ 10085

    Personal Circumstances

    Dublin

    84
    / 100

    Amsterdam

    83

    Citizenship Advantages

    65/ 10070

    Partner Citizenship Advantages

    70/ 10070

    Industry Presence

    85/ 10085

    Language Skills

    100/ 10095

    Religious/Cultural Fit

    90/ 10080

    Dietary Requirements

    88/ 10090

    Hobby Availability

    85/ 10090

    Pet Import Rules

    92/ 10085

    The Verdict: Dublin or Amsterdam?

    With an overall score of 79.32/100 versus 74.36/100, Dublin leads on paper. But the "better" city ultimately depends on what matters most to you.

    Dublin excels in economic factors, quality of life, housing & living spaces. Amsterdam leads in professional & career, family & children.

    Use our interactive comparison tool to drill deeper into specific metrics. No single ranking captures the complexity of choosing a new home. But data-driven analysis gives you the best starting point.

    Dive Deeper with Our Interactive Tool

    See the full data breakdown with live filtering and side-by-side analysis.

    Compare Dublin vs Amsterdam Live