Compare countries · Ireland vs Spain
Ireland vs Spain
Across 13 comparable indicators: Ireland leads on 6, Spain on 6, 1 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Ireland cheaper than Spain?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Ireland at 70.6 and Spain at 51.6. Spain is about 27% cheaper overall.
Is Ireland or Spain safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Ireland scores 1.37 and Spain scores 1.65. Ireland ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Ireland or Spain?
On the UN Human Development Index, Ireland scores 0.949 and Spain scores 0.918. Ireland scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Ireland compared to Spain?
GNI per capita runs $87,360 in Ireland against $37,120 in Spain; people live 83.0 years on average against 83.9; Numbeo users rate healthcare 51 against 77. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Ireland
70.6
Worse than 91% of countries
Spain
51.6
Worse than 70% of countries
Spain: 27% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Ireland
43.8
Worse than 96% of countries
Spain
23.2
Worse than 78% of countries
Spain: 47% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Ireland
1.37
Better than 98% of countries
Spain
1.65
Better than 84% of countries
Ireland: more peaceful (1.37 vs 1.65).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Ireland
51.0
Worse than 62% of countries
Spain
62.4
Better than 67% of countries
Spain: higher perceived safety (62.4 vs 51.0).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Ireland
0.949
Better than 95% of countries
Spain
0.918
Better than 86% of countries
Ireland: higher human development (0.949 vs 0.918).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Ireland
$155,089
Better than 98% of countries
Spain
$59,868
Better than 83% of countries
Ireland: 159% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Ireland
83.0 yrs
Better than 89% of countries
Spain
83.9 yrs
Better than 94% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Ireland
51.2
Worse than 89% of countries
Spain
77.2
Better than 90% of countries
Spain: better-rated healthcare (77.2 vs 51.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Ireland
208 Mbps
Better than 80% of countries
Spain
277 Mbps
Better than 92% of countries
Spain: 33% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Ireland
86/100
Better than 96% of countries
Spain
75/100
Better than 83% of countries
Ireland: freer press (86 vs 75 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Ireland
6.93
Better than 91% of countries
Spain
6.54
Better than 72% of countries
Ireland: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.93 vs 6.54).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Ireland
700
Better than 94% of countries
Spain
540
Better than 65% of countries
Ireland: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 540).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Ireland
89.5
Better than 72% of countries
Spain
92.8
Better than 83% of countries
Spain: more pleasant climate rating (92.8 vs 89.5).
Deciding between Ireland and Spain for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Ireland profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Spain profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.