Compare countries · Ireland vs United Kingdom
Ireland vs United Kingdom
Ireland(Europe)·
United Kingdom(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Ireland leads on 5, United Kingdom on 3, 5 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 United Kingdom?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Ireland at 70.6 and United Kingdom at 67.8. United Kingdom is about 4% cheaper overall.
Is Ireland or United Kingdom safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Ireland scores 1.37 and United Kingdom scores 1.73. Ireland ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Ireland or United Kingdom?
On the UN Human Development Index, Ireland scores 0.949 and United Kingdom scores 0.946. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Ireland compared to United Kingdom?
GNI per capita runs $87,360 in Ireland against $54,550 in United Kingdom; people live 83.0 years on average against 81.4; Numbeo users rate healthcare 51 against 73. 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
United Kingdom
67.8
Worse than 86% of countries
United Kingdom: 4% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Ireland
43.8
Worse than 96% of countries
United Kingdom
32.1
Worse than 90% of countries
United Kingdom: 27% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Ireland
1.37
Better than 98% of countries
United Kingdom
1.73
Better than 76% of countries
Ireland: more peaceful (1.37 vs 1.73).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Ireland
51.0
Worse than 62% of countries
United Kingdom
51.7
Worse than 59% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Ireland
0.949
Better than 95% of countries
United Kingdom
0.946
Better than 93% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Ireland
$155,089
Better than 98% of countries
United Kingdom
$64,606
Better than 86% of countries
Ireland: 140% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Ireland
83.0 yrs
Better than 89% of countries
United Kingdom
81.4 yrs
Better than 81% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Ireland
51.2
Worse than 89% of countries
United Kingdom
72.7
Better than 80% of countries
United Kingdom: better-rated healthcare (72.7 vs 51.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Ireland
208 Mbps
Better than 80% of countries
United Kingdom
167 Mbps
Better than 73% of countries
Ireland: 24% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Ireland
86/100
Better than 96% of countries
United Kingdom
80/100
Better than 90% of countries
Ireland: freer press (86 vs 80 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Ireland
6.93
Better than 91% of countries
United Kingdom
6.69
Better than 81% of countries
Ireland: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.93 vs 6.69).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Ireland
700
Better than 94% of countries
United Kingdom
700
Better than 94% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Ireland
89.5
Better than 72% of countries
United Kingdom
87.8
Better than 69% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Deciding between Ireland and United Kingdom 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 United Kingdom profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.