Best cities to live in Ireland (2026)
2 cities ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Country at a Glance
Freedom House score
Press freedom rank
Migrant acceptance (2019)
Path to PR
Cork
72/100Dublin
67/100Compare cities in Ireland
❓ Living in Ireland — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in Ireland?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Cork ranks #1 in Ireland with a score of 72/100, and city-centre rent from around $2005/month.
What is the safest city in Ireland?▾
By UNODC homicide rate data, Cork is the safest city in Ireland in our database, with a rate of 0.7 per 100,000 people.
Should I move to Cork or Dublin?▾
Cork scores 72/100 on our Livability Score vs 67/100 for Dublin. Rent is $2005/mo in Cork vs $2522/mo in Dublin. See the full comparison at the bottom of this page.
How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in Ireland?▾
Ireland offers the Ireland Critical Skills Employment Permit (complex process). Duration: 2 years (then Stamp 4). Key requirement: Job offer in a shortage occupation paying ≥ €40,904/yr. Stamp 4 (permanent residence) after 21 months; citizenship after 5 years.. The process is complex. Check individual city pages for full details.
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