Portlaoise vs Sliema
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Portlaoise is approximately 42% less expensive than Sliema based on cost of living including rent. This makes Portlaoise a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Portlaoise has a FIRE Score of 75/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 75, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Portlaoise is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
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Best in rowIreland
Portlaoise
Malta
Sliema
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Portlaoise
Portlaoise is a small town that punches above its weight for commuters, sitting just 6 km from Dublin Airport with a $45/mo transit pass and a solid 75/100 expat score. Rents are the catch: $1,234/mo for a one-bedroom city center flat against an average net salary of $2,837/mo leaves little slack, though moving outside the center drops that to $981/mo. The 75/100 safety score and 25/100 crime index make it genuinely comfortable, and Kilminchy and Maryborough Village give newcomers a soft landing. Skip it if you want big-city energy; take it if you want a quiet, well-connected base with good healthcare and English everywhere.
About Ireland
A city center 1BR at $1,776.90 a month rivals rents in Boston or DC, with no digital nomad visa available. Retirees need USD 4,350/mo proof of income, a real barrier at 20-40% progressive tax plus PRSI and USC. English fluency and a clear citizenship path help, but the math only works if your retirement income clears that bar comfortably.
Portlaoise costs roughly 95% less than Sliema. Sliema leads on digital nomad infrastructure, with faster average internet speeds. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Portlaoise is approximately 42% less expensive than Sliema based on cost of living including rent. This makes Portlaoise a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Portlaoise has a FIRE Score of 75/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 75, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Portlaoise is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Portlaoise
Portlaoise is a small town that punches above its weight for commuters, sitting just 6 km from Dublin Airport with a $45/mo transit pass and a solid 75/100 expat score. Rents are the catch: $1,234/mo for a one-bedroom city center flat against an average net salary of $2,837/mo leaves little slack, though moving outside the center drops that to $981/mo. The 75/100 safety score and 25/100 crime index make it genuinely comfortable, and Kilminchy and Maryborough Village give newcomers a soft landing. Skip it if you want big-city energy; take it if you want a quiet, well-connected base with good healthcare and English everywhere.
About Ireland
A city center 1BR at $1,776.90 a month rivals rents in Boston or DC, with no digital nomad visa available. Retirees need USD 4,350/mo proof of income, a real barrier at 20-40% progressive tax plus PRSI and USC. English fluency and a clear citizenship path help, but the math only works if your retirement income clears that bar comfortably.
$1,046/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Sliema
Sliema is a solid pick if you want Mediterranean living without a language barrier, and the numbers back it up: a cost of living index of 62 against NYC, English widely spoken, and an expat score of 84. The catch is rent, where a one bedroom in the center runs $1,751/mo while the average local net salary sits at $1,820/mo, so remote workers and retirees on outside income will fare far better than anyone hunting for a local job. Budget roughly $2,001/mo for a mid-range single life, and accept that this compact 23 thousand person town trades space and quiet for walkability and a large, active expat crowd.
About Malta
Best for digital nomads: Malta offers a Nomad Residence Permit with a clear USD 3,997/mo income requirement, making it accessible for remote workers. Safety is high (US Travel Advisory Level 1) and English proficiency is high, easing daily life. However, the progressive income tax (0% to 35%) can be a hidden cost for higher earners, and the Nomad Residence Permit can lead to permanent residency.
$942/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Portlaoise | Sliema |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1233.57 | $1751.27 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $981.25 | $1216.78 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $2317.61 | $2918.78 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $2130.71 | $2382.55 |
| Safety Index | 75 | 67.47 |
| Internet Speed | 50Mbps | 75.2Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Portlaoise | Sliema |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $1,954/mo | $2,058/mo |
| Excluding rent | $973/mo | $841/mo |
| Rent | $981/mo | $1,217/mo |
| Groceries | $249/mo | $212/mo |
| Dining out | $224/mo | $196/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $136/mo | $128/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $319/mo | $171/mo |
| Transport | $45.00/mo | $134/mo |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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