Swords vs Dundalk
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Swords leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Dundalk where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Dundalk's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Swords | Dundalk |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 59 | 60 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 2 | 2 |
| Climate | 98 | 97 |
| Safety | 83 | 85 |
| Summer °C | 15.7 | 15.5 |
| Winter °C | 4.9 | 4.5 |
| Top disaster risk | flooding | flooding |
Swords vs Dundalk: the short answer
Dundalk comes out ahead on overall livability (60/100), only marginally above Swords (59/100). The two cities diverge most on natural-disaster exposure. On affordability Dundalk is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Swords 2 vs Dundalk 2, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Swords runs warmer in summer (about 15.7°C peak vs 15.5°C in Dundalk), while winter lows sit near 4.9°C in Swords and 4.5°C in Dundalk. On natural-disaster exposure Dundalk is the safer choice (safety 85/100); the dominant modelled hazard is flooding for Swords and flooding for Dundalk.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Dundalk — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Swords — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Dundalk — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Dundalk — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Swords or Dundalk better to live in?
Dundalk scores higher overall — 60 vs 59 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Swords or Dundalk?
Dundalk has the lower cost of living (cost index 2 vs 2; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Swords or Dundalk?
Swords — summer highs reach about 15.7°C versus 15.5°C in Dundalk.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Swords or Dundalk?
Dundalk (disaster-safety 85/100). Main hazard: flooding in Swords, flooding in Dundalk.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Swords?
flooding is the dominant modelled hazard for Swords on our risk index.
How is the Swords vs Dundalk comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.