DUBLINERS PAY an average of 4.4 per cent more for their goods and services than consumers in the rest of the State, according to the latest price comparison by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
While the gap has narrowed somewhat since the last survey, which showed a gap of almost 4.5 per cent in November 2008, there are still hefty differences between the prices of some goods and services.
Dublin gents have to pay almost 48 per cent more for a wash, cut and blow-dry than their provincial counterparts, for example, and almost 20 per cent more for a dry cut. Women, meanwhile, must fork out 23 per cent more for a wash, cut and blow dry in Dublin.
Following your visit to the hairdressers with a slap-up Irish breakfast could prove a costly experience in the capital, with best back rashers costing 24 per cent more in Dublin compared to the rest of the State.
However, alcohol is the category showing the largest margins across most products; a pint of draught lager is 12 per cent dearer in Dublin, draught cider costs almost 11 per cent more and a small bottle of wine is 5.1 per cent dearer.
The difference arises because of the higher price of drink in Dublin pubs and hotels which charge, on average, 8.3 per cent more than licensed premises outside the city. In contrast, average prices for take-home drink are broadly the same.
Going to the cinema costs 11.4 per cent more in Dublin than in other cities or towns, the CSO figures also show.
Of the 79 items included in the analysis, average prices were higher in Dublin for 51 items, and lower for 27.
Prices for meat, and fruit and vegetables, are generally higher in Dublin. Eight out of the 10 fruit and vegetable items were more expensive in Dublin, but fish, tobacco and many food and soft drink prices were generally comparable.
Petrol was 2.1 per cent dearer in Dublin, which offered best value for fillets of plaice (14.4 per cent less), self-raising flour (11.7 per cent cheaper) and white bread (8.8 per cent less).