Blackrock vs Dublin 6 (Ranelagh/Rathmines): which is better to live in? (2026)

Blackrock (A94) and Dublin 6 (Ranelagh/Rathmines) (D06) compared on price, safety, schools and quality of life.

The verdict
Dublin 6 (Ranelagh/Rathmines) is the cheaper of the two — a median €782,500 against Blackrock's €828,500 (6% lower). Blackrock has the stronger safety score (69/100 vs 56/100); on the other facets the two are closely matched.

Blackrock vs Dublin 6 (Ranelagh/Rathmines): common questions

Is Blackrock cheaper than Dublin 6 (Ranelagh/Rathmines)?
No. The median sale price in Blackrock was €828,500 over the last 12 months, against €782,500 in Dublin 6 (Ranelagh/Rathmines) (Property Price Register).
Is Blackrock or Dublin 6 (Ranelagh/Rathmines) safer?
Blackrock scores higher on safety — 69/100 vs 56/100, based on Garda-division crime rates per 1,000 residents.
Which is better for buy-to-let, Blackrock or Dublin 6 (Ranelagh/Rathmines)?
Dublin 6 (Ranelagh/Rathmines) has the stronger gross rental yield — 3.5% vs 3.3% — though net returns depend on price, condition and tenancy regulation.

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Methodology

Sale prices, premiums and days-to-sale are computed from the Property Price Register (rolling 12 months) matched to original listing prices. Safety scores derive from Garda-division crime rates per 1,000 residents; education and profile figures from CSO census small-area data. The Quality of Life composite averages six equally-weighted dimensions built from 40+ metrics across 13 public datasets. Figures refresh daily; both areas are scoped to their Eircode routing key (A94 and D06).