Cost of Living in Ireland: Complete 2025 Breakdown

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Ireland is expensive—let’s be honest about that from the start. But understanding exactly what things cost helps you plan realistically and avoid surprises when you arrive. This guide provides actual 2025 prices across all major expense categories, so you can budget properly for your move to Ireland.

Whether you’re relocating to Dublin, Cork, Galway, or a smaller town, you’ll find detailed breakdowns of housing costs, groceries, transport, healthcare, and everything in between. We’ve also included complete monthly budget examples for singles, couples, and families.

Quick cost comparison

Expense CategoryDublinCork/GalwaySmaller Towns
Rent (1-bed)€1,800-2,400€1,200-1,600€800-1,200
Groceries (monthly)€300-400€300-400€250-350
Utilities (monthly)€150-200€150-200€130-180
Transport (monthly)€135€100-150€100+
Restaurant meal€15-25€12-20€12-18
Pint of beer€6-7€5-6.50€4.50-5.50

Ireland’s costs are higher than most of Europe and many parts of the UK and US. However, with proper planning and an understanding of where your money goes, you can budget effectively and enjoy a good quality of life.

Housing costs

Housing is by far your biggest expense in Ireland, and it’s also where you’ll face the most competition—especially in Dublin.

Renting

Dublin:

  • One-bedroom apartment (city centre): €1,800-2,400
  • One-bedroom apartment (suburbs): €1,500-1,800
  • Two-bedroom apartment (city centre): €2,400-3,200
  • Two-bedroom apartment (suburbs): €2,000-2,400
  • Three-bedroom house: €2,800-3,500
  • Room in shared house: €800-1,200

Cork and Galway:

  • One-bedroom apartment (city centre): €1,200-1,600
  • One-bedroom apartment (suburbs): €1,000-1,300
  • Two-bedroom apartment: €1,500-2,000
  • Three-bedroom house: €2,000-2,500
  • Room in shared house: €600-900

Smaller cities and towns:

  • One-bedroom apartment: €800-1,200
  • Two-bedroom apartment: €1,000-1,400
  • Three-bedroom house: €1,400-1,800
  • Room in shared house: €500-700

The competition for rental properties is intense, particularly in Dublin and Cork. You’ll typically need to provide references, proof of employment, bank statements, and a deposit of one to two months’ rent.

If you’re looking for accommodation, check out our guide to renting in Ireland for detailed advice on navigating the rental market, understanding your rights, and finding properties.

Buying property

If you’re considering buying rather than renting:

Dublin:

  • Typical house price: €350,000-550,000
  • Apartment: €300,000-450,000
  • Deposits required: Typically 10-20%

Cork and Galway:

  • Typical house price: €250,000-400,000
  • Apartment: €200,000-350,000

Smaller cities and rural areas:

  • Houses: €150,000-300,000
  • Apartments: €120,000-250,000

Additional costs include:

  • Stamp duty: 1% on properties up to €1 million
  • Legal fees: €1,500-3,000
  • Surveyor: €400-800
  • Mortgage arrangement fees: €1,000-2,000

Utility costs

Electricity:

  • Monthly average: €80-120 (higher in winter)
  • Standing charge plus per-unit costs
  • Varies significantly with heating method and home size

Gas (if available):

  • Monthly average: €60-100
  • Many rural properties use oil heating instead
  • Oil tank fills: €500-800 per delivery

Broadband and internet:

  • Monthly cost: €40-60
  • Fibre available in most urban areas
  • Rural areas may have limited options

Water:

  • Currently free for domestic use
  • This may change in future

Bin collection:

  • Monthly cost: €20-40
  • Pay-by-weight or flat fee options
  • Recycling usually included

TV licence:

  • €160 per year (legally required if you own a TV)

For more details on setting up your utilities, see our guide on banking in Ireland which covers setting up direct debits for bills.

Food and groceries

Supermarket shopping

Weekly grocery costs for one person: €60-80 Weekly costs for a family of four: €150-200

Ireland’s main supermarket chains, from cheapest to most expensive:

  • Aldi and Lidl: Budget-friendly, quality own brands
  • Tesco: Mid-range prices, loyalty card savings
  • SuperValu: Slightly more expensive, good local produce
  • Dunnes Stores: Mid to higher prices
  • Marks & Spencer: Premium prices

Sample prices (2024):

  • Milk (1 litre): €1.20-1.40
  • Sliced bread: €1.50-2.50
  • Eggs (dozen): €3.00-4.50
  • Chicken breast (1kg): €8-10
  • Potatoes (2kg): €2-3
  • Apples (1kg): €2.50-3.50
  • Coffee (250g): €4-7
  • Breakfast cereal: €3-5
  • Pasta (500g): €1-2
  • Cheese (200g): €2.50-4

Alcohol from supermarkets:

  • Beer (6-pack): €8-12
  • Wine (bottle): €8-15
  • Spirits (700ml): €20-30

Eating out

Lunch:

  • Sandwich or roll: €6-8
  • Café lunch: €10-15
  • Quick lunch (Asian/Mediterranean): €12-15

Coffee and cafés:

  • Espresso: €2.50-3.00
  • Cappuccino/latte: €3.50-4.50
  • Tea: €2.50-3.00
  • Pastry or cake: €3-4.50

Dinner:

  • Casual restaurant (main course): €15-25
  • Mid-range restaurant (three courses): €35-50
  • Fine dining (three courses): €60-100
  • Fast food meal: €8-12
  • Takeaway pizza: €12-18
  • Chinese/Indian takeaway: €10-15

Pub prices:

  • Pint of beer: €6-7 (€5-6 in cheaper pubs)
  • Glass of wine: €7-9
  • Spirits and mixer: €8-10
  • Soft drink: €3-4
  • Pub food (main): €14-20

Eating out is significantly more expensive than cooking at home. A couple dining out twice a week can easily spend €200-300 per month.

Transportation

Public transport (Dublin)

Leap Card (monthly costs):

  • Unlimited bus: €135
  • Combined bus and rail: Higher depending on zones
  • Single bus journey: €2.25-3.50
  • Single DART journey: €2.25-4.60

Taxis:

  • Base fare: €3.80-4.20
  • Per kilometre: €1.50-2.00
  • Typical city centre journey: €15-30
  • Airport to city centre: €25-35

Owning a car

Purchase costs:

  • New car: €20,000-50,000+
  • Used car (3-5 years old): €10,000-25,000
  • Older used car: €2,000-8,000

Running costs:

  • Petrol: €1.70-1.90 per litre
  • Diesel: €1.65-1.85 per litre
  • Car insurance: €600-1,500/year (higher for newcomers without Irish driving history)
  • Road tax (motor tax): €200-800/year depending on emissions
  • NCT (safety test): €55 every two years (required for cars over 4 years old)
  • Car service: €150-300 annually
  • Parking (Dublin city centre): €3-4/hour, €25-30/day

Monthly car costs typically range from €300-600 depending on usage, including insurance, fuel, and maintenance. For information about driving in Ireland, see our driving guide.

Other transport

Bicycles:

  • New bike: €300-1,000
  • Dublin Bikes scheme: €35/year
  • Parking and insurance: Usually free

Regional buses (Bus Éireann):

  • Variable costs depending on distance
  • Generally affordable for intercity travel

Trains:

  • Dublin to Cork: €35-55 return
  • Dublin to Galway: €30-50 return
  • Books in advance for best prices

Healthcare costs

Ireland’s healthcare system is not free at the point of use like the UK’s NHS, which surprises many newcomers.

Public healthcare costs

GP (doctor) visits:

  • Standard consultation: €50-70
  • Out-of-hours: €80-120

Prescriptions:

  • €1.50-2.00 per item for medical card holders
  • Full cost for others (varies widely by medication)
  • Drug Payment Scheme: Maximum €80/month for families

Hospital:

  • Emergency department: €100 (unless admitted or have medical card)
  • Public hospital inpatient: €80 per day (maximum €800/year)
  • Outpatient appointment: €100

Dental care:

  • Check-up and cleaning: €60-80
  • Fillings: €100-150
  • Root canal: €500-800
  • Dental care is not covered by public healthcare

Private health insurance

Most people in Ireland have private health insurance. Monthly costs:

  • Single adult (basic plan): €80-150
  • Single adult (comprehensive): €150-300
  • Family plan: €250-500+

Insurance covers:

  • Private hospital rooms
  • Faster access to specialists
  • Choice of consultant
  • Some outpatient treatments

For detailed information about healthcare options, see our healthcare in Ireland guide.

Childcare and education

Childcare

Full-time creche (under 3 years):

  • Dublin: €1,000-1,300/month
  • Other cities: €800-1,100/month
  • Smaller towns: €700-950/month

ECCE Scheme:

  • Free pre-school for 3-5 year olds
  • Covers 3 hours per day, 38 weeks per year
  • Significantly reduces costs during these years

After-school care:

  • €150-300/month depending on hours and location

Education

Primary and secondary schools:

  • Public schools are free (though “voluntary contributions” of €100-300/year are expected)
  • School uniforms: €150-300 per child
  • Books and supplies: €100-200/year
  • Private schools: €5,000-8,000/year

University (for EU students):

  • Undergraduate fees: €3,000/year
  • Masters programmes: €4,000-15,000
  • Living costs: €12,000-15,000/year

Lifestyle and entertainment

Gym and fitness

  • Budget gym: €30-40/month
  • Mid-range gym: €50-70/month
  • Premium gym: €80-100+/month
  • Swimming pool entry: €6-8
  • Yoga/fitness class: €12-18

Entertainment

  • Cinema ticket: €10-12
  • Theatre ticket: €20-50
  • Concert ticket: €30-80
  • Sports event (GAA): €15-30
  • Sports event (rugby/football): €30-80
  • Streaming services: €8-15/month each
  • Book: €15-25

Other costs

  • Haircut (women): €40-80
  • Haircut (men): €20-35
  • Mobile phone plan: €15-30/month
  • Home insurance: €300-500/year
  • Life insurance: €30-80/month

Complete monthly budgets

Single person in Dublin

Essentials:

  • Rent (room in shared house): €900
  • Groceries: €250
  • Transport (Leap Card): €135
  • Mobile phone: €20
  • Utilities (share): €50
  • Health insurance: €100
  • Total essentials: €1,455

Additional:

  • Eating out/socialising: €200
  • Gym: €50
  • Entertainment: €80
  • Clothing: €50
  • Personal care: €40
  • Miscellaneous: €100
  • Total: €520

Overall monthly budget: €1,975 Recommended salary: €35,000/year minimum

Single person in Cork or Galway

Essentials:

  • Rent (room in shared house): €700
  • Groceries: €250
  • Transport: €120
  • Mobile phone: €20
  • Utilities (share): €50
  • Health insurance: €100
  • Total essentials: €1,240

Additional:

  • Eating out/socialising: €180
  • Gym: €45
  • Entertainment: €70
  • Other: €200
  • Total: €495

Overall monthly budget: €1,735 Recommended salary: €30,000/year minimum

Couple in Dublin (no children)

Essentials:

  • Rent (1-bedroom): €2,000
  • Groceries: €400
  • Transport (2 Leap Cards): €270
  • Utilities: €180
  • Mobile phones: €40
  • Health insurance: €200
  • Total essentials: €3,090

Additional:

  • Eating out: €300
  • Entertainment: €200
  • Gym: €100
  • Personal care: €100
  • Clothing: €100
  • Savings/miscellaneous: €200
  • Total: €1,000

Overall monthly budget: €4,090 Recommended combined salary: €70,000/year minimum

Family of four in Dublin

Essentials:

  • Rent (3-bedroom): €2,800
  • Groceries: €800
  • Utilities: €250
  • Transport (car costs): €400
  • Mobile phones: €40
  • Health insurance: €300
  • Childcare (1 child in creche): €1,200
  • After-school care (1 child): €200
  • Total essentials: €5,990

Additional:

  • Eating out: €300
  • Kids’ activities: €200
  • Entertainment: €150
  • Clothing: €200
  • School costs: €100
  • Savings/miscellaneous: €300
  • Total: €1,250

Overall monthly budget: €7,240 Recommended combined salary: €110,000+/year

How Ireland compares internationally

More expensive than:

  • Most of continental Europe
  • Most UK cities (except London)
  • Most US states (except major coastal cities)

Similar to:

  • London, UK
  • Scandinavian countries
  • Switzerland (though Switzerland has higher salaries)
  • Major US coastal cities (New York, San Francisco, Boston)

Cheaper than:

  • Very few places—Iceland, parts of Switzerland, Monaco

Why is Ireland so expensive?

Several factors contribute:

  • High demand for housing with limited supply
  • Island economy (importing costs)
  • High wages (which drive up prices)
  • Strong economy (increasing demand)
  • Limited competition in some sectors

Money-saving tips

Housing

  • Consider living outside city centres and commuting
  • Look at emerging areas with good transport links
  • Share accommodation initially while you search for something better
  • Use rental websites effectively to spot new listings quickly

Food

  • Shop at Aldi and Lidl for significant savings
  • Buy own-brand products (quality is good)
  • Cook at home—eating out is very expensive
  • Use supermarket loyalty cards
  • Buy seasonal produce

Transport

  • Use a bicycle where possible
  • Get a Leap Card for public transport discounts
  • Walk—many Irish cities are compact
  • Consider car-sharing apps instead of owning

Entertainment

  • Take advantage of free activities (parks, beaches, hiking)
  • Look for early-bird restaurant deals
  • Drink at home before going to pubs
  • Use library services (free book borrowing, internet access)
  • Check for student or senior discounts where applicable

Utilities

  • Compare energy providers regularly
  • Use energy-efficient appliances
  • Install insulation to reduce heating costs
  • Consider switching providers for better deals

General

  • Buy second-hand when possible (DoneDeal, Adverts.ie)
  • Take advantage of sales periods (January, July)
  • Use price comparison websites
  • Negotiate where possible (insurance, broadband)

Understanding Irish salaries and taxes

To understand whether a salary is sufficient, you need to know what you’ll actually take home after tax.

Tax rates (2024)

  • 20% on income up to €42,000 (single person)
  • 40% on income above €42,000
  • Plus USC (Universal Social Charge): 0.5-8%
  • Plus PRSI (social insurance): 4%

Example take-home pay:

  • €30,000 gross = €25,800 net (€2,150/month)
  • €40,000 gross = €32,400 net (€2,700/month)
  • €50,000 gross = €38,000 net (€3,167/month)
  • €60,000 gross = €43,200 net (€3,600/month)
  • €80,000 gross = €54,400 net (€4,533/month)

These are approximate figures for single people without additional tax credits. Your actual take-home depends on your circumstances.

What’s a good salary?

Single person:

  • Comfortable in Dublin: €45,000+
  • Comfortable in Cork/Galway: €35,000+
  • Comfortable in smaller towns: €30,000+

Couple (combined):

  • Comfortable in Dublin: €75,000+
  • Comfortable elsewhere: €60,000+

Family with children:

  • Dublin: €100,000+ combined
  • Elsewhere: €75,000+ combined

These figures allow for comfortable living with some discretionary spending and savings. You can live on less, but you’ll need to budget carefully.

Frequently asked questions

Is Ireland more expensive than the UK?

Yes, overall. Rent is significantly higher in Dublin than most UK cities outside London. Food and dining out are more expensive. However, the gap has narrowed in recent years as UK costs have risen. The main difference is that healthcare costs more in Ireland since it’s not free at point of use like the NHS.

Is Ireland more expensive than the USA?

It depends on where you’re comparing. Ireland is more expensive than most US states for housing and everyday costs. However, compared to cities like New York, San Francisco, or Boston, the costs are similar. Healthcare in Ireland is cheaper than US private healthcare but more expensive than countries with fully public systems.

What’s the most expensive city in Ireland?

Dublin is by far the most expensive, particularly for housing. Cork and Galway are next, followed by other regional cities. Rural areas and smaller towns offer the best value, but with fewer job opportunities.

Can you live on minimum wage in Ireland?

Ireland’s minimum wage is €12.70/hour (2024). Living on this in Dublin is extremely difficult due to high housing costs. It’s more manageable in smaller towns, particularly if sharing accommodation. Most minimum wage workers share housing or live in lower-cost areas.

How much should I budget for setting up in Ireland?

Plan for first month’s rent (€800-2,400), deposit (one to two months’ rent), initial groceries (€200-300), transport (€100-200), basic household items (€300-500), and a buffer for unexpected costs. Budget at least €3,000-5,000 for Dublin, €2,000-3,000 for other cities. You’ll also need money to cover your first month before receiving your first salary.

Is food expensive in Ireland?

Food costs are moderate to high. Supermarket prices are similar to the UK but higher than most of continental Europe. Eating out is expensive—expect to pay €15-25 for a main course in a standard restaurant. However, budget supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl offer good value.

Are utilities expensive?

Yes, particularly electricity and heating. Ireland’s climate means you’ll use heating for much of the year, and electricity prices are among the highest in Europe. Budget €150-200/month for a typical apartment’s utilities. Oil heating can be particularly expensive in rural areas.

Do I need a car in Ireland?

In Dublin, no—public transport is adequate for most people. In Cork and Galway, it’s helpful but not essential. In smaller towns and rural areas, a car is usually necessary as public transport is limited. However, running a car costs €300-600/month on average.

How much does health insurance cost?

Basic plans start around €80-100/month for a single person. Comprehensive cover costs €150-300/month. Family plans range from €250-500/month. Many employers offer health insurance as a benefit. While not legally required, most people get insurance due to public healthcare waiting times.

Is childcare affordable in Ireland?

No—childcare is one of Ireland’s highest costs. Full-time creche care can cost €800-1,300/month per child. The free ECCE scheme for 3-5 year olds helps significantly during those years. Childcare costs are a major factor in household budgeting for families.

Planning your move

Understanding Ireland’s costs helps you make informed decisions about:

Where to live: Your budget might stretch further in Cork or Galway than Dublin, or in commuter towns rather than city centres.

What salary to accept: Use these figures to negotiate appropriately. A €40,000 salary in Dublin offers a very different lifestyle than the same salary in a smaller town.

How much to save: Having 3-6 months of expenses saved provides security while you settle in and establish yourself.

Housing priorities: Decide whether proximity to work, living space, or cost is most important. You’ll likely need to compromise.

For your next steps in planning your move, check out our guides on moving to Ireland from the USA, moving from the UK, or moving from the EU. You’ll also want to read about getting your PPS number, which you’ll need for working and accessing services.

The cost of living in Ireland is high, but understanding exactly where your money goes helps you budget realistically. With proper planning and smart choices about where you live and how you spend, you can enjoy a good quality of life in Ireland despite the costs.