How Much Is Rent in Ireland: Average Numbers
Before you move to Ireland, being informed about the rent prices is crucial. According to reports by Irish government institutions such as the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and the Residential Tenancies Board, rent continues to increase in Ireland. There are much fewer available homes for rent than just a few years before. The demand is greater than the supply.
Recent data shows that the average rent in Ireland is up to over €1,567 monthly in the first quarter of 2022. This average monthly rental price is about an 11.7% increase from the previous year’s average rent of about €1,400 for new tenancies. Dublin has seen the highest rise in rent as the average rose to €2,300.
While rent prices are increasing nationally, some places in Ireland still offer affordable rent prices. Here are some of the rent prices across different cities in the country, the average salary you’d need to afford, and the cost of living.
If you are moving to Ireland for a job, read our guide on current salaries to ensure it’s enough to cover your rent.
What is the average monthly rent in Ireland in 2022?
The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is €1,493 in the Irish city center and €1,241 in the suburbs. Three-bedroom apartment in the city center costs €2,412, while it’s €1,903 outside the center. However, a three-bedroom with two bathrooms in Dublin quickly rents at €3,800.
When considering rent prices, don’t forget about utility prices which are €172 for an 85 m2 apartment.
According to the latest Daft.ie Rental Price Report for Q1 2022, rent prices in Ireland have increased by 11.7% in one year, where the national average rent is €1,567 per month.
In some parts of the country, rises were over the roof; for example, Leitrim country rent cost now 25% more. The reason for this jump in prices is pretty simple – high demand, low supply. In fact, the number of available rentals is only 851 across the country. While in 2022, there were almost 1,750 homes available only in Dublin.
Here is an overview of rent prices in some Irish cities for different apartment types:
| City | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | 4 bed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | €1,615 | €1,941 | €2,391 | €2,903 |
| Cork City | €1,112 | €1,297 | €1,513 | €1,860 |
| Galway City | €1,057 | €1,233 | €1,437 | €1,768 |
| Limerick City | €988 | €1,153 | €1,344 | €1,654 |
| Waterford City | €854 | €997 | €1,162 | €1,429 |
In over 14 Irish cities, the average rent of new tenancies is above €1,000 a month. Cities such as Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Louth, Meath, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, and Wicklow are among the cities with the most tenancies, and the rent costs are significantly lower than rent in Dublin.
Leitrim maintained its position in the country where rent is affordable. A one-bedroom apartment in Leitrim averaged €817, the lowest in the first quarter of 2022.
According to the Daft report of Q1 2022, here is the average rent for solo apartments posting new tenancies in different cities.
| City | Monthly average rent |
|---|---|
| Dublin | €2,015 |
| Kildare | €1,525 |
| Wicklow | €1,676 |
| Meath | €1,551 |
| Galway | €1,585 |
| Cork | €1,607 |
| Louth | €1,420 |
| Limerick | €1,485 |
| Carlow | €1,186 |
| Laois | €1,169 |
| Kilkenny | €1,188 |
| Westmeath | €1,222 |
| Waterford | €1,262 |
| Wexford | €1,075 |
| Clare | €945 |
| Kerry | €930 |
| Offaly | €925 |
| Cavan | €970 |
| Mayo | €955 |
| Sligo | €1,004 |
| Tipperary | €1,045 |
| Longford | €925 |
| Roscommon | €952 |
| Monaghan | €810 |
| Donegal | €857 |
| Leitrim | €817 |
On the map below, you can see the discrepancy in rent prices across the country in Q1 2022.
Dublin has been the most expensive place to rent and buy houses in Ireland for many years. This year, the average rent in Dublin is €2,015 monthly, which is €45 more than its 2021 average rent price of €1,972.
Since the capital has a population of at least a million people, many financial centers and companies have offices here. As a result, people are flocking to the capital, despite the scarce residential area.
Most people working in the capital prefer to rent and live there to be close to their workplaces, instead of living outside the capital and spending hours traveling to get to work.
Aside from Dublin and Kildare, other cities in Ireland have increased their rent prices too. Cities outside the capital experienced a 9.5% increase in rent prices compared to 2021.
Rental prices outside Dublin are significantly lower, with most rental prices being almost 50% cheaper than that in the capital, despite landlords increasing rental fees on their properties.
For example, Kildare, a city with a population of over 246,977, has the second most expensive average rent, with an average monthly price reaching €1,525.
Thanks to its small population, tenants can find cheaper solo apartments in the city of Kildare. Its location is another reason for more affordable average monthly rental prices since it is almost 60 km from the capital.
Cities far from Dublin, such as Wicklow, Meath, Galway, Cork, Louth, Limerick, Carlow, Laois, Kilkenny, Westmeath, Waterford, and Wexford, have rental prices of at least €1,000.
The reason why rent prices in areas like this are lower is that each of these cities has a population below 200,000, are at least 10km away from the capital, and has plenty of residential areas left.
Additionally, cities that are in coastal areas or mountainous regions have rental prices that are lower than €1,000. Clare, Kerry, Offaly, Cavan, Mayo, Sligo, Tipperary, Longford, Roscommon, Monaghan, Donegal, and Leitrim have rental prices ranging from €817 to €945.
Aside from these cities, tenants from rental properties in counties have also been paying higher rent. Due to the increased number of immigrants and people moving away from populated cities, counties like Fingal County have increased rental prices.
In the first quarter of 2022, the average monthly costs for rental properties in different counties are here (one-bedroom apartments):
| County | Monthly average rent |
|---|---|
| Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council | €2,183 |
| Dublin City Council | €1,987 |
| Fingal County Council | €1,940 |
| South Dublin County Council | €1,938 |
In 2022, the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council passed the Dublin City Council in rent prices, achieving an average monthly rent of €2,183. This council covers 36 towns and villages, with over 25,000 immigrants and a population of about 218,000 people.
The other councils have an average monthly rent of at least €1,920, which are higher than most of the monthly rents of solo apartments in several cities.
Short-term lease
Short-term rentals in Ireland are a common feature; however, these leases are expensive, and they end up equalling what you could have paid for a long lease option. For instance, weekly leases are common in cities like Dublin and other major cities.
On average, a short-term lease in Dublin can cost you between €2,000 to €3,000; in other towns, the average rent price of a short-term lease is €1,100. You can see some of the rental options in Dublin on this website.
Irish rent prices are some of the highest in Europe. That can be a solid reason why you should not move to this country.
Property types in Ireland
There are different types of houses in Ireland, and their prices vary. The most common types include:
- Flats: These are the most affordable and smaller. Some share the common facilities such as laundry and living section as most of these are converted from older houses. Under the flats, the utilities could attract a fixed amount payable with the rent, or optionally, you pay separately as a tenant.
- Apartments: These are more spacious and more expensive than flats. Utilities are separated from the rent except for shared services such as waste collection.
- Houses: Most houses are either three or four bedrooms. They are semi-detached, meaning they could share a common wall between them. Houses are spacious and the most expensive in the country. In the urban centers, most houses are terraced or rowhouses.
The type of housing you choose will affect how much you pay on average as rent. All these types of homes can either be furnished or unfurnished. A furnished apartment will cost you more in rent than the unfurnished one.
When exiting a furnished apartment, you could attract a damages cost if the furnishing quality has deteriorated during the duration you were a tenant.
In Ireland, most of the utilities are not included in the rent, and as such, you need to enquire as you sign the contract on those included and otherwise.
On average, an apartment measuring 950 square-foot will have utilities ranging between €150-€250. The utilities considered include water, electricity, and heating.
If you need home internet, the average price in most urban centers is between €50 and €60.
Prices for renting a room in Ireland
Rent prices for rooms have also been on the rise, with an average monthly rate of €703 in Dublin City Centre.
Here are the average prices in parts of Dublin:
| Part of Dublin | Monthly average rent |
|---|---|
| North County | €608 |
| North City | €616 |
| South City | €627 |
| South County | €649 |
| West County | €565 |
Read a full report about rent prices in Ireland.
Rent prices in Dublin
Dublin is the most expensive city to rent in Ireland, with average monthly rent prices reaching up to €2,015 for a solo apartment. A three-bedroom apartment will cost you €3,700 in average rent price.
Dublin had an upward shift in rent prices in the first quarter of 2022, a trend that continued in the second quarter.
Here are the prices in different parts of Dublin in Q1 2022:
| Part of Dublin | Monthly average rent |
|---|---|
| North County | €1,941 |
| North City | €2,049 |
| City Centre | €2,042 |
| South City | €2,192 |
| South County | €2,314 |
| West County | €1,994 |
Rent in the capital is about double the average rent of properties in 10 cities. In the greater Dublin area, rent could go higher than €2,042 since this area is where most offices and health facilities are.
In the first quarter of 2022, properties available for new tenancies in the greater Dublin area have an average rental price of €2,260, which makes it hard for a minimum wage earner to afford a single-bedroom apartment.
The Greater Dublin Area, including Fingal, South-Dublin, Rathdown, Dun Laoghaire, Wicklow, Kildare, and Meath, had an average rent rise of 9.2% in Q1 of 2022.
But, many people choose to rent in the greater Dublin area because this is where their workplaces are.
What is a good salary in Dublin?
Outside the greater Dublin area, average monthly rental prices reach €1,975. However, most tenants don’t feel a significant difference because they’ll still have to pay transport fees from their apartments in the outer Dublin area to get to their workplaces in the greater Dublin area.
If you are choosing a place where to live in Ireland, read this article.
Cheapest places for rent in Ireland
Outside Dublin, the average monthly rental prices are significantly lower, with most cities having a rental fee below €1,000. According to Businessplus, here are the cheapest places for rent in the country:
| Place | Average monthly rent |
|---|---|
| Leitrim | €739.70 |
| Donegal | €762.14 |
| Cavan | €778.07 |
| Monaghan | €805.08 |
| Mayo | €820.31 |
| Longford | €835.44 |
| Tipperary | €841.06 |
| Roscommon | €864.68 |
| Offaly | €897.42 |
| Wexford | €977.11 |
Leitrim
From dramatic mountains and deep valleys to the tranquil surroundings of several lakes, Leitrim is well known for its spectacular scenery. In addition to its idyllic nature, Leitrim is well connected to major towns like Sligo and Carrick-on-Shannon, Bundoran, and Longford, which are only an hour away by car.
Moreover, Leitrim is a county with the cheapest average monthly rent in Ireland. This county has a population of about 33,000, boasting scenic mountains and valleys. This county is perfect for you if you’re fond of provincial life.
Second to Leitrim is Donegal, a coastal county. These two are perfect for people looking for a quaint and peaceful residence but don’t expect to find many blue-collar jobs in these regions.
Donegal
Aside from having the second cheapest rental rates in the country, Donegal is also well known for its wild and rugged beauty, as well as Bundoran, the surfing capital of Ireland. A coastal route along the Wild Atlantic Way and the Slieve League Cliffs are also worth visiting once you’re already living here.
Cavan
In ‘The Best Place to Live in Ireland 2021’, Cavan received 10 nominations, but Glaslough in Monaghan received almost 13 times as many nominations as Cavan. The county of Dublin leads the field, but its votes are spread across three cities.
Cavan is famous for its many lakes and the Shannon Pot, where the River Shannon originates, which is located in West Cavan. There are several towns in the county, including the county seat of Cavan itself, Virginia, Ballyjamesduff, Bailieborough, Cootehill, Kingscourt, and Belturbet.
Monaghan
Known by its Irish name Carrickmacross Lace, County Monaghan is famous for its ancient craft of lace-making. It is possible to view some fine examples of the craft in the museum in Carrickmacross. Moreover, mountain, lake, and forest landscapes abound in Monaghan.
Monaghan has two entries in the Irish Times’ top 20 list of best places to live. A total of 470 locations were nominated for “Best Place to Live in Ireland 2021” by more than 2,400 people.
Mayo
A beautiful part of Ireland, Mayo is well known for its picturesque scenery. The county also has bogs and heather, as well as some of the most beautiful islands in Clew Bay. Further, Mayo’s west coast is home to Achill, Ireland’s largest island.
Often, the west of Ireland offers the best scenic attractions, and Mayo is no exception. Mayo has often been overshadowed by its neighbour Galway, but it has a compelling claim to be the best county in the west and even the best in Ireland.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Ireland?
In 2022, the national minimum wage in Ireland is €10.50 hourly, and the average monthly net salary is €2,600, which is enough for a single person to get by. To live comfortably in Ireland as a single person, you’ll need to earn between €3,000 and €4,000.
Where you settle in Ireland will also affect your lifestyle and what you can afford. A single person earning €3,000 in Dublin will strive to get by, while the same amount in Waterford or Leitrim will afford a comfortable lifestyle.
For populated cities such as Dublin, you’ll have to earn a higher salary due to the more expensive cost of living.
To live comfortably in a solo apartment in Ireland, we recommend about €49,200 annual salary. With this salary, you’d afford rent, groceries, utilities, and even afford to hire a household helper for up to 2 days per week in cities such as Dublin and Cork.
A family of four requires €6,000 monthly to cater for rent and other expenses, while a single person can do it with €2,500. A large chunk of this amount goes to rent as housing is expensive in Ireland.
Assuming the family lives in Dublin city where a three-bedroom averages €3,300. If the salary is €6,000, that will leave them with €2,700 to live on.
Here’s how the $6,000 would afford the family of four living in Dublin a decent life:
- Rent: $3,300
- Groceries: $1,000
- Transport: $400
- Utilities: $200
- Insurance: $400
- Entertainment: $400
- Savings: $300
Learn more about salaries in Ireland in our guide.
That said, in 2021, Ireland was ranked 13th most expensive country to live in out of the 138 where the analysis was done.
The reasons attributed to the high cost of living include:
- Inflation
- Low supply of housing compared to the high demand
- High privatization of major services such as healthcare
- Minimal natural resources
- High production costs
All these aspects make Ireland an expensive country to live in.
If you want to rent in cities such as Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Louth, and Limerick with lower rent than Dublin and Cork, you’d need an annual salary of about €36,000. According to Irishmirror, these cities have rents that cost about €1,100 to €1,600.
If you combine rent with bills, groceries, and other essential expenses, you’ll spend about €2,555 monthly on cities outside Dublin.
Families and couples need to earn more than €50,000 to live comfortably in Ireland because apartments with more bedrooms cost more. For example, rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Dublin costs €1,941 monthly, which is already more expensive than the monthly expense for someone living alone.
But, if you’ve more than two adults earning about €2 higher than the minimum hourly wage, your family could have enough budget for essential expenses, a yearly vacation, and private insurance payments.
