Cost of Living in Ireland

Updated:

NovoExpat

If you've ever considered moving to Ireland, one of the first questions that likely crossed your mind is, "What is the cost of living in Ireland?" After all, it's essential to have a clear picture of your potential expenses before making such a life-changing decision. At this page, we'll dive into the nitty-gritty of the cost of living in Ireland and whether the reported $2951 per month figure aligns with the average monthly salary of $2528.58.

Restaurants
Markets
Transportation
Childcare
Clothing
Rent Per Month
Buy Apartment
Salaries

Ireland

restaurant

Restaurants

Price

World Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

14.33 $

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

66.86 $

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

8.6 $

Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)

4.97 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

4.78 $

Cappuccino (regular)

3.22 $

Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)

1.78 $

Water (12 oz small bottle)

1.41 $

store

Markets

Price

World Range

Milk (regular), (1 gallon)

1.07 $

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)

1.56 $

Rice (white), (1 lb)

1.32 $

Eggs (regular) (12)

2.77 $

Local Cheese (1 lb)

7.25 $

Chicken Fillets (1 lb)

8.11 $

Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

9.5 $

Apples (1 lb)

2.23 $

Banana (1 lb)

1.62 $

Oranges (1 lb)

2.14 $

Tomato (1 lb)

2.49 $

Potato (1 lb)

1.52 $

Onion (1 lb)

1.07 $

Lettuce (1 head)

0.9 $

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

1.29 $

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

9.55 $

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

2.35 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

2.78 $

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

14.33 $

commute

Transportation

Price

World Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

2.29 $

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

95.51 $

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

3.82 $

Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)

1.29 $

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

22.92 $

Gasoline (1 gallon)

1.84 $

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

26742.08 $

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

27212.86 $

mark_as_unread

Utilities (Monthly)

Price

World Range

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment

161.96 $

1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)

0.32 $

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

48.75 $

kitesurfing

Sports And Leisure

Price

World Range

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

43.11 $

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

16.59 $

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

11.13 $

child_friendly

Childcare

Price

World Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

920.53 $

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

7509.46 $

checkroom

Clothing And Shoes

Price

World Range

1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

70.82 $

1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)

33.4 $

1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)

76.12 $

1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes

82.2 $

night_shelter

Rent Per Month

Price

World Range

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

1438.46 $

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

1193.98 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

2412.19 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

1908.49 $

home

Buy Apartment Price

Price

World Range

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre

4309.72 $

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre

2953.23 $

account_balance_wallet

Salaries And Financing

Price

World Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

2528.58 $

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

3.32 %

Cost of Living in Ireland Overview

Welcome! Here’s a guide to understanding the typical costs of living in Ireland, from dining out and groceries to housing and utilities. Use this overview to help plan your budget and make informed decisions about living expenses.

Dining Out

The cost of dining varies with the type of establishment. A meal at an affordable restaurant averages around 14.33 USD, while a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant generally costs 66.86 USD.

Groceries

Basic grocery prices are accessible for most essentials. For instance, a gallon of milk costs about 1.07 USD, a loaf of bread 1.56 USD, and a dozen eggs approximately 2.77 USD.

Transportation

Public transport is relatively affordable, with a single trip priced at about 2.29 USD and a monthly pass around 95.51 USD. If you plan to use public transit regularly, these passes offer great value.

Utilities

For an 85 m² apartment, monthly utility bills—including electricity, heating, water, and waste services—average around 161.96 USD.

Sports and Recreation

For those interested in fitness and leisure, a monthly gym membership averages around 43.11 USD, while an hour on a tennis court on weekends costs about 16.59 USD.

Childcare and Education

Families looking for private childcare services will find that a month at a local preschool or kindergarten costs around 920.53 USD. For international schooling options, annual tuition can reach approximately 7509.46 USD.

Clothing and Footwear

Clothing and shoe prices vary widely. A pair of Levi's 501 jeans, for example, costs about 70.82 USD, and mid-range Nike sneakers are priced around 76.12 USD.

Apartment Rentals

Rental prices depend on location, with a one-bedroom apartment in the city center averaging 1438.46 USD per month, while one outside the center costs around 1193.98 USD.

Real Estate for Purchase

If you're considering buying property, prices per square foot vary as well. In central areas, the price per square foot is roughly 4309.72 USD, while in the suburbs, it's closer to 2953.23 USD.

Average Salary and Mortgage Rates

The average monthly net salary here is about 2528.58 USD after taxes, and mortgage interest rates for a 20-year fixed-rate loan average around 3.32% annually.

Ireland

How Safe Is Ireland for Travel?

Warnings & Dangers in Ireland

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Ireland is overall, very safe and you will probably encounter no problems when traveling there. Still, do not let your guard down and be vigilant at all times.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Transportation is very safe and reliable in Ireland. Still, take precautionary measures when driving in rural areas, because road safety is low there, especially in Louth county, as this city has the highest level of road offenses.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Since Ireland is a popular tourist destination, it is expected that pickpockets operate in larger cities. Petty theft is the most common form of crime in Ireland, but following basic precaution rules, should take care of this issue.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

There are almost no threats of natural disasters in Ireland, apart from occasional flooding during spring.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

Although there are areas that should be avoided at night, especially around streets with pubs and bars, Ireland is relatively safe when it comes to mugging or kidnapping, though precaution is still advised. Be wary of overly friendly people willing to give you directions, since they may lead you into a secluded area and steal from you.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

Even though there haven't been any terrorist attacks in Ireland's recent history, there is a heightened threat for residents of north-western Europe, so extreme precaution is recommended.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

There is no risk of getting scammed in Ireland, but still be careful when receiving change, check it twice, negotiate everything in advance and be wary of people offering you unwanted help, directions, etc.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

Even though Ireland is pretty safe for women traveling solo, sexually motivated assaults are on the rise in Dublin and it is advised that unaccompanied women take extra precaution measures, especially after dark.

Useful Information & Tips

credit_card

Visas

Many countries do need a visa in order to enter Ireland. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your intended date of departure from Ireland. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need a visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.

currency_exchange

Currency

The official currency in Ireland is the euro. Ireland is pretty expensive as the rest of north-western Europe, so plan on spending around 150 euro per day, including accommodation.

cloudy_snowing

Weather

Ireland has a temperate maritime climate, thanks to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the presence of the Gulf Stream; otherwise, it would have the same extreme temperatures as other countries at that latitude. Ireland receives a lot of precipitation yearly, which makes it so popularly green all over. Winter in Ireland is characterized by clouds and rain with the occasional sunny spell.

flight_takeoff

Airports

Dublin Airport is an international airport serving Dublin and the busiest and biggest airport in Ireland. It is located 10 km north of Dublin in Collinstown, Fingal.

health_and_safety

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Ireland, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

Comparison of the Cost Of Living in Ireland with other countries

Cost of living in countries