Cost of living in Ireland in 2025

Expats have to do a lot of math. To help you, we collected information about the cost of living in Ireland. Read on to learn about rent, including utilities, salaries, food costs in Ireland, and much more.

What is the cost of living in Ireland?

When answering the question of what the cost of living is in Ireland, there are many nuances to consider. Starting with one’s eating habits and ending with hobbies—your preferences significantly impact how much money you’ll need in Ireland. However, some resources calculate the average prices. Let’s explore them.

According to Numbeo, the average cost of living in Ireland for a single person without rent is 1,008.2 EUR per month.

Then, what is the cost of living in Ireland for several people? A family of four will spend around 3,541.2 EUR each month, again, excluding rent.

Let’s break down this total into categories and see where you can cut the expenses.

After moving to Ireland, support your loved ones back home with fast and secure Profee transfers.

The cost of living in Ireland: Rent

All these complaints about rent prices didn’t appear out of nowhere. Even if you find a place with the cheapest rent in Ireland, you’ll likely spend a considerable percentage of your income on that. The approximate numbers are as follows:

The country has a housing crisis, so finding the cheapest rent in Ireland may be complicated.

If we count rent, including utilities, the price will be even higher. For electricity, water, heating, etc., you’ll pay around 212.53 EUR per month for an 85m2 apartment. The internet costs 46.22 EUR, while mobile plans cost up to 35 EUR.

So, the total cost of rent, including utilities, will be around 1,600-1,900 EUR per month.

Of course, the cost of living in Ireland for a single person will be higher because you take all the financial burden on yourself. So, if you want to cut expenses, try finding a flatmate. Join Facebook groups and expat chats, search on Google, ask people you know, and find a perfect neighbour.

Explore: PAYE in Ireland for expats, a complete guide.

The cost of living in Ireland: Food

Food costs in Ireland vary depending on the product and location. Lidl is considered as one the the cheapest supermarkets, so if you want to save money, take it into account.

The average food costs in Ireland

The average food cost in Ireland is pretty high, but we prepared some tips for you to spend less:

• Buy big packages. If you use a non-perishable product regularly, purchase huge packages, as they will cost you less in the long term.
• Download supermarkets’ apps. For example, Lidl has its own app, where you can get discounts and be updated on sales and attractive offerings.
• Take advantage of late discounts. Products like bread and ready meals usually cost less in the evenings as the expiration day approaches.
• Avoid shopping when hungry. Imagine not eating all day and then going to a local store. Of course, your shopping cart will be full of impulsive purchases. Try creating a shopping list and following it strictly—no overspending!

“What is the cost of living in Ireland if I often eat out?” It’ll be much higher than cooking at home. You’ll pay around 18 EUR for a meal in an inexpensive restaurant. If you love working from coffee shops, be ready to spend 3.74 EUR on a cup of Cappuccino, on average.

You should know: Bank holidays in Ireland 2025.

The cost of living in Ireland: Transport

Public transportation is a convenient way to get around your city. The average cost of public transport in Ireland is as follows:

The average cost of public transport in Ireland:

Tips

• Buy a Leap Card. Check if you’re eligible for discounted tickets for students, children and the elderly.
• The price of tickets and monthly passes will differ depending on the Zones coverage. Check which zones you live and work in and buy tickets accordingly.

If you need more flexibility, a taxi and your own car are great options.

Comfort comes at a price, but buying a car is a good investment for families who plan to stay in Ireland.

For a more eco-frienly approach, you can buy or rent a bicycle. You can even get a tax relief if you cycle to work—it covers new bikes and equipment. Roads are convenient, the only problem is the weather, so consider cycling during spring/summer.

The cost of living in Ireland: Income

What is the living wage in Ireland? As for 2025, it’s 14.75 EUR per hour. Interestingly, it has dropped 0.5 EUR since last year, for the first time in ten years. It means that people now need slightly less money to afford the necessary goods.

The average income in Ireland is 2,948.10 EUR after tax. It’s enough to cover daily expenses and rent if you don’t overspend. The average income in Ireland depends a lot on your qualifications and field. The top paying jobs are in:

• IT;
• Healthcare;
• Engineering;
• Law industry;
• Finances.

Remember it, if you’re choosing your future path as a student. Learn how to find a job in Ireland in our article.

The government is trying to support its citizens. As one of the initiatives, Budget 2025 was introduced. Budget 2025 in Ireland brings tax cuts, welfare increases, and other cost-of-living relief. It provides once-off payments, bonuses, and benefits for families, employees, and other groups of citizens. You can read more about it on the official website here.

How to save money on remittances

Rent, higher product prices, document translation and public transportation passes are already enough of a struggle for expats. On top of that, there are fees and poor exchange rates for transfers back home. This is not fair. To support expats and their wallets, Profee offers beneficial transfers from Ireland to over 90 destinations:

• Low fees;
• Unbeatable exchange rates;
• Special offer for your 1st transfers;
• Flexibility and convenience—all you need is your phone and Internet access.

Support your loved ones with Profee and enjoy your stay in Ireland.

Best places to live in Ireland

The cost of living in Ireland will also be affected by your location. The best places to live in Ireland for expats include:

Dublin

It’s the capital city of Ireland and a leading digital hub in the country. Expats will love the work-life balance there, as you can improve your skills to become a top talent and enjoy Guinness with colleagues on Friday night. However, it’s one of the most expensive cities in Europe in terms of rent and housing.

Wicklow

It’s the perfect destination for nature lovers. You can escape from city life in endless mountains, lakes and forests. Wicklow is a popular fishing destination and has a lot of hiking routes.

Plus, Wicklow attracts investors, so it’s a developing area with nice prospects.

Cork

It’s the second-largest city in the country. It has the title of European Capital of Culture, so art and music enthusiasts will enjoy staying in the city. The quality of life in Cork is great, while the prices are lower than in Dublin.

These three cities are some of the best places to live in Ireland for expats because of their welcoming culture and opportunities to work and spend time with loved ones happily.

Conclusion

In this article, we answered the question, “ What is the cost of living in Ireland?” and covered the average income in Ireland. Overall, your salary will be enough to buy all the necessary goods, but you should be wise with your funds. Avoid impulsive buying, find other expats to share the price with, and send money back home with Profee.