MigrantoCost of living in Ireland
Average monthly spending, by standard of living, by category, and against other countries
Monthly cost
€2,260
what a typical person spends
Spending by standard of living
€1,190richest 20%
€4,970
Ireland is an odd mix — wages have climbed on the back of the big foreign firms that set up here, but the cost of living has climbed with them, and one thing towers over the rest. A shortage of homes means finding somewhere to live shapes the whole budget before anything else gets a look in. Across incomes, though, daily life looks fairly similar; the squeeze is broad rather than aimed at one end.
Where people spend money in Ireland
Housing is the line that swallows the budget, and the country's long-running shortage of homes keeps it that way — rent comes first, and the rest arranges itself around what's left. Eating out is a genuine expense, and getting around adds its own cost on top. You can ease off the meals out; the home is the part there's no real ducking.
Living-cost calculator
What it costs to live in Ireland
Tell us what you earn and spend today — we'll estimate what the same lifestyle would cost in Ireland and how much you could have left each month
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- How much could be left each month
- How it compares with today
Cost of living in Ireland
€1,190/mo
vs €692 in your country
Take-home
€2,470
vs €1,040 in your country
Potential savings
€1,280
more than in your country
Standard of living
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How living costs in Ireland compare
Measured against the world, Ireland counts among the expensive places to live, while inside Europe it sits a notch below the very priciest. The standout reason is housing: demand has run well ahead of supply, and that one shortage drags the whole cost of living up with it. For someone weighing a move, it's less a uniformly dear country than one with a single, very heavy weight.
Data source: household consumption 2023 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2023 (Eurostat), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Ireland?
A typical person in Ireland spends about €2,260 a month — around €27,100 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the cost of living in Ireland in US dollars?
The cost of living in Ireland is about $2,613 a month, or roughly $31,356 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Ireland?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about €1,190 a month per person, a typical one around €2,260, and a comfortable life around €2,850. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in Ireland?
The biggest expense is housing, at about €594 a month (26% of spending). Then come dining out (€364, 16%) and transport (€217, 10%).
Is the average salary in Ireland enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about €2,260 a month, while the average take-home pay in Ireland is about €3,660. For more on incomes, see salaries in Ireland.
Is Ireland an expensive country to live in?
Yes. Ireland is more expensive than 95% of countries worldwide and ranks 6th of 41 in Europe by cost of living.
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Living in Ireland
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