Irish Cost of Living Calculator

See how far your income goes in Ireland — compare living costs between cities and estimate the equivalent salary in EUR.

Ireland Cost of Living Calculator

Pre-filled with Irish averages — adjust any field to see the impact

1 Destination
2 Household Monthly Income Net (after tax, USC & PRSI) · combined
EUR / month
EUR 500EUR 15,000
3 Household
Adults
Children
4 Lifestyle
Housing tier
Accommodation type
Dining out
Transport
Entertainment
Fitness
Total Monthly Costs · Dublin
EUR 3,326
104% of salary
Single person · 1-bed apartment · Standard tier
Net Income
EUR 3,200
Total Costs
EUR 3,326
Left Over
−EUR 126

Summary breakdown

Total monthly cost EUR 3,326
HousingEUR 2,100
Food & groceriesEUR 420
Dining outEUR 200
TransportEUR 96
Utilities & internetEUR 255
HealthcareEUR 60
EntertainmentEUR 140
FitnessEUR 55
Expenses exceed income Expenses are EUR 126 above net income each month in Dublin. Rent is 65.6% of income — above the 30% housing-stress threshold. Eligibility for HAP (Housing Assistance Payment) and the Rent Tax Credit can be checked via Revenue.

Monthly Budget Summary

For a single person in Dublin on EUR 3,200/month net, with standard housing in a 1-bed apartment (EUR 2,100/mo). Total expenses: EUR 3,326. Monthly savings: −EUR 126 (-3.9% savings rate). Rent is 65.6% of net income — above the 30% housing-stress threshold.

Monthly Expenses
EUR 3,326
Monthly Savings
−EUR 126
Savings Rate
-3.9%
Rent % of Income
65.6%
Savings rate benchmark
Your savings rate
-3.9%
15% savings guideline
15%
Rental stress threshold (30% on rent)
30%
Expenses exceed income Expenses are EUR 126 above net income each month in Dublin. Rent is 65.6% of income — above the 30% housing-stress threshold.
Estimated gross salary required (individual)
Cover costs
EUR 4,205
EUR 50,464/yr · 0% saved
+ 10% buffer
EUR 4,905
EUR 58,863/yr · 10% saved
+ 20% buffer
EUR 5,780
EUR 69,361/yr · 20% saved
Reverse-calculated using Revenue 2026 Income Tax (20%/40% bands with EUR 4,000 tax credits), USC 2026 bands (0.5%/2%/3%/8%) and PRSI 4.2% (rising to 4.35% from 1 Oct 2026). Pension contributions, benefit-in-kind and HAP not modelled. Eligibility for HAP and Rent Tax Credit (EUR 1,000 single / EUR 2,000 couple) can be checked via Revenue.

Accommodation in Dublin

Standard-tier rent estimates from the RTB Rent Index Q3 2025 (released March 2026). National new tenancy average is EUR 1,776/month (+5.4% YoY) — Dublin City average is EUR 2,237 (all property types), Cork City EUR 1,753, Galway City EUR 1,888. Existing tenants pay EUR 282/month less on average than new tenants (18.9% gap) under Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) rules.

TypeBudgetStandardPremium% of Median Income
Room (House Share)EUR 648EUR 900EUR 1,48517.3% of gross
Studio / BedsitEUR 1,080EUR 1,500EUR 2,47528.8% of gross
1-Bed ApartmentEUR 1,512EUR 2,100EUR 3,46540.4% of gross
2-Bed ApartmentEUR 1,944EUR 2,700EUR 4,45551.9% of gross
3-Bed HouseEUR 2,304EUR 3,200EUR 5,28061.5% of gross
Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) rules: RPZ rules were expanded nationwide on 20 June 2025 — all of Ireland is now covered. Rent increases for sitting tenants are capped at 2% per annum or HICP inflation, whichever is lower. New tenancies are not subject to RPZ caps — leading to a "two-tier" market where new tenants paid 18.9% more than existing tenants on average in Q3 2025 (EUR 1,776 vs EUR 1,494 nationally). Eligibility for HAP (Housing Assistance Payment) and the Rent Tax Credit (EUR 1,000 single / EUR 2,000 jointly assessed couple — extended to 2028 in Budget 2026) can be checked via Revenue.

Food & Dining in Ireland

Typical monthly grocery spend, plus average prices at Tesco, Lidl, Aldi and Dunnes Stores Ireland.

Single (Dublin)
EUR 400–EUR 440
Single (Other cities)
EUR 350–EUR 390
Couple
EUR 620–EUR 720
Per Child
EUR 180
Common itemAvg price
Sliced pan (white loaf 800g)EUR 1.40 – EUR 2.00
Eggs (12 free range)EUR 3.00 – EUR 4.50
Milk (2 litres)EUR 1.85 – EUR 2.50
Chicken fillets (500g)EUR 4.50 – EUR 6.50
Beef mince (500g)EUR 4.50 – EUR 6.50
Basmati rice (1kg)EUR 2.00 – EUR 3.50
Bananas (5 pack)EUR 0.85 – EUR 1.20
Irish cheddar (400g)EUR 3.50 – EUR 5.50

Dining out

Venue / itemDublinOther cities
Coffee / flat whiteEUR 4.00 – EUR 5.50EUR 3.50 – EUR 4.50
Lunch deal (deli)EUR 7 – EUR 10EUR 6 – EUR 8
Carvery / pub lunchEUR 14 – EUR 20EUR 10 – EUR 15
Casual restaurant (p/p)EUR 25 – EUR 40EUR 18 – EUR 30
Pint of GuinnessEUR 6.50 – EUR 8.50EUR 5 – EUR 6.50
Takeaway curry / pizzaEUR 14 – EUR 22EUR 12 – EUR 18

Public Transport by City

Public transport across Ireland uses the TFI Leap Card. Dublin has the most extensive network (Dublin Bus, Luas, DART, Commuter Rail) integrated under Zone 1 with daily and weekly capping.

CitySystemMonthlyNotes
DublinTFI Leap (Bus / Luas / DART)EUR 96Zone 1 monthly Adult Leap. TFI 90-minute fare EUR 2 (multi-mode within 90 min). Daily cap ~EUR 8.
CorkBus Éireann (Leap)EUR 55Cork city bus services. TFI 90-minute fare applies.
GalwayBus Éireann (Leap)EUR 50Galway city services. Park & Ride at Dublin Road and Western Distributor.
LimerickBus Éireann (Leap)EUR 45Limerick city bus and rail services.
WaterfordBus Éireann (Leap)EUR 40Waterford City local bus services.
KilkennyLocal Link / Kilkenny City BusEUR 30Limited city services; most journeys by car or rail.
DroghedaBus Éireann (Leap)EUR 55Drogheda local + commuter to Dublin via M1.
SligoBus Éireann (Leap)EUR 35Sligo town and commuter services.
Owning a car in Ireland: Total running costs are typically EUR 700–950/month covering motor tax, NCT, insurance (Ireland has Europe's highest premiums averaging EUR 600–1,200/yr), fuel, and servicing. Petrol and diesel are taxed via excise duty, NORA levy and VAT (23%). Carbon tax on petrol and diesel is EUR 71/tonne (since 8 October 2025); the increase to EUR 71/tonne for other fuels has been postponed to 14 October 2026 (Budget 2026). EV owners benefit from reduced BIK rates (6-15% from 2026) and lower motor tax.

City-by-City Comparison

Rent (RTB Q3 2025), electricity, transport and gross income across 8 major Irish cities

Includes Revenue 2026, RTB Q3 2025 & CRU April 2026 data
Most Expensive Rent (1-bed)
EUR 2,100
Dublin · per month
Most Affordable Rent
EUR 1,100
Sligo · per month
Cheapest Electricity
EUR 110
Sligo · per month (1-bed est.)
Highest Median Income
EUR 5,200
Dublin · gross / month (CSO 2025)

How Much Is Left After Paying Rent?

Median gross city income minus median 1-bed apartment rent — money remaining before tax for expenses and savings

Monthly Expense Breakdown

Single person in a 1-bed apartment (gross income before tax)

Monthly Transport Cost by City

Official operator fares · TFI Leap Card monthly Adult passes (Dublin Zone 1 EUR 96 — TaxSaver-confirmed)

Monthly Electricity Bill by City

CRU/Electric Ireland April 2026 standard tariffs · 1-bed flat estimate (incl. 9% VAT)
City1-Bed Apt3-Bed HouseElectricityTransportGroceriesGross IncomeSurplus
Dublin DublinEUR 2,100EUR 3,200EUR 125EUR 96EUR 420EUR 5,200+EUR 3,100
Cork CorkEUR 1,560EUR 2,600EUR 120EUR 55EUR 380EUR 4,000+EUR 2,440
Galway GalwayEUR 1,850EUR 2,900EUR 120EUR 50EUR 380EUR 4,000+EUR 2,150
Limerick LimerickEUR 1,660EUR 2,500EUR 118EUR 45EUR 370EUR 3,800+EUR 2,140
Waterford WaterfordEUR 1,250EUR 2,000EUR 115EUR 40EUR 360EUR 3,500+EUR 2,250
Kilkenny KilkennyEUR 1,250EUR 2,000EUR 115EUR 30EUR 360EUR 3,500+EUR 2,250
Drogheda LouthEUR 1,500EUR 2,400EUR 118EUR 55EUR 375EUR 3,900+EUR 2,400
Sligo SligoEUR 1,100EUR 1,750EUR 110EUR 35EUR 355EUR 3,400+EUR 2,300

Important Disclaimer

For educational purposes only. All figures are estimates. Rent data from the RTB Rent Index Q3 2025 (released March 2026). National new tenancy average EUR 1,776/month (+5.4% YoY); existing tenancy average EUR 1,494/month (EUR 282 less per month / 18.9% gap). Q3 2025 city averages: Dublin EUR 2,237 / Cork EUR 1,753 / Galway EUR 1,888 / Limerick EUR 1,685 / Waterford EUR 1,452. Existing tenants protected by Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) rules — RPZ scope expanded nationwide on 20 June 2025. Income tax uses Revenue 2026 (Budget 2026) rates: standard rate 20% to EUR 44,000 single (EUR 53,000 married one income, EUR 88,000 max combined for two earners), 40% above. Personal Tax Credit EUR 2,000 + PAYE Employee Credit EUR 2,000 = EUR 4,000 total credits. USC 2026 bands: 0.5% to EUR 12,012, 2% to EUR 28,700 (band widened from EUR 27,382 in Budget 2026), 3% to EUR 70,044, 8% above (exempt below EUR 13,000). PRSI Class A1 employee: 4.2% from January–September 2026, rising to 4.35% from 1 October 2026. Electricity costs based on CRU/Electric Ireland April 2026 standard tariffs (incl. 9% VAT, extended under Budget 2026 to 31 December 2030); average annual bill is EUR 1,817/yr for typical 4,200 kWh household. CRU network charges added approximately EUR 2.41/month from October 2025. TFI Leap Card monthly Adult fare for Dublin Zone 1 is EUR 96 (TaxSaver-confirmed); Bus Éireann Leap fares apply elsewhere. Carbon tax on petrol and diesel is EUR 71/tonne (since 8 October 2025); the increase to EUR 71/tonne for other fuels has been postponed to 14 October 2026. Minimum wage EUR 14.15/hr from 1 January 2026. Rent Tax Credit (EUR 1,000 single / EUR 2,000 jointly assessed couple — extended to 31 Dec 2028 in Budget 2026), HAP, PRSA pension tax relief, Help to Buy and Mortgage Interest Tax Relief (final year, capped EUR 625/property in 2026) are not modelled. Rates, thresholds and cost figures are subject to change. This is not financial or tax advice.

Official data sources

↗ Revenue Tax Bands 2026 ↗ Revenue USC 2026 ↗ RTB Rent Index Q3 2025 ↗ CSO Housing Hub ↗ CRU Energy Regulation ↗ TFI Leap Card ↗ CRU Network Charges 2025/26