The 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Ireland

Ireland, which is the 2^nd largest of the British Isles, is often considered to be an ideal vacation destination, often appearing on many bucket lists. Ireland’s lively cultural scene offers a fascinating insight into Irish history and breathtaking scenery, plus a glimpse into some of its considerable and profound impacts on other cultures as a function of history.

Ireland’s geography consists of low-lying mountains (the island’s maximum elevation is 1,041 m (3,415 ft)), which circumvent a central plain. There are multiple rivers that extend inland, where much of the country’s lush vegetation can be found. The island’s climate is recognized to be changeably mild but generally without temperature extremes.

The Emerald Isle had more than 5 million residents in 2023.  The Republic of Ireland’s capital and largest city is Dublin, with an estimated population of 1,284,000 (2024). This Irish city ranks among the most expensive to live in Ireland. Dublin is often a city that makes the list of most expensive European cities, depending on the year.

So, if you are on a tight budget and need to monitor your spending, there are cheaper locations in Ireland. You just have to take a few minutes to explore these less expensive cities and towns.

Our Methodology

When deciding where to live or the town or city in which to reside, people consider many factors that impact their quality of life. Since it often takes the largest bite out of your budget, affordability is high on most priority lists when thinking about which town or city would be most suitable to meet your personal and financial requirements.

To rank Ireland’s affordable places, we review the average property price and average monthly rents for Irish locations.

• According to Euronews.com, at the end of last year (2023), average house prices in the Emerald Isle were €323,000 ($348,071 (US)). Relevant statistics by Ireland’s Central Statistics Office (CSO) note that property prices rose by 2.3 percent during the twelve months leading up to the end of 2023.
• The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) reported for, on a national level,  the 2023 -Q3 standardized average rent as €1,598 – €158/month increase year over year. To provide some context, a similar property for rent in Dublin would be approximately €2,362 monthly, which makes Dublin rents among the highest nationwide.

To Determine The Least Expensive Places To Live In Ireland

We analyzed data from various online sites and ranked the Irish cities and towns within Ireland’s 32 counties.

• Estate Agents Ireland.
• CSO – Central Statistics Office.
• REA – Real Estate Alliance.ie.
• Independent.ie.
• Mayo News, to name a few.

Our rankings are based on average property prices, and if there were a tie – the average monthly rent would break the ranking tie. Let’s take a dive and discover the hidden and affordable locations and gems across Ireland!

The 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Ireland

If you want to find an affordable place to set down roots in Ireland –  these are the ten cheapest places to live.

10. County Longford, The Province of Leinster, Ireland

• Average House Price – €320,000 ($344,838 US)
• Average Monthly Rent – €1,204 ($1,298 US)

Longford County, with a population that exceeds 46,000, is located in northern Ireland’s midlands.  Longford, which translates to fortress in Irish, is on the historic Annaly Gaelic territory and lies on the basin and banks of the River Shannon. This northern county is the fourth smallest of the Irish counties (in terms of area); however, this rural area is primarily agricultural, with peat bogs and crisscrossing waterways but a welcoming community offering more affordability than most of the country.

This low-lying county has a renowned fishing town (visit Lake of the King or Lough Ree), great schools, shopping options, job opportunities, and many activities for leisure time events. The River Shannon links to Dublin, so there are many boat cruises (to county events) that make stops to see this place in Ireland – with average property prices and rents below Ireland’s national average.

9. County Tipperary, The Province of Munster, Ireland

• Average House Price – €304,000 ($327,759 US)
• Average Monthly Rent – €1,733 ($1,867US)

County Tipperary is an Irish county within the province of Munster in southern Ireland, with a population of 167,895 (2022). The county is Ireland’s sixth-largest (in terms of size/area), rent prices sneak above national rates, and the average house price is more than 5% below Ireland’s national average.

This southern Irish county, which is located on Ireland’s central plan, consists mainly of large swaths of fertile rural areas – especially in the region known as the Golden Vale, one of the richest agricultural areas in Ireland. However, several mountain ranges are visible – the Knockmealdown, the Galtee, the Silvermine Mountains, and the Arra Hills, give everyone a city, town or forest to explore.

8. County Roscommon, The Province of Connacht, Ireland

• Average House Price – €260,000 ($280,181 US)
• Average Monthly Rent – € N/A

Rich in history, County Roscommon is chock-full of castles, ancient kings, and spectacular landscapes.  County Roscommon is Ireland’s eleventh-largest county, located in the northwest area of the country in the Connacht province. House prices offer affordability options for those who live in this county, which includes Lough Key, which is famous for its 21 islands and a history that can be traced back to the Middle Ages. The county seat is the namesake town located in the county’s central region.

The county is largely dependent on agriculture, though there is some light industry, monthly fairs, and a robust retail trade for those who live in County Roscommon. However, this central place is ideal because you will find you are located near many other Irish cities, towns, and rural areas.

7. County Clare, The Province of Munster, Ireland

• Average House Price – €243,000 ($261,861 US)
• Average Monthly Rent – €1,329 ($1,432 US)

At number seven on the list of affordable places to live in Ireland is County Clare, with average rents and house prices that fall below Ireland’s national levels. The CSO released the latest census data, which showed the population of this county to have grown to 127,938. Clare is a county in the Mid-West region of the Republic of Ireland, with a western border that meets the Atlantic Ocean and an area that is a history lover’s dream.

County Clare is surrounded on almost all sides by water, so many areas have amazing views of the  banks of the Shannon or Galway Bay. The pubs located in County Clare’s Doolin and Miltown Malbay are famous for their music sessions, and Ennis is considered among the last of Ireland’s boutique towns – with great nightlife options, lots of shops/boutiques to explore, restaurants, and a diverse community.

6. County Cavan, The Province of Leinster, Ireland

• Average House Price – €217,000 ($233,843 US)
• Average Monthly Rent – €1,162 ($1,252 US)

County Cavan, located in northern Ireland, offers the sixth most affordable place to live on the Emerald Isle offering rents and property prices with a strong affordability factor. This land-locked county, which borders Northern Ireland, is characterized by a hilly countryside that has – as it is said to have a lake for each day of the year (365). County Caven, which is also known as Lake County, offers great fishing and scenic opportunities on Loughs Brackley, Oughter, and more.

The northwestern area of County Cavan, with a 2022 population of 81,704, is sparsely populated and is home to the incredibly picturesque Lough-an-Leagh Mountain, which, on a clear day, you can see 14 counties from its summit. This county offers a robust job market as it is home to many international and industrial companies.

5. County Monaghan, The Province of Ulster, Ireland

• Average House Price – €215,000 ($231,688 US)
• Average Monthly Rent – €1,100 – 1,200 ($1,185 – $1,293 US)

Monaghan has some very affordable housing options and is a great choice for those who love the great outdoors. This, another of Ireland’s landlocked counties, is the fifth smallest, with a 2023 population of about 65,000. The county tends to have a strong entrepreneurial tradition and is part of the dynamic economic corridor that connects Belfast with Dublin.

In addition, there is a robust sense of community and a vibrant indigenous SME sector, which all combine to offer an excellent quality of life and some of the cheapest locations in Ireland. Within the county is Lough Muckno an ideal spot for angling and wakeboarding, while County Monahan’s rugged countryside offers a hiker’s dream.

4. County Mayo, The Province of Connacht, Ireland

• Average House Price – €212,000 ($228,455 US)
• Average Monthly Rent –– €1,733 ($1,868 US)

County Mayo, which is located in the province of Connacht in northwestern Ireland, is generally considered one of the cheapest places to live. This county, which had a 2022 population of 137,970, has more than 700 miles of coastline that meet the Atlantic Ocean; however, the northeast section of the county is home to some of the best salmon fishing – on the River Moy.

Mayo has Ireland’s highest cliffs at Croaghaun, and the country’s largest island is located off the coast – Achill Island – where sports enthusiasts will find a wide range of water activities from which to choose – including surfing, paddle boarding, diving, snorkeling, and more. The other crown jewel of the county is Westport, which was voted the best place to live in Ireland by Irish Times readers (2012).

3. County Sligo, The Province of Connacht, Ireland

• Average House Price – €211,000 ($227,377 US)
• Average Monthly Rent – €1,217 ($1,298 US)

County Sligo, which is the 22nd largest of Ireland’s 32 counties in area, ranks third on our list of the most affordable places to live in the Emerald Isle. County Sligo rents and home prices fall well below national averages for the more than 70,000 residents of the county in 2022.  Don’t miss the unique villages community villages that are surrounded and nestled along the coast that time has seemed to have forgotten.

Sligo is the county that is home to Benbulben Mountain. This is one of Ireland’s most famous and distinctive landmarks. County Sligo has some of the most stunning and remarkably beautiful natural scenic landscapes and attractions to explore, including the surfing landmark with the title of the Wild Atlantic Way – which is described as 1600 miles or one of the longest defined coastal routes globally.

2. County Donegal, The Province of Ulster, Ireland

• Average House Price – €196,000 ($211,213 US)
• Average Monthly Rent – €960 ($1,034 US)

 Donegal is the northernmost county of the Republic of Ireland, and it sits along the western border of Northern Ireland. Because County Donegal shares more of its border with Northern Ireland than land connection to the rest of the country, the region is considered a bit geographically isolated – but with some of the most affordable living options in the country.

Ireland, and particularly this county, has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country and even across the globe. While the North Atlantic is way too cold for swimming (for most), its scenic views can be appreciated for hours of relaxation. Donegal’s Mount Errigal is visible for miles around on a clear day, and rent and home prices are lower than in more populated counties. The area is not a typical tourist destination, so much of the traditional Irish culture has been preserved.

1. County Leitrim, The Province of Connacht, Ireland

• Average House Price – €191,000 ($205,825 US)
• Average Monthly Rent – €1,014( $1,093 US)

The cheapest place to live in Ireland is County Leitrim, which is located in northern Ireland and encompasses the historic West Breffny Gaelic territory. Home prices in County Leitrim were 10% higher than a year previously over the last three months of 2023. The latest census population from the CSO for 2022 revealed the county had a population of 35,199.

Leitrim, which has the shortest of all Ireland’s county coastlines (2.9 miles), has a hilly and mountainous landscape in its northwest and is relatively flat in the southeast, each separated from the other by Lough Allen in the middle of the county. The county is situated as the gateway to both the Rivers Shannon and the Shannon-Erne Waterway Leitrim – which together offer miles of unspoiled water trails and outdoor events.

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