Cost of Living in Ireland (2024)

FAQs

How much is enough to live in Ireland? ›

A family of four estimated monthly costs are 3,585.4$ (3,327.4€) without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are 1,024.8$ (951.1€) without rent. Cost of living in Ireland is, on average, 2.8% lower than in United States. Rent in Ireland is, on average, 7.9% lower than in United States.

Ireland is known for its high quality of life, but it also has a relatively high cost of living. The cost of living in Ireland depends on where you choose to live and your lifestyle. Many factors contribute to the cost of living in a foreign country, such as housing, food, transportation and entertainment costs.

For a single person, the premium is higher at around €3,400 per month, requiring a €65,000 annual salary. Living Wage for Ireland Living Wage 2022/23 Living Wage Annual Paper Technical Document Expenditure & Income Tables What is a Living Wage It is a wage which makes possible a minimum acceptable standard of living.

Pros and Cons of the Cost of Living in Ireland vs USA

The cost of living anywhere in the world is higher in bigger cities and not nearly as high in smaller towns and rural areas. This certainly holds true for Ireland. Ireland, overall, tends to be pricier than the average cost of living in the U.S.

It is estimated that a family of four would need approximately 6,000 EUR per month to live comfortably in Ireland. This takes into account the costs of everyday living expenses, transport and housing and allows for disposable income.

Fortunately, United States citizens do not need a visa when visiting Ireland for 90 days when on business or vacation. The D-visa category is a single entry and is long-term. The visa allows you to study work and settle there permanently.

And undoubtedly one of the best places to live in, especially for those Americans who cannot live without the bustle and nightlife of a big city. Ireland has a diverse population, which makes it a great place for expats.

Quality of life: Income inequality exists in both these developed countries. However, the United Nations ranked Ireland 2^nd for quality of life, with the US at 7^th.

Travellers to Ireland may find it to be more expensive than other places in Western Europe, with an average trip cost being approximately €90 to €175 per person per day (around $95-186 USD) assuming you are splitting costs between two people.

Everyone ordinarily resident in Ireland and certain visitors to Ireland are entitled to a range of public health services either free of charge or at reduced cost. You are ordinarily resident if you have been living in Ireland for at least a year or you intend to live here for at least one year.

How much is rent in Ireland? ›

New rents nationally increased by 6.7% in Q3 2022 compared to Q3 2021. In Q3 2022, average rent for new tenancies in Dublin was €2,022 per month and outside Dublin (non-Dublin) was €1,164 per month.

It means a year's worth of groceries for the average household will cost €8,270 in 2023 — €1,159 more than last year.

Before heading across the pond, it's best to consult current travel requirements, but it is possible for an American to move to Ireland. To enter the country, you'll need a current passport, and if you intend on staying longer than 90 days, you will need to obtain permission and documentation from Irish officials.

Housing Costs in Ireland

The monthly rent for a one-bedroom in the city center is USD$1,700-$2,100, while a three-bedroom is USD$2,950-$3,600. Even outside of the city center, costs are steep, with a three-bedroom renting for USD$2,350-$2,900 per month.

The average house price has reached a new record of €359,000 in Ireland, a rise of more than €1,300 a month in a year, the latest figures show. The Central Statistics Office has revealed that, last year, that figure stood at €343,250. That means house prices have risen by almost 9% year-on-year.

In Ireland, the threshold for the top 10% of earners starts at gross personal earnings of just under €70,000 (€69,511.01) with the threshold for the top 1% beginning at just under €190,000 (€189,701.69).

Which is cheaper to live in Ireland or Canada? As per several studies, Canada is cheaper than Ireland by 9.6% overall. The cost of living in Ireland is higher by 26%.

The cost of living in Ireland can be slightly higher than that of the UK, largely due to taxes, rents, and goods being more expensive.

As a US citizen, you are required to file an annual United States tax return no matter how long you have lived in Ireland. You will also need to file a return with the Irish government. Both nations adhere to a standard tax year, which mirrors the calendar year.

Retiring to Ireland

You must be able to prove to the Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service (INIS) that you have sufficient resources to support yourself and obtain permission to remain by registering with your local immigration registration officer following your arrival in Ireland.

Does Ireland accept US retirees? ›

If you wish to retire to Ireland you must be financially independent and meet all conditions. You will be required to provide independent verification of your compliance with the financial conditions. This verification must be certified by an Irish accountancy firm. The application process is explained below.

Northern Irish People are Friendly to Everyone

While there are some differences between the north and the south of Ireland, you'll find that our reputation for friendliness is very much deserved. Strike up a conversation with a local in a pub and don't be surprised if they ask you to join them.

They are always welcome. Americans are usually welcomed and treated with respect in Ireland.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

Little did they know that as time progressed, the city would become one of the most famous Irish enclaves in the world.

It's not just a great place to work – it's also a great place to live. In one study, Ireland ranked 23rd out of 65 countries in terms of friendliness. Nearly half of all survey expats gave Ireland full marks for being a welcoming destination. Additionally, seven out of ten expats say they feel at home in Ireland.

You must have a valid passport to enter Ireland. U.S. citizens can enter visa-free for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days. There is no minimum passport validity requirement for U.S. citizens entering Ireland.

Ireland is a land of festivals, especially during the summer months. With a little planning, tourists are sure to find a festival of interest celebrating everything from the arts, architecture, fashion, film, food, literature, music, theater, and much, much more.

U.S. citizens are permitted to drive in Ireland for the duration of a visit up to 12 months as a tourist. If you wish to apply for an International Permit for use during your visit you can apply through the AAA in the U.S. – you can find more information here .

Ireland is a parliamentary, representative democratic republic and a member state of the European Union.

Can you live in Ireland without being a citizen? ›

You are generally entitled to live in Ireland if you are employed or self-employed. You are entitled to come here to study or retire here if you meet certain conditions. Your family can come to Ireland too, but they may need a visa to enter Ireland if they are not EEA or Swiss citizens themselves.

Are public hospitals free in Ireland? Public in-patient and day service fees were abolished on 17 April 2023. This means that the daily charge for staying in hospital for public patients no longer applies from this date.

😋 Do I Tip in Irish Restaurants? It's normal to leave between 10-15% of your bill as a tip after dining in Irish restaurants, bistros, cafés or pubs. Leaving a tip higher than 15% of your bill after dining in Ireland is really only given for outstanding service.

January and February are the coldest months of the year, and mean daily air temperatures fall between 4 and 7 °C (39.2 and 44.6 °F) during these months.

Pub grub in Ireland

Pub grub remains the cheapest way to get a full meal in Ireland, with burgers, sandwiches, meat pies, and other typical bar fare going for about €10 to €15 (including a side of chips—Yanks call 'em "fries"). Add €3.50 to €5.50 for a pint, and your full meals rings in under $20.

The average cost of a meal in a cheaper restaurant is around €10-€15. In a mid-range restaurant, the average cost of a meal is €20-€30. In a high-end restaurant, the average cost of a meal is €40-€50 or more.

Half of Irish consumers are bill pay customers, with an average monthly spend of €42, including the cost of their handset. Pre-pay customers are spending €21 per month on average.

It revealed that Irish households spend on average €228 per month on groceries, with men spending €249 and women spending €249. Adults aged between 50 and 54 spend the most on their monthly shop at around €367.

You may be entitled to Irish citizenship if your parent(s) or grandparents were Irish. You may be entitled to Irish citizenship if you were born outside of Ireland, but you may need to register your birth. Naturalisation is the process through which a foreign national can become an Irish citizen.

If you are not from the EEA, Switzerland and the UK, you must have permission to live in Ireland. To get permission to come to Ireland to work, you have to apply for an employment permit. In general, you must get your employment permit before you come to Ireland.

How much money do you need to live comfortably in Ireland? ›

A family of four estimated monthly costs are 3,575.3$ (3,324.8€) without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are 1,021.9$ (950.3€) without rent. Cost of living in Ireland is, on average, 3.0% lower than in United States. Rent in Ireland is, on average, 8.0% lower than in United States.

Average Rent in Ireland

The average price throughout the whole country is just over 1,400 EUR (1,550 USD). This figure takes into account monthly rents that range from the most expensive, Dublin at an average of 2,200 EUR (2,400 USD), to the cheapest, Leitrim and Donegal, which are between 600—700 EUR (660—770 USD).

Average rents top €2,300 in Dublin and €1,700 in Cork, as prices respond to chronic shortage of properties. Rents across the country continue to rise to record levels, driven by a chronic shortage of houses. In the final quarter of 2022, average rents hit €1,733 per month, up 13.7% on the same period a year ago.

At some point in your life you may want to buy a home. This page covers the different stages involved in doing this. There are no residency-based restrictions to buying property in Ireland. You can buy property here if you are an Irish citizen, EU/EEA citizen, non-EEA national or even non-resident in Ireland.

Ireland, overall, tends to be pricier than the average cost of living in the U.S. However, depending on where you are coming from in the states, you may find that parts of Ireland are extremely affordable. Cost of living is not the only factor to consider when deciding if you should move to Ireland.

The price of a three-bedroomed semi-detached house across the country rose by 0.14% over the past three months to €235,028, after an annual decline of 0.63% in 2019.

Quality Cost of Living in Ireland

Ireland is not the cheapest place to settle down, but you'll find that it offers a relaxing, rewarding environment for your much anticipated life abroad. In many areas of Ireland, the cost of living is about US$2,500 per month. If you're savvy, your budget may even be lower.

Moving overseas typically costs between $1,500 and $12,000. The cost of moving to Ireland or other European destinations depends on how much you take and where you're going.

A "good" salary for a single adult ranges from 50,000 EUR to 60,000 EUR a year. This would be sufficient to cover accommodations, transport, living expenses, and the occasional perks. Families with children will need more than that, of course. Ideally, they should earn about 6,000 EUR per month or 72,000 EUR per year.

As a US citizen, you are required to file an annual United States tax return no matter how long you have lived in Ireland. You will also need to file a return with the Irish government. Both nations adhere to a standard tax year, which mirrors the calendar year.

Is it hard for a US citizen to move to Ireland? ›

Before heading across the pond, it's best to consult current travel requirements, but it is possible for an American to move to Ireland. To enter the country, you'll need a current passport, and if you intend on staying longer than 90 days, you will need to obtain permission and documentation from Irish officials.

What is a middle-income earner's wage in Ireland? In Ireland, those who receive a between €35,000 and €50,000 are described as middle-income earners.

Individuals with a highest level of educational attainment of Third level degree or higher had the highest nominal median equivalised disposable income of the categories analysed in 2020, at €32,337. This compares with €17,540 for those with Primary level education or lower. See figure 2.4.

Households with a wealth value greater than €756,000 belong to the wealthiest 10% of all households (the top net wealth decile). Households in the bottom 10% of the net wealth distribution have a net wealth value less than €100 (see Table 5.1). The data on this table was updated on 16/05/2023.

You can visit and remain in Ireland for up to three months as a tourist. While this might suffice for your home search prior to your move, a retirement visa is necessary for a longer stay.

You must have a valid passport to enter Ireland. U.S. citizens can enter visa-free for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days. There is no minimum passport validity requirement for U.S. citizens entering Ireland.

An annual income of €100,000 is chosen as representing very high income earners – it represents the top 6.5% of earners (180,000 earners) according to Revenue Commissioners data and is well over twice average earnings.

Salaries in Ireland

The median earnings in the country now are as follows: 9.45 euros per hour for a junior employee; 10.92 Eur hourly for a fresh employee with no training; 11.79 EUR hourly for a new employee with 12 months' training; the individual who has worked for more than one year receives €12.65 per hour.

The first part of your income, up to a certain amount, is taxed at 20%. This is known as the standard rate of tax and the amount that it applies to is known as the standard rate tax band. The remainder of your income is taxed at the higher rate of tax, 40%.