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In 2024, the cost of living for a single person in Ireland is an estimated €990.10 per month without rent included. For a family of four, the estimated monthly cost of living is €3,467.40 with rent excluded. The rate of inflation has fallen from 4.1% at the start of 2024 to 2.2% by mid 2024. The average annual electricity bill is €1,374.39 on a standard, urban 24hr meter.
The term 'cost of living' refers to the amount of money needed to sustain a certain standard of living by affording expenses such as housing, food, transport, healthcare, energy etc.
Factors that can influence the cost of living include:
| Person(s) | Monthly Cost | Housing Cost | Total Monthly Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | €990.10 | €981 (Rental) | €1,971 |
| 2 People Sharing | €1,980.20 | €981 (Rental) | €2,961 |
| Family of 4 | €3,467.40 | €814 (Mortgage) | €4,281 |
Source: Numbeo
For a single person living in Ireland, the estimated monthly cost of living is €990.10 not including rent.
Given that the average monthly rent in Ireland for a one-bedroom apartment is currently €981, we can estimate that the total estimated cost of living for a single person living and working in Ireland is €1,971.
Based on these estimates, a single person would need to earn a minimum of €2,500 per month to live comfortably.
For a family of four, the cost of living rises significantly to an estimated €3,467.40 a month, not including rent or mortgage payments.
Given that the average monthly mortgage payment in Ireland for a three-bedroom home is currently €814, we can estimate that the total estimated cost of living for a family of four is €4,281.
Based on these estimates, a family of four would need to earn a minimum of €5,000 per month to live comfortably
National Averages and Estimated Costs
These estimates are based on a national average, with prices in large urban areas such as Dublin and Cork much higher than in rural counties.
As of August 2024, the average electricity bill is €1,364.39 for customers with a 24-hour urban meter.
The average gas bill is €1,257.39 for customers on a standard gas meter.
Energy bills have become a lot more expensive in recent years, given the global energy crisis affecting electricity prices.
When it comes to your utilities bills, such as energy, broadband, and waste bills, these are usually the most expensive bills you need to pay for after your rent.
| Meter Type | Average Urban EAB | Average Rural EAB |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | €1,364.39 | €1,422.26 |
| Gas | €1,257.97 | €1,257.97 |
Average EABs calculated using weighted average method. This approach ensures that the average reflects the varying rates charged by different energy suppliers and their respective market shares in Ireland.
Last updated: August 2024
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In 2024, the average rent in Ireland is €1,136, according to the Residential Tenancies Board Rent Index for Q4, 2023.
This standardised average is a mix adjusted rent that takes account of the changing mix of properties in an area.
Here’s a list of the average rent prices from most expensive to cheapest in Ireland:
Source: RTB Q4 2023 Rent Index
In 2024, the average mortgage payment in Ireland is €814, according to the Daft.ie Rental Price Report 2024 Q1.
While average mortgage payments are almost 30% less than rental prices, due to Ireland's housing crisis, renters are still struggling to get on the property ladder.
Source: The Daft.ie Rental Price Report 2024 Q1
While the rate of inflation has dropped from 4.1% in January 2024 to 2.2% by mid 2024, supermarket prices remain high, adding further costs to an already expensive monthly expenditure.
This is due to the fact that inflation reached an unprecedented 10% in 2022 which saw a spike in pricing for food.
While the rate of inflation has dropped by almost 8% in two years, prices remain high.
Here’s a list of the current food shop prices in Ireland at the moment:
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 litre) | 1.27 € |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 1.73 € |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 1.60 € |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | 3.63 € |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 8.50 € |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | 9.50 € |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | 10.72 € |
| Apples (1kg) | 2.50 € |
| Banana (1kg) | 1.89 € |
| Oranges (1kg) | 2.52 € |
| Tomato (1kg) | 3.25 € |
| Potato (1kg) | 1.73 € |
| Onion (1kg) | 1.32 € |
| Bottle of Wine | 12.00 € |
| Imported Beer (0.33 litre bottle) | 3.28 € |
Source: Numbeo
To alleviate the cost of living in Ireland, there are several social welfare payments in place to help people who are struggling.
These programmes are aimed at alleviating the two biggest costs people have in housing and energy.
With Budget 2025 set to be announced in October 2024, we will have to wait to see if the government makes any changes to these schemes for 2025.
In recent budget announcements, the government has introduced various relief schemes to help those struggling to pay their energy bills.
There are a couple of programmes in place to help with renting costs as well as social housing. Here’s a list of some of the main ones on offer for renters:
Unfortunately, the cost of living in Ireland will continue to present a challenge for every Irish household, with prices set to remain high for the foreseeable future.
Here at Selectra, we want to help you lower your energy costs with our energy saving top tips so that you can lower your monthly bills and have more money to spend on the things you want to:
If some of these are out of your budget, have a look at our 101 ways to reduce your energy bill guide for some more budget friendly tips.
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The services and products mentioned on this website may only represent a small selection of the options available to you. Selectra encourages you to carry out your own research and seek advice if necessary before making any decisions. We may receive commission from selected partner providers on sales of some products and/or services mentioned within this website. Our website is free to use, and the commission we receive does not affect our opinion or the information we provide.
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