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In 2025, the cost of living for a single person in Ireland is an estimated €1,001.60 per month without rent included. For a family of four, the estimated monthly cost of living is €3,512.60 with rent excluded. The annual rate of inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), was 1.9% in January 2025, and 1.7% in May 2025
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.
| Person(s) | Monthly Cost (Without Rent) | Housing Cost | Total Monthly Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | €1,001 | €2,053 (National Average Rental) | €3,054 |
| 2 People Sharing | €2,003 | €2,053 (National Average Rental) | €4,056 |
| Family of 4 | €3,512 | €1,000-€1,500+ (Mortgage) | €4,512 - €5,012 |
Source: Numbeo
Factors that can influence the cost of living include:
For a single person living in Ireland, the estimated monthly cost of living is €1,001.60 not including rent.
Given that the average open-market rent nationwide in Ireland was €2,053 per month in Q1 2025 (according to Daft.ie), we can estimate that the total estimated cost of living for a single person living and working in Ireland is approximately €3,054.60.
Based on these estimates, a single person would need to earn a minimum of €3,500 - €4,000 per month to live comfortably.
For a family of four, the cost of living rises significantly to an estimated €3,512.60 a month, not including rent or mortgage payments.
While a precise average mortgage payment for a "three-bedroom home" nationwide in 2025 is complex due to varying loan amounts, interest rates, and terms, the average home mortgage drawdown value reached €327,972 in Q1 2025 (BPFI).
Depending on the interest rate and loan term, a monthly mortgage payment for such a loan would likely range from €1,000 to €1,500+. For example, a €300,000 mortgage at a 4% interest rate over 25 years is approximately €1,587 per month.
Therefore, we can estimate that the total estimated cost of living for a family of four is approximately €4,512.60 to €5,012.60+.
Based on these estimates, a family of four would need to earn a minimum of €5,500 - €6,000 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. For instance, average rents in Dublin City reached €2,540 in Q1 2025, while Cork City was €2,213 and Limerick City €2,405.
In 2025, the average electricity bill is €1,817.12 for customers with a 24-hour urban meter.
The average gas bill is €1,571.04 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 EAB |
|---|---|
| Electricity | €1,817.12 |
| Gas | €1,571.04 |
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: June 2025
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In Q1 2025, the average open-market rent nationwide in Ireland was €2,053 per month, according to the latest Rental Report by Daft.ie.
This marks a 3.4% increase over just three months and the steepest quarterly jump in two decades.
Here’s a list of the average rent prices in Ireland for Q1 2025 from most expensive to cheapest in major cities and the rest of the country:
| Location | Average Rent (Q1 2025) | Annual Change |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin | €2,540 | +5.8% |
| Limerick City | €2,405 | +20.4% |
| Galway City | €2,304 | +12.6% |
| Cork City | €2,213 | +13.6% |
| Waterford City | €1,735 | +9.9% |
| Rest of Country | €1,645 | +7.2% |
Source: The Daft.ie Rental Price Report 2025 Q1
In Q1 2025, the average home mortgage drawdown value reached a record high of €327,972 (BPFI Drawdowns Report Q1 2025).
While an "average mortgage payment" is difficult to pinpoint precisely due to varying loan terms and interest rates, this figure gives an indication of the significant capital being borrowed.
Mortgage rates in Ireland have experienced notable changes in recent years. Following a period of very low rates (around 2-3% before 2022), they saw a sharp increase through 2022 and 2023 as the European Central Bank (ECB) raised its rates to combat inflation.
However, 2024 brought a welcome shift, with rates beginning to fall, and this trend has continued into 2025. The ECB has made multiple rate cuts, bringing its main refinancing rate down to 2.15% by June 2025 from a peak of 4.5% in September 2023.
This has led to a decrease in average Irish mortgage rates, with the average mortgage rate falling to 3.72% in April 2025, reaching its lowest level in two years.
Below you will find a breakdown in the average Irish mortgage rate over the last 3 years:
| Period | Average Irish Mortgage Rate (New Lending) | Key Trend / Context |
|---|---|---|
| Early 2022 | ~2% - 3% | Pre-ECB rate hike era, historically low rates. |
| Jan 2023 | 2.93% | Beginning of significant increases due to ECB hikes. |
| Jan 2024 | 4.27% (March 2024 data suggests this was still the higher range) | Rates peaked or were near peak. |
| Dec 2024 (median bank-held) | 3.95% | Rates began to ease following ECB cuts. |
| March 2025 (median bank-held) | 3.75% | Continued downward trend. |
| April 2025 (average) | 3.72% | Lowest in two years. |
| June 2025 (lowest fixed) | ~3.0% (for specific products/BER/LTV) | Market offering more competitive rates for certain criteria. |
While the annual inflation rate for Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages was 4.0% in May 2025 (CSO), 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.
Here’s a list of the current food shop prices in Ireland at the moment (these figures are from 2024, but provide a reasonable guide, noting that food prices have seen further increases into 2025):
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 litre) | 1.36 € |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 1.87 € |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 1.71 € |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | 3.74 € |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 9.25 € |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | 9.94 € |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | 11.38 € |
| Apples (1kg) | 2.72 € |
| Banana (1kg) | 1.90 € |
| Oranges (1kg) | 2.67 € |
| Tomato (1kg) | 3.86 € |
| Potato (1kg) | 1.89 € |
| Onion (1kg) | 1.37 € |
| Bottle of Wine | 12.00 € |
| Imported Beer (0.33 litre bottle) | 3.25 € |
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.
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 25 ways to reduce your energy bill guide for some more budget friendly tips.
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