How much do I need to earn to live comfortably in Ireland?
The cost of living in Ireland is quite high when compared to some other European countries but is by no means the most expensive.
Dublin requires more money to live comfortably than other areas of the country and is often compared to London in the UK with regards to cost of living. Rent in Dublin has been on the rise in recent years, and many goods in Ireland are imported leading to higher price tags.
However, it is important to note that expats usually have well-paid jobs, due to the level of skill often required to be granted permission to work in the State. This means that those who are moving to Ireland for work should not find it difficult to live comfortably.
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.
For an acceptable standard of living, it is believed that people in Ireland need to earn around €450 per week, which actually means that the individual needs to be earning at around €3 more than the minimum wage.
Cost of living in Ireland
When looking at how much it costs to live in Ireland, it may be useful to consider some key statistics:
- The cost of living in Ireland is more expensive than 95% of countries in the world
- It is the second most expensive country to live in Western Europe
- The estimated costs for a single person per month is around €2,728 and for a family of four is around €4,809
It is interesting to note that, while the cost of rent in Ireland may have risen in recent years, there have been notable reductions in the cost of health insurance, transport and food prices.
The cost of living does, however, vary depending on the area. As with most countries, there are areas that are more and less expensive to live. The cost of living in Dublin is 33% higher than in Cork, and 47% higher than Belfast (for those comparing the cost of living to Northern Ireland).
Monthly rent for furnished accommodation in an expensive area is an average of €2,174, whereas for the same type of accommodation in a ‘normal’ area, the cost stands at €1,769 per month.
