September 16, 2026
Cost of Living in Cork and Galway 2026: Cheaper Than Dublin, but How Much?
Rent, bills and salaries in Cork and Galway in 2026, how much less you need than in Dublin, and which employers actually hire there.
Cork and Galway cost roughly 25 to 30 percent less than Dublin to live in, while salaries are only 10 to 15 percent lower. A single professional lives comfortably on about EUR 38,000 gross, and a family on about EUR 75,000 combined. The trade off is fewer roles, so your sector matters.
What a month costs
| Monthly cost | Cork | Galway | Dublin for reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Room in a shared house | EUR 650 to 850 | EUR 650 to 900 | EUR 900 to 1,200 |
| 1 bed apartment | EUR 1,350 to 1,700 | EUR 1,400 to 1,750 | EUR 1,900 to 2,400 |
| 2 bed family home | EUR 1,700 to 2,100 | EUR 1,750 to 2,200 | EUR 2,400 to 3,000 |
| Utilities and bins | EUR 170 | EUR 175 | EUR 180 |
| Transport | EUR 65 | EUR 60 | EUR 100 |
| Childcare, one child | EUR 750 to 1,000 | EUR 750 to 1,000 | EUR 900 to 1,300 |
The salary you need
- Single, house share: about EUR 34,000 to 38,000 gross.
- Single, own apartment: about EUR 45,000 to 50,000 gross.
- Couple with one child: about EUR 72,000 to 80,000 combined.
Compare that with roughly EUR 45,000, EUR 60,000 and EUR 90,000 for the same three situations in Dublin. The gap is real money, typically EUR 8,000 to 12,000 a year of extra breathing room.
Who actually hires in Cork and Galway
Cork: Apple, Dell, Stryker, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Johnson and Johnson, Boston Scientific, plus a strong finance and shared services base.
Galway: Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Merit Medical, Genesys, SAP and Cisco, with med devices as the anchor industry.
If you work in med devices, pharma, manufacturing or enterprise software, the regions can be a better career move than Dublin, not just a cheaper one. If you work in banking, law or venture backed startups, Dublin still holds most of the roles.
What you give up
Fewer open roles means longer searches and less leverage when negotiating. Public transport is weaker, so most households need a car, which adds EUR 300 to 450 a month once you count insurance, tax, fuel and NCT. International flight connections outside Dublin are limited.
Next steps
- Compare with Dublin costs and salaries
- Salary ranges by role in Ireland
- Get the CV format right before applying to Irish employers
- Book a free consultation to work out whether your sector supports a move outside Dublin
Written by
Hugo F
Founder of HULA Career Coaching. Helping international professionals land jobs in Ireland, the UK and Europe.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cork cheaper than Dublin?
Yes, roughly 25 to 30 percent cheaper overall, driven mainly by rent. Salaries are only about 10 to 15 percent lower, so disposable income is usually higher.
What salary do you need to live in Galway?
About EUR 34,000 to 38,000 gross sharing a house, EUR 45,000 to 50,000 renting alone and EUR 72,000 to 80,000 combined for a couple with one child.
Which companies hire in Cork and Galway?
Cork has Apple, Dell, Stryker, Pfizer, Eli Lilly and Boston Scientific. Galway is anchored by med devices with Medtronic, Boston Scientific and Merit Medical, plus Genesys, SAP and Cisco.
Do you need a car in Cork or Galway?
Usually yes outside the city centres. Budget EUR 300 to 450 a month for insurance, tax, fuel and NCT.
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