Wexford ranked among Ireland’s least affordable counties for homebuyers

The average house price across Ireland continues to rise, making it increasingly challenging for buyers to step onto and move up the property ladder…

However, certain areas of the country remain significantly more expensive than others.

Chill Insurance has analysed housing data from 2010 to 2024 across all Irish counties. The study examined average house prices, incomes, and other key financial factors to reveal the most and least affordable places to buy a home. It also highlighted the counties projected to see the largest increases in house prices over the coming years.

The table below shows the counties with the least affordable house prices:

Rank	County	Average House Price	Average House Deposit	Average Saved Per Year	Number of Years To Save For A Deposit
1	Dublin	€614,012	€61,401	€7,026	8 Years9 Months
2	Wicklow	€461,534	€46,153	€6,340	7 Years 3 Months
3	Kildare	€406,165	€40,616	€6,368	6 Years5 Months
4	Meath	€372,932	€37,293	€6,046	6 Years2 Months
5	Cork	€351,603	€35,160	€5,988	5 Years10 Months
6	Galway	€338,753	€33,875	€5,586	6 Years1 Month
7	Kilkenny	€326,304	€32,630	€5,419	6 Years
8	Louth	€304,825	€30,411	€5,311	5 Years9 Months
9	Limerick	€302,825	€30,283	€5,679	5 Years4 Months
10	Wexford	€293,578	€29,358	€4,934	5 Years 11 Months

Wexford is ranked as Ireland’s 10th least affordable county for homebuyers. With an average house price of €293,578 and a required deposit of €29,358, it would take prospective buyers 5 years and 11 months to save for the deposit.

The study also revealed that house prices in this area have risen by 138% over the past decade and are projected to increase by 11% by 2030, reaching €326,615.

Dublin ranks as Ireland’s least affordable location for homebuyers. The average house price in the capital costs €614,012—double the national average of €291,078. Saving the €61,401 deposit would take prospective buyers nearly 9 years.

Wicklow takes second place with an average house price of €461,534. Buyers would need to save €6,340 annually over 7 years and 3 months to reach the €46,153 deposit.

Kildare completes the top three least affordable counties. The average house price in Kildare is €406,165, with a deposit of €40,616 requiring approximately 6 years and 5 months of saving.

Additional findings include:

Leitrim is Ireland’s most affordable county for homebuyers, with average house prices at €186,487 in 2024 and a deposit of €18,649, taking just under four years to save.
County Wicklow is forecasted to see the sharpest increase in house prices by 2030, with the average price expected to rise from €461,534 to €586,398—a 27% surge over the next five years.
Laois has seen the highest growth over the past decade with the average house prices in the county skyrocketing by 161%, climbing from €101,752 to €265,224.

Ian O’Reilly from Chill Insurance shares tips for buying a home :

“Saving for a deposit can feel daunting, especially when facing the prospect of spending up to eight years accumulating funds. While skipping your morning latte or avocado toast won’t singlehandedly get you onto the property ladder, smarter saving habits can make a big difference. Experts recommend following the 50/30/20 rule: allocate 50% of your income to necessities, 30% to personal wants, and 20% to savings. This approach is 7% higher than the national average savings rate, giving you a crucial reduction in the time it will take to accumulate your deposit.

“Consulting a mortgage advisor is another valuable step. They can help you understand what you can afford and potentially secure better mortgage deals, saving you money in the long run.

“Additionally, government help-to-buy schemes, especially for first-time buyers, can significantly reduce the financial burden and bring homeownership within reach.

“Finally, when you’re ready to finalise your purchase and transfer your deposit, don’t forget to purchase home insurance. Many banks require proof of home insurance before they will release mortgage funds, so having this in place is essential to ensure a smooth buying process.”

You can view the full study here: https://www.chill.ie/blog/the-counties-with-the-most-affordable-homes/