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Cost of Living in Carlow

Carlow, Carlow, Ireland · Population 24,272

▼ -17% vs Ireland average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)€980 ($1,065)
Couple, monthly€1,791 ($1,947)
Family of four, monthly€2,367 ($2,573)

Estimated Prices in Carlow

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant€8.69 ($9.45)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range€34.78 ($37.80)per meal
Cappuccino€2.61 ($2.84)each
Monthly groceries (single person)€197 ($214)per month
Monthly public transport pass€31.88 ($34.65)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment€84.04 ($91.35)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)€24.34 ($26.46)per month
Fitness club membership€24.34 ($26.46)per month
Cinema ticket€6.38 ($6.93)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre€575 ($625)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre€400 ($435)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre€1,200 ($1,304)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Carlow is €2,815 ($3,060) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of €980 ($1,065) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly €1,273 ($1,384) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (€400 ($435)) represents about 41% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Carlow

Carlow vs DublinCarlow vs FinglasCarlow vs CorkCarlow vs GalwayCarlow vs TallaghtCarlow vs Limerick

Nearby Cities

Athy

18 km away · Kildare

Kilkenny

29 km away · Kilkenny

Port Laoise

33 km away · Laois

Droichead Nua

39 km away · Kildare

Portarlington

41 km away · Laois

Enniscorthy

44 km away · Wexford

Gorey

46 km away · Wexford

Naas

46 km away · Kildare

Other Major Cities in Ireland

Dublin

Dublin · pop. 1,534,900

€1,471 ($1,599) / mo

Finglas

Dublin · pop. 296,214

€1,173 ($1,275) / mo

Cork

Cork · pop. 222,333

€1,100 ($1,196) / mo

Galway

Galway · pop. 83,456

€1,100 ($1,196) / mo

Tallaght

South Dublin · pop. 81,022

€1,100 ($1,196) / mo

Limerick

Limerick · pop. 62,702

€1,100 ($1,196) / mo

Lucan

South Dublin · pop. 57,550

€1,100 ($1,196) / mo

Ballyfermot

Dublin · pop. 50,013

€1,100 ($1,196) / mo

Living in Carlow

Carlow is one of the key cities in Ireland. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is €980 ($1,065), placing it below the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around €400 ($435) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to €2,367 ($2,573) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately €1,791 ($1,947) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Carlow is €2,815 ($3,060). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least €1,273 ($1,384) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Carlow expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated €980 ($1,065) per month in Carlow including rent outside the city centre. That is 17% less than the national average for Ireland.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Carlow?
A net salary of around €1,273 ($1,384) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Carlow with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Carlow is €2,815 ($3,060).
How much is rent in Carlow?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated €575 ($625) per month in the city centre and €400 ($435) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about €1,200 ($1,304).
Is Carlow cheaper than Ireland on average?
Yes — Carlow is estimated to be about 17% cheaper than the Ireland average, making it a relatively affordable option in the country.
What is the cost of groceries in Carlow?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at €197 ($214) in Carlow. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about €9 ($9) and a cappuccino runs around €3 ($3).
How do transport costs in Carlow compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Carlow is estimated at €32 ($35). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Carlow are estimates based on Ireland national averages adjusted for city size (population 24,272). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.