Cost of Living in Cork

Cork is generally more affordable than Dublin, but prices have risen significantly in recent years. Here's a detailed breakdown of typical monthly costs.

Accommodation (Monthly)

• 1-bedroom apartment (city centre): €1,200 — €1,800
• 1-bedroom apartment (outside centre): €900 — €1,300
• 3-bedroom house (suburb): €1,500 — €2,500
• Student accommodation (per room): €500 — €900

Utilities (Monthly)

• Electricity: €80 — €150
• Gas/heating: €60 — €120
• Broadband: €40 — €60
• Mobile phone plan: €15 — €40
• TV licence: €13/month (paid annually)

Groceries (Monthly)

• Single person: €250 — €400
• Couple: €450 — €650
• Family of 4: €700 — €1,100

Main supermarket chains: Dunnes Stores, Tesco, SuperValu, Lidl, Aldi. The English Market is great for quality meat, fish, and artisan produce at a premium.

Eating Out

• Lunch (café/sandwich bar): €10 — €15
• Pub meal: €16 — €22
• Dinner for two (mid-range): €55 — €90
• Pint of Guinness: €5.50 — €7.00
• Coffee: €3.50 — €5.00

Transport (Monthly)

• Bus Leap Card monthly pass: ~€80
• Petrol (per litre): ~€1.60
• Car insurance (young driver): €800 — €1,500/year
• Bike maintenance: €20 — €50

Healthcare

• GP visit (without medical card): €50 — €70
• Health insurance (per month): €60 — €150
• Prescription (common meds): €15 — €60

Sample Monthly Budgets

Single Professional (City Centre)

Family of 4 (Suburbs)