Average Rent in Dublin 2026 | Costs & Affordability

Dublin remains one of Europe's most expensive rental markets. Based on the latest available RTB Rent Index data (Q4 2024), the median monthly rent in Dublin sits at €1,800, with significant variation depending on property type, size, and location within the city. This page breaks down current benchmarks and what they mean for your budget.

Dublin Rent Benchmarks at a Glance

The figures below are drawn from RTB Rent Index Q4 2024 data compiled by the ESRI. All figures are monthly and in euros.

Bottom 10% of the market (P10): €1,200/month Median rent: €1,800/month Top 10% of the market (P90): €2,800/month

For context, the RTB data also shows that the average new tenancy rent for a 1-bedroom Dublin property was €1,501/month, while the overall Dublin average across all property types reached €2,117/month. The wide spread between P10 and P90 reflects how sharply rent varies by property size, condition, and neighbourhood.

How Much of Your Income Goes on Rent?

Rent-to-income ratio is the clearest measure of housing affordability. In Dublin, the picture varies considerably depending on where you sit in the income distribution.

Lower-income households (P25): 52% of income spent on rent Median-income households: 38% of income spent on rent Higher-income households (P75): 26% of income spent on rent

The widely cited affordability threshold is 30% of gross income. By that measure, only higher-earning Dublin renters are comfortably within an affordable range. Median-income renters are paying above that threshold, and lower-income renters are spending more than half their earnings on housing alone.

What Does the Median Rent Actually Get You?

At the median rent of €1,800/month, renters are typically looking at a mid-market one-bedroom or studio apartment in an inner Dublin suburb, or a room in a shared house in a more central location. The RTB data confirms that a 1-bed new tenancy averaged €1,501/month, meaning €1,800 broadly aligns with larger one-bedroom units or entry-level two-bedroom properties. Data not available for specific neighbourhood-level breakdowns within Dublin.

Is Dublin Rent Still Rising in 2026?

The data underpinning this page reflects RTB Rent Index Q4 2024 figures. Data not available for confirmed 2025 or 2026 rent movement. However, the Q4 2024 baseline of a €2,117 overall Dublin average and €1,501 for 1-bed new tenancies provides the most reliable recent anchor for estimating current costs. Renters should treat these figures as a floor rather than a ceiling when budgeting, given the persistent supply constraints in the Dublin market.

How to Use These Figures to Budget

A practical rule of thumb: keep your monthly rent at or below 30% of your gross monthly income. Using the Dublin median of €1,800/month, you would need a gross monthly income of at least €6,000 (approximately €72,000/year) to stay within that threshold. At the P90 rent of €2,800/month, the equivalent gross income required rises to around €9,333/month (approximately €112,000/year). Data not available for average Dublin salaries by sector in this dataset — use SpendVerdict's rent affordability calculator to input your own income and get a personalised ratio.

Data Notes and Confidence

Source: RTB Rent Index Q4 2024, compiled by the ESRI. Confidence level for these benchmarks is rated medium. Figures represent new tenancy registrations and may not capture all informal or short-term rental arrangements. All figures are monthly and quoted in euros. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or housing advice.

Use the SpendVerdict rent affordability calculator to see exactly what percentage of your income goes on rent in Dublin.