With the cost of living climbing and supply still struggling to catch up with demand, Ireland’s housing crisis shows little sign of slowing in 2025. From soaring rents to unaffordable house prices and a chronic shortage of social housing, the problem touches nearly every corner of the country—but not all cities are suffering equally.

So, how do Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Limerick compare? And which city is currently experiencing the worst housing crisis in Ireland?

Which Irish City Has the Worst Housing Crisis?

Dublin: Ground Zero for Ireland’s Housing Emergency

It should come as no surprise that Dublin remains the epicentre of the country’s housing turmoil.

• Rental prices are the highest in the country, with two-bedroom apartments averaging over €2,150/month.
• Over 70% of Ireland’s homeless population is based in the capital, many of whom are families living in emergency accommodation.
• Social housing is under intense strain. Flats in areas like Oliver Bond House are plagued by mould and damp, raising concerns about long-term health effects.
• While new developments continue, they often target high-end buyers or build-to-rent schemes, leaving many Dubliners priced out of their own city.

Verdict: Dublin’s mix of demand pressure, homelessness, and high prices keeps it firmly in crisis mode.

Cork: Rising Prices and Low Availability

While Cork offers slightly more breathing room than Dublin, it isn’t far behind when it comes to housing stress.

• Property prices are among the highest outside Dublin, with many first-time buyers pushed to satellite towns or beyond.
• Cork ranks 19th in the country for housing availability, meaning buyers and renters alike face tough competition.
• The city’s tech and pharma booms are attracting workers, but housing stock isn’t growing fast enough to meet demand.

Verdict: Cork is a pressure cooker of rising prices and limited options, especially for young buyers and renters.

Galway: Small City, Big Demand

Galway’s scenic charm and growing economy—particularly in tech and medtech—are making it increasingly difficult to live affordably in the city.

• The city ranks 16th in availability, with a competitive housing market driven by its expanding workforce.
• Rental demand is high, particularly among students, tech workers, and young families.
• Galway’s infrastructure hasn’t scaled with its popularity, putting further strain on an already limited supply.

Verdict: Galway’s housing challenges are catching up to the capital cities, especially as demand keeps climbing.

Limerick: More Affordable, But Not Without Issues

Limerick remains one of the more affordable Irish cities for housing, but that doesn’t mean it’s without its problems.

• House prices are lower than those in Dublin, Cork, or Galway, making Limerick attractive to first-time buyers.
• However, areas like St. Mary’s Park are classified as “extremely disadvantaged”, highlighting persistent socioeconomic challenges.
• There are fewer rental listings, and quality can be inconsistent depending on the area.

Verdict: Limerick offers more affordable housing but faces deep-rooted inequality that limits access and upward mobility.

Which City Has It the Worst?

Here’s how Ireland’s major cities stack up in 2025:

Final Word

Ireland’s housing crisis is a national issue—but Dublin continues to bear the brunt. High demand, limited supply, homelessness, and rental inflation make it the most unaffordable city to live in.

Cork and Galway are closing the gap, each facing challenges around rising demand and low availability. Meanwhile, Limerick offers affordability, but faces its own issues with inequality and under-investment.

As policymakers look for long-term solutions, the pressure is on to build more affordable homes, improve quality, and invest in infrastructure that supports balanced regional growth.

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