Which Counties Are Getting More Expensive the Fastest? (2021–2025)
If you bought a house in Sligo in 2021, it's worth 64% more today. Bought in Wicklow? Just 12.5% more. We tracked 307,447 sales across all 26 counties from 2021 to 2025 to find out where prices are rising fastest — and the results might surprise you.
Nationally, the median price went from €256,000 to €353,000 — a 37.9% increase. But the county-level picture is wildly different.
The National Picture
Every single year from 2021 to 2025, the national median price climbed. It went from €256,000 to €353,000 — that's €97,000 more for the same typical house in just four years.
Based on 307,447 full-market-price sales, 2021–2025.
Every County Ranked: Fastest to Slowest
Here's the full league table. Sligo leads at 64.4% growth, driven by remote workers and its relatively low starting point. The top 10 are all counties that were relatively affordable in 2021 — they're catching up to the more expensive ones. At the bottom, Wicklow (12.5%) and Dublin (25.2%) grew the slowest in percentage terms — but they were already the most expensive to begin with.
Red = 50%+, Amber = 40–50%, Purple = 30–40%, Green = under 30%.
| # | County | 2021 Median | 2025 Median | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sligo | €148,449 | €244,000 | +€95,551 | +64.4% |
| 2 | Waterford | €181,000 | €290,000 | +€109,000 | +60.2% |
| 3 | Monaghan | €150,000 | €235,000 | +€85,000 | +56.7% |
| 4 | Limerick | €200,000 | €308,370 | +€108,370 | +54.2% |
| 5 | Roscommon | €128,500 | €198,000 | +€69,500 | +54.1% |
| 6 | Cavan | €155,000 | €237,000 | +€82,000 | +52.9% |
| 7 | Leitrim | €130,000 | €198,500 | +€68,500 | +52.7% |
| 8 | Clare | €190,000 | €290,000 | +€100,000 | +52.6% |
| 9 | Westmeath | €200,000 | €303,982 | +€103,982 | +52% |
| 10 | Tipperary | €165,000 | €250,000 | +€85,000 | +51.5% |
| 11 | Laois | €195,000 | €293,970 | +€98,970 | +50.8% |
| 12 | Louth | €220,000 | €330,000 | +€110,000 | +50% |
| 13 | Offaly | €180,000 | €265,000 | +€85,000 | +47.2% |
| 14 | Kilkenny | €215,000 | €313,375 | +€98,375 | +45.8% |
| 15 | Mayo | €150,000 | €215,000 | +€65,000 | +43.3% |
| 16 | Kerry | €190,000 | €272,000 | +€82,000 | +43.2% |
| 17 | Galway | €245,000 | €345,000 | +€100,000 | +40.8% |
| 18 | Longford | €125,000 | €175,000 | +€50,000 | +40% |
| 19 | Wexford | €205,000 | €285,000 | +€80,000 | +39% |
| 20 | Donegal | €130,000 | €180,000 | +€50,000 | +38.5% |
| 21 | Carlow | €190,000 | €263,000 | +€73,000 | +38.4% |
| 22 | Cork | €255,000 | €345,000 | +€90,000 | +35.3% |
| 23 | Meath | €277,533 | €374,449 | +€96,916 | +34.9% |
| 24 | Kildare | €303,965 | €400,000 | +€96,035 | +31.6% |
| 25 | Dublin | €375,000 | €469,558 | +€94,558 | +25.2% |
| 26 | Wicklow | €372,000 | €418,502 | +€46,502 | +12.5% |
The Convergence Story
Here's the really interesting bit. The gap between the cheapest and most expensive counties is actually narrowing. In 2021, Dublin's median was 3x Sligo's. By 2025, it's just 1.9x. The cheaper counties are racing to catch up — which is great if you already own there, but less great if you were banking on them staying affordable.
Sligo's steep climb vs Wicklow's flat line tells the convergence story clearly.
What's Your Equity Gain?
If you bought at the median price in 2021, here's what your home has gained in value. In absolute terms, Louth leads with €110,000 gained, despite Dublin having the highest prices. Percentage-wise, Sligo owners have seen the biggest windfall at 64.4%.
Based on median price change. Your actual gain depends on what you paid and your property's specific area.
What Does This Mean for Buyers?
The data tells a few important stories:
- The “cheap county” window is closing. Counties like Sligo, Waterford, and Limerick were genuine bargains in 2021. They're still more affordable than Dublin, but the gap is shrinking fast. If you're thinking about buying in these areas, sooner is better than later.
- Dublin and Wicklow are “maturing.” Lower percentage growth doesn't mean cheap — it means they were already expensive. Dublin added €94,558 in absolute terms, which is still more than the total price of a house in some counties.
- Remote work is reshaping the map. The fastest-rising counties (Sligo, Waterford, Monaghan) are all places where remote workers can get more house for less money. This trend shows no signs of slowing down.
- If you bought in 2021, well done. Even in the slowest-growing county (Wicklow), you've gained€46,502 in equity. In the fastest (Sligo), it's €95,551. The rising tide lifted all boats.
Past growth doesn't guarantee future returns — but the structural factors (housing supply shortage, population growth, remote work) suggest prices aren't coming down any time soon.
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