Private rents in Dublin remain expensive, with studio and one-bedroom apartments costing thousands of euro a month in some areas. Cost-rental homes offer a lower-priced alternative for eligible households, but availability is limited
Finding a rental home in Dublin can be expensive, particularly for people looking for a self-contained studio or apartment. Asking rents vary by location, property size, condition and facilities, leaving tenants to balance their housing needs against what they can afford each month.
Figures supplied for this market overview put advertised studio rents in central Dublin at approximately €1,800 to €2,475 a month. One-bedroom apartments range from around €1,850 to €3,111, while two-bedroom apartments can cost between €1,990 and €4,500.
These are indicative asking-rent ranges rather than official averages. Actual prices depend on the property and its location, and advertised rents can change as homes enter or leave the market.
How much does it cost to rent in Dublin?
The indicative price ranges show the monthly costs tenants may encounter when searching for different types of accommodation.
| Property type | Indicative monthly asking rent |
|---|---|
| Studio apartment | €1,800–€2,475 |
| One-bedroom apartment | €1,850–€3,111 |
| Two-bedroom apartment | €1,990–€4,500 |
The figures illustrate the potential cost of renting an entire apartment, rather than a room in a shared house. Tenants should compare properties in similar locations and check whether additional costs, such as utilities or parking, are included.
Location can make a substantial difference. Apartments in central areas and newer developments may command higher rents, while properties farther from the city centre can offer different price points. Energy efficiency, transport links and the facilities available in a development can also influence the overall value of a rental home.
People searching for accommodation can check current advertisements on Daft.ie and Rent.ie. Advertised prices should be checked directly because listings and availability change.
Official figures show the cost of entering Dublin’s rental market
Advertised prices are not the same as average rents recorded across registered tenancies. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) publish a quarterly Rent Index based on registered tenancy data.
Their latest available report for the first quarter of 2026 put the standardised average monthly rent for a new tenancy in Dublin at €2,335, an annual increase of 7.8%. For existing tenancies in Dublin, the standardised average was €1,960, up 3.6% over the year. These figures cover different properties and are not specific to studios or one-bedroom apartments. https://www.esri.ie/publications/the-rtb-rent-index-q1-2026
The difference between new and existing tenancies matters for people trying to move. A household already renting may pay less on average than someone entering a new tenancy, although individual rents depend on the property and the circumstances of the tenancy.
The figures also show why tenants should distinguish between an official rental-market average and the price of a particular home advertised online. An average provides a broad picture of the market, while a listing shows the asking price for one property at a particular time.
Cost-rental homes offer a lower-priced alternative
Private-market rents are not the only option available to every household. The Land Development Agency (LDA) provides cost-rental homes designed to offer rents below market levels in the areas where the developments are located.
Under the scheme, rents are based on the cost of building, managing and maintaining the homes. Applicants must meet eligibility conditions, including income limits, household-size requirements and affordability criteria. https://lda.ie/homes/lda-cost-rental
The LDA’s current Woodbrook development in Shankill, Dublin 18, offers one-bedroom apartments for €1,495 per month, two-bedroom apartments for €1,665 and two-bedroom duplex apartments for €1,750. Applications are due to close at noon on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, according to the agency’s published information. Availability and eligibility should be checked on the official scheme page. https://lda.ie/homes/lda-cost-rental/woodbrook-shankill-dublin-18
The development is close to the planned Woodbrook DART station and has connections to local bus services and the wider road network. However, the advertised rents do not mean every applicant will receive a home: applicants must satisfy the conditions and follow the LDA’s application process.
Cookstown Gateway in Dublin 24 has also advertised cost-rental apartments, with rents previously starting at €1,017 per month for studios, €1,250 for one-bedroom apartments and €1,529 for two-bedroom apartments on one published offer. Registrations for that offer are closed, so those prices should not be treated as proof that homes are currently available. https://lda.ie/homes/lda-cost-rental/cookstown-gateway-cookstown-dublin-24-6
Who can apply for cost-rental housing?
The LDA says applicants for its cost-rental homes must meet a number of conditions. These include having net household income below €66,000 a year in Dublin, not owning a property in Ireland or elsewhere, not receiving social housing supports such as the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) or Rent Supplement, and meeting the occupancy requirements for the advertised home.
Affordability is also assessed. The LDA states that the rent should not exceed 35% of the household’s net income. Applicants may need to provide supporting documents if selected to progress through the process. Requirements and income conditions should be checked for each individual scheme before applying. https://lda.ie/homes/lda-cost-rental/
Cost rental is therefore not a general discount available to anyone searching for a cheaper apartment. It is a specific housing option for eligible households, and applications depend on which developments are being advertised and whether registrations remain open.
Where can tenants check current rental options?
People looking for a home can use the following resources:
- Daft.ie: Search private rental listings across Ireland, including Dublin.
- Rent.ie: Browse houses and apartments advertised for rent in Dublin.
- LDA Cost Rental: Check current and upcoming cost-rental schemes, advertised rents, eligibility conditions and application deadlines.
- RTB/ESRI Rent Index: Compare official rental-market trends for new and existing tenancies.
Tenants should confirm the monthly rent, deposit, included facilities, utility costs, transport options and application requirements before committing to a property.
The cost of finding a home
Dublin’s rental market presents different challenges depending on the size of home a household needs and where it can live. Indicative asking rents show that a private studio or apartment can require a substantial monthly budget, while official figures confirm that the average cost of starting a new tenancy in Dublin remains above the average for existing tenancies.
Cost-rental homes can provide a lower-priced alternative for eligible applicants, but their availability is tied to specific developments and application windows. For tenants searching now, checking live private listings alongside the LDA’s current schemes is one way to compare the options available.
This article distinguishes indicative asking-rent ranges from official RTB/ESRI averages. Private listings and cost-rental availability can change; readers should check the linked sources for the latest information.
