Cost of Living Comparison Between Cork and EnnisCost of Living Comparison Between Cork and Ennis
Monthly Cost of Living
😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,269 in Cork versus $2,472 in Ennis.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,577 in Cork versus $3,472 in Ennis.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,885 in Cork versus $4,472 in Ennis.
🌍Living in Cork is roughly 32% more expensive than in Ennis, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Cork142% above, Ennis83% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cork
Ennis
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$22.95€20.39
$17.20€15.28
33.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$90.3€80.2
$81.1€72.0
11.40%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.02€11.57
$11.24€9.98
15.84%
Cappuccino
$4.47€3.97
$4.30€3.82
3.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.03€2.69
$2.37€2.10
27.85%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17€1.93
$1.64€1.46
32.32%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.24€6.44
$6.69€5.95
8.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.64€6.78
$6.62€5.88
15.41%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cork
Ennis
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.73€1.54
$1.31€1.17
32.06%
White Bread(500g)
$2.29€2.03
$1.97€1.75
16.24%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.88€1.67
$1.74€1.55
8.05%
Eggs
$4.70€4.17
$4.18€3.71
12.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.46€12.84
$6.71€5.96
115.50%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.26€11.78
$11.20€9.95
18.39%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.18€15.26
$16.55€14.70
3.81%
Apples(1kg)
$3.20€2.84
$1.16€1.03
175.86%
Banana(1kg)
$2.98€2.65
$1.61€1.43
85.09%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.43€3.05
$2.85€2.54
20.35%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.72€4.19
$5.57€4.94
-15.26%
Potato(1kg)
$2.38€2.11
$1.97€1.75
20.81%
Onion(1kg)
$1.83€1.62
$1.50€1.33
22.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.42€1.26
$1.37€1.21
3.65%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.15€1.91
$1.99€1.77
8.04%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$20.19€17.93
$21.51€19.10
-6.14%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.44€11.94
$13.56€12.05
-0.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.17€3.71
$3.44€3.05
21.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.67€3.26
$3.51€3.12
4.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Cork
Ennis
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.61€1.43
$2.28€2.02
-29.39%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$78.8€70.0
$82.3€73.1
-4.22%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.14€4.56
$5.17€4.60
-0.58%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.49€1.32
$1.49€1.32
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$33.29€29.57
$38.87€34.52
-14.36%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.16€1.92
$1.89€1.68
14.29%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.4K€35.0K
$38.6K€34.3K
1.89%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.7K€34.4K
$38.5K€34.2K
0.55%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cork
Ennis
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$244€217
$267€237
-8.36%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.98€19.53
$17.22€15.30
27.64%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$55.5€49.29
$39.50€35.09
40.48%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cork
Ennis
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$53.5€47.51
$58.1€51.6
-7.89%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.43€13.71
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.67€12.14
$15.93€14.15
-14.19%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cork
Ennis
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,093€971
$1,348€1,197
-18.87%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,555€4,935
$5,511€4,896
0.80%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cork
Ennis
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$98.0€87.0
$109€96.7
-10.03%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.04€38.24
$52.4€46.53
-17.85%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$105€93.6
$116€103
-9.51%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€108
$125€111
-2.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cork
Ennis
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,235€1,985
$1,330€1,181
68.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,856€1,648
$1,126€1,001
64.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,276€2,910
$2,283€2,028
43.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,804€2,491
$1,544€1,372
81.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,935€4,384
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,100€2,753
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cork
Ennis
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,867€3,435
$3,636€3,230
6.36%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.14
3.81
8.66%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Cork: September 29, 2026
Last update for Ennis: September 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,235 in Cork and $1,330 in Ennis. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Cork pays 6% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $90.0 in Cork vs $81.0 in Ennis for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $396 vs $327 per month, with Ennis cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Cork vs Ennis: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Cork and in Ennis?
Cork and Ennis differ by about 32% in total monthly costs ($3,269 vs $2,472 including rent). Ennis is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Cork or Ennis?
Average pay runs 6% higher in Cork, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Cork and in Ennis?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,235 in Cork versus $1,330 in Ennis. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 21% higher in Cork. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Ennis – a meal for two runs $81.0 versus $90.0 in Cork. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,500 per month?
At $2,472 in Ennis versus $3,269 in Cork, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Ennis but tight or insufficient in Cork. The gap between the two cities makes Ennis the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Cork and Ennis?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Cork or Ennis safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Cork and Ennis are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Cork or Ennis?
Expats usually find Ennis gentler on the wallet – expenses run 32% less than in Cork. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.