Moving to Galway? 2025 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Galway is a small, vibrant cosmopolitan city on the west coast of Ireland, where the River Corrib meets the Atlantic Ocean. The city is home to the 18th-century Eyre Square, offering plenty of local history.

If you are considering moving to Galway, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in the City of the Tribes.

Quick Galway Facts:

Population: 79,934 (2020 estimate) in Galway City and a total of 250,653 living in Galway County.
Official Language: English (de facto) with many other languages being spoken in the city, including Irish, Polish, French, Lithuanian, Romanian, Chinese and many others.
GDP Per Capita: $40,100 USD (2020)
Irish language: Nearly 10% of the population of Galway speaks Irish.
Currency: Euro (EUR). As of 2024, £1 = €1.20, $1 USD = €0.89, $1 CAD = €0.66, $1 AUD = €0.61

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Galway

The table below shows the estimated cost of hiring a 20- or 40-foot container from some of the largest global cities, and shipping it to Galway:

Origin City	20FT	40FT
Beijing	$2,600 - $2,700	$4,700 - $4,900
Berlin	$2,100 - $2,200	$3,700 - $3,900
Chicago	$2,400 - $2,500	$4,300 - $4,500
Chongqing	$2,800 - $2,900	$5,000 - $5,200
Delhi	$2,750 - $2,850	$4,900 - $5,100
Dubai	$2,900 - $3,000	$5,100 - $5,300
Houston	$2,500 - $2,600	$4,400 - $4,600
Los Angeles	$2,400 - $2,500	$4,200 - $4,400
Madrid	$2,000 - $2,100	$3,600 - $3,800
New York City	$2,300 - $2,400	$4,200 - $4,400
Paris	$2,050 - $2,150	$3,700 - $3,900
Phoenix	$2,450 - $2,550	$4,300 - $4,500
Rome	$2,050 - $2,150	$3,700 - $3,900
Shanghai	$2,700 - $2,800	$4,800 - $5,000
Sydney	$3,100 - $3,200	$5,400 - $5,600
Toronto	$2,450 - $2,550	$4,300 - $4,500
Vancouver	$2,500 - $2,600	$4,400 - $4,600
Vienna	$2,100 - $2,200	$3,700 - $3,900

All figures are in USD;
The rates above are estimates only and may have changed since the time this article was updated (October 2024). They are based on the lowest estimated rate sites such as Freightos, Flexport, or Maersk;
To get a more accurate idea of the cost for you, please use the quote form at the top of this page;
Please also see our guide to international container shipping.

2. Galway Housing Costs

Property purchase prices and rentals are very affordable in Galway.

Monthly Rental Prices in Galway:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: €1,330+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: €1,050+
3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: €2,150+
3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: €1,650+

Galway Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: €3,810+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: €3,330+

Galway Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in Galway compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 44.1% more expensive
New York is 62.4% more expensive
Los Angeles is 48.8% more expensive
Toronto is 21.7% more expensive
Vancouver is 27% more expensive
Cape Town is 100.9% cheaper
Sydney is 32% more expensive
Melbourne is 5.1% more expensive
Paris is 13.1% more expensive
Dubai is 23.9% more expensive

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

Share a Flat or House: Galway has a range of housing from large detached properties to studio apartments. There are many opportunities for houses or flat shares. With a house share you will have your own room, or, for a cheaper option, you can share a room. The bathroom/s will be shared with other people in the house. There are many flats available for shared rental as well. Have a look at Daft and Rent and find someone you can get on with to share the costs with you.
Different Areas – Different Prices: The recently-redeveloped Eyre Square has a good selection of townhouses and apartments for those who want to be near the centre of Galway, with its restaurants and nightlife. Prices on the east side of the city tend to be lower that on the west. The east side has a lot of industry and new housing estates. Many people choose to live in the east to avoid the rush hour traffic which builds up for those crossing the bridge from the west. Recommended areas in the east are Clare, Galway, Oranmore Athenry or Clarinbridge. Knocknacarra, Salthill, Barna and Moycullen are good areas in the west of the city of Galway.

3.Galway Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Galway has an excellent selection of restaurants, pubs and food stores.

Inexpensive Restaurant: €77.50
Takeout Coffee: €3.60 – €4.00
Bottle of Coke: €1.50 – €2.00
1L of Milk: €1.30 – €1.50
Loaf of Bread: €1.50
12 Eggs: €3.00
1kg Chicken: €7.50
1kg Beef: €10.50
1kg Apples: €2.20 – €2.50
1kg White Rice: €1.25

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

New York restaurants are 31.7% more expensive and groceries are 43.7% more expensive than Galway.
Los Angeles restaurants are 24.2% more expensive and groceries are 26.9% more expensive than Galway.
London restaurants are 13.8% more expensive and groceries are 2.4% cheaper than Galway.
Toronto restaurants are 9.5% cheaper and groceries are 15.9% cheaper than Galway.
Vancouver restaurants are 5% more expensive and groceries are 19.4% more expensive than Galway.
Cape Town restaurants are 113.9% cheaper and groceries are 97.9% cheaper than Galway.
Sydney restaurants are 9.1% cheaper and groceries are 26.8% more expensive than Galway.
Melbourne restaurants are 7.7% cheaper and groceries are 28.1% more expensive than Galway.
Paris restaurants are 2.1% more expensive and groceries are 25% more expensive than Galway.
Dubai restaurants are 4.8% more expensive and groceries are 15.5% cheaper than Galway.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

Know Your Supermarkets: Galway has a selection of supermarkets and food stores to suit every income level. Tesco and Supervalu are popular for basic foods. Morton’s of Galway is more expensive, but has a wide variety of fresh foods. There are a number of independent grocers and health shops which sell organic foods, and some excellent fishmongers. Galway’s best-known farmers’ market is staged by St. Nicholas Church, and is very popular.
Find Cheap Eats: Trip Advisor, Galway Tourism and Yelp all have their own guides to cheap eats in Galway, which include everything from traditional Irish stew to oysters.

4. Galway Alcohol Costs

Galway is known for its restaurant scene, pubs and clubs. The following is a list of basic prices of beer and wine from the supermarket and restaurants.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: €5.50
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: €5.00
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: €3.00
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: €3.00
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: €10.00

How To Drink For Less in Galway:

Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
Galway has many pubs and bars which offer cheap drinks at various times of the day and week. Have a look at the following sites to see which ones suit your mood and pocket – Yelp, Yelp Happy Hour and Trip Advisor.

5. Galway Transportation Fares

Galway’s public transportation system consists of buses and trains. Galway Transport provides information on routes and fares for both bus companies (Bus Éireann and Galway City Direct) and Irish Rail.

Here are some example ticket costs.

Adult single – €2.40
One day ticket for bus and train – €5.50
Monthly season ticket for bus and train – €60.00

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

Buy a Leap Card and your fares will be up to 50% cheaper
Buy a bike. Cycling around the city is certainly an option
Walk. The city is not that big, and exercise is always good

6. Cost of Internet in Galway

Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads:

Virgin Media: €44.00 per month for the first four months, then €70.00 a month for the next eight months (12-month contract)

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

The hottest month in Galway is July, with an average temperature of 16°C. February is the coldest month, where the average temperature is only 6°C. The wettest month is February, where an average of 95.9mm of rain falls during the month.

Like most places in this part of the world, rain is always a possibility, so it’s wise to carry an umbrella or a fold-up waterproof jacket.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: €60.00
Summer Dress: €30.00
Running Shoes (Trainers): €75.00
Business Shoes: €75.00
Short Doctor’s visit (15 mins): €55
Deodorant: €3.50
Shampoo: €5.00
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): €2.00
Gym Membership: €45.00
Movie (cinema) Ticket: €12.25

Source: Numbeo and Expatistan

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Galway

Everyone in Ireland drives on the left. Driving in Galway is fine but the traffic congestion during rush hour is unusually heavy for the size of the city, especially if you are travelling from the west of Galway, over the bridge and into the city centre.

If you’re moving to Galway from within the EU, you’ll be able to exchange our licence. There are also other countries that are on the list for reciprocal exchange. You can drive on a foreign licence for 12 months before you need to get an Irish licence. If you are not from an EU country or your country is not on the list, then you will need to take a driving test after 12 months.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Galway:

Volkswagen Golf: €27,450+
1 litre (¼ gallon) of gas (petrol): €1.85
Registration Fee (if any): Vehicle Registration Tax depends on the size and age of the vehicle.
Other Fees (if any): Motor tax is determined on the basis of the CO2 emissions of the vehicle.

Source: Expatistan, Gov.ie

Ways To Save Money on Driving in Galway:

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Carpoolworld, Share Your Ride and Car Sharing.
Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber.

9. Taxes in Galway

No matter where you live in Eire, you will pay the same rate of tax. To learn more, go to the government’s website.

Sales Tax, or VAT (Value Added Tax) is 23% in Ireland and is added to most goods and services throughout the country. Unlike in some countries, it is always included in the marked price.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to Local Property Tax based on the value of the property. Learn more about LPT in Galway at Revenue.ie.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in Galway you’ll have to pay stamp duty. There are various rules and concessions which apply but generally, you pay 1% of property value up to €1,000,000 and 2% thereafter.

10. Flight Costs from Galway

If you do make the move to Galway, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023. Most people choose to fly from Dublin.

New York: €300
Los Angeles: €500
Toronto: €450
Vancouver: €450
London: €20
Dubai: €300
Sydney: €650
Melbourne: €600
Cape Town: €430
Hong Kong: €450

Other Tips on Moving to Galway:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Galway but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Galway Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be rather daunting. Here are a few tips about settling into Galway.

Meetups: Galway has lots of free meetup groups you can find on Meetup. Join Workbench Wednesday, Galway Bay Yoga, StartupBlink, Galway City Sailing Club and many more.
Attend Local Events: There’s always something going on in Galway. To find out what, have a look at the following sites: This is Galway, Galway Tourism, Trip Advisor and Eventbrite.

12. Moving to Galway with a Family

Galway may be a small city but it’s a friendly environment in which to bring up kids. It has beaches, sailing, the countryside and the city. Here’s some extra food for thought.

New Parents (or parents to be): Check out Cuidiu.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: Salthill is popular with families and tourists alike. It has large houses with big gardens and is close to schools and the beach. Knocknacarra, Salthill, Barna and Moycullen are good areas in the west of Galway and they have a variety of housing which is suitable for families.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: Family Fun, Galway Tourism, Day Out with the Kids and This is Galway all have great ideas for activities and events your kids will love.

13. Moving to Galway for Work

Moving to Galway for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move.

HP, IBM, Boston Scientific, Covidien and Medtronic are just a handful of the multinationals that have set up home in Galway. Galway is also well known as a city of start-ups. The hospitality and tourism industries are well-represented in the city. There’s also possible employment in hospitality and tourism, education and retail.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale.
How to Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Galway, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Jobs, Indeed, Irish Jobs, Monster and Recruit Ireland. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Galway from Australia

There are a few Aussies living and working in Galway. If you are thinking of joining them, here are a few added tips:

Size Comparison: If you compare the size of the population of Galway with a city in Australia, you’d be looking at Bunbury in Western Austalia.
Join Expat Groups: Both InterNations and IrelandAustralia offer ways of meeting up with other Australians in Galway.

15. Moving to Galway from Canada

There are a few Canadians living and working in Galway. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

Size: Galway City’s population is the same as Fort McMurray in Canada.
Expat Groups: To meet up with fellow Canadians living in Galway, have a look at the following sites – InterNations and Irish Canadian Society.

16. Moving to Galway from the United States

There are a few Americans living the Galway. If you want to join them, here are a few bonus tips:

Size: If you compare the size of the population of Galway with a city in the States you’d be looking at Union City, California.
Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Americans will help you settle in Galway quicker. Have a look at the following sites to find like souls – InterNations and Meetup.

17. Moving to Galway from the United Kingdom

There’s a relatively large group of Brits living and working in Galway. If you are going to join them, here are a few things to consider:

Size: If you look at the population of Galway and compare it with a city in the UK, you’d be looking at Brentwood, Essex.
Expat Groups: If you’d like to meet people from home, then have a look at the following sites for British expat groups – Expat.com and Internations.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Galway you can start by comparing moving quotes here.