Switcher.ie reveals Ireland's most affordable places for first time buyers as deposit saving time soars

The latest research by Switcher.ie has revealed the most affordable places for first-time buyers in Ireland. Our First Time Buyer Affordability Index 2026 shows the least and most attainable areas for joint buyers and sole buyers based on how long it would take to save for a deposit in each region.
For housebuyers starting to save this year, our calculations estimate that gathering a deposit could take longer than in previous years. This is due to people saving less and property price rises of typically around 7% throughout 2025, although projections will change year on year due to market and seasonal fluctuations.
The average time it takes for a couple to save for a mortgage deposit in Ireland is 7 years 2 months, up from 4 years 7 months last year.
Cork, Galway and Meath first-time buyers see deposit saving times almost double.
Longford is the most affordable place for first-time buyers, taking 2 years, 3 months to save for a deposit – up from one year, 7 months in 2025.
Dún Laoghaire is the least affordable place and could take up to 21 years, 3 months to raise a down payment, which is similar to last year.
Roscommon is most affordable for sole buyers. Saving for a deposit takes 3 years, 5 months. Whereas in Dún Laoghaire it could take a staggering 66 years, 5 months.
Longford, Leitrim, Donegal, Roscommon, Mayo, Cavan, Clare, Limerick City, Offaly and Monaghan are the 10 most affordable regions.
Dún Laoghaire, South Dublin, Galway City, Louth, Wicklow, Fingal, Dublin City, Meath, Kildare, and Cork County are the 10 least affordable places.
65% of Ireland's new builds were completed in the 10 most expensive regions during 2025, while the cheapest 10 areas only attracted 11% of new dwellings. This disadvantages first-time buyers who need to use Help to Buy schemes.
Find out how your region ranks and see the full Index at Ireland's most affordable places for first time buyers.
* Deposit saving calculations are based on median annual earnings, median property prices and household savings rates from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
For Joint Buyers
Top 5 most affordable places for joint buyers
Longford was the most affordable place for joint first-time buyers for the third year running. One of the cheapest places to buy a house, it would take just 2.3 years to save the minimum 10% deposit.
Leitrim, Donegal, Mayo, and Roscommon joined Longford in the top five most affordable counties for home buyers. To save a deposit in the shortest time, buyers should look to one of these counties or others at the top of our Affordability Index.
Couples earning the average salary in Leitrim could save for a mortgage deposit in two years and four months, in Donegal, Roscommon or Mayo, it could take two years and five months.
Our research showed that the most affordable places for first-time buyers were not necessarily the areas with the lowest house prices. Although cheaper property prices help, having a comparably higher income makes your mortgage more affordable, and deposits take less time to save. The income-to-house price ratio was around 1 to 3 in these areas.
Rank
RPPI Region
Median first time buyer house price
Median annual earnings
JOINT BUYERS
Years to save
1
Longford
€224,000
€38,857
2.3
2
Leitrim
€245,000
€41,162
2.4
3
Donegal
€225,000
€36,967
2.5
4
Roscommon
€260,000
€42,150
2.5
5
Mayo
€255,000
€40,657
2.5
Top 5 least affordable places for joint buyers
Unsurprisingly, areas in and around Dublin were the most out of reach for first-time buyers, with Dún Laoghaire the least affordable place for both joint and sole buyers.
Dún Laoghaire ranks as most out of reach for mortgage seekers, requiring a couple to save for a staggering 21 years and 3 months. South Dublin, Galway City, Louth and Wicklow follow at around 10 years, making them the most challenging regions for joint buyers.
The income-to-house-price ratio of over 1:5 makes buying in these desirable areas an impossible dream, even for most dual-income households without a ma...