REVEALED: Tipperary named one of Ireland's most affordable places to buy a home

New research by Switcher.ie has revealed the most affordable places for first time buyers in Ireland, and Tipperary has come out in the top ten places.

The company has a 'Our First Time Buyer Affordability Index 2025' which 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 RPPI region.

The average time to save for a mortgage deposit in Ireland is 4.7 years, according to the study. 

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Tipperary came sixth for affordability, taking first time buyers an average 2.2 years to save for a deposit - down from 3.2 years last year.

Dún Laoghaire is the least affordable place and could take up to 21.4 years to raise a downpayment - down from 27.9 years last year.

Roscommon is most affordable for sole buyers purchasing an apartment. Saving for a deposit takes 1.8 years, although a sole apartment purchaser in Dún Laoghaire may well take 46.1 years.

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Longford, Leitrim, Donegal, Mayo, Roscommon, Tipperary, Limerick, Monaghan, Cavan, Sligo are the 10 most affordable counties - taking between 1.7 years and 2.4 years to save for a deposit.

Dún Laoghaire, Wicklow, South Dublin, Fingal, Louth, Dublin City, Galway City, Kildare, Meath and Waterford are the 10 least affordable places.

Due to higher wages and people saving more in 2024 relative to property price rises, the group's calculations showed that saving for a deposit is getting easier in most areas, although projections will change year on year due to market fluctuations.

63% of Ireland's new builds were completed in the 10 most expensive regions during 2024, while the cheapest 10 areas only attracted 11% of new dwellings. This disadvantages first-time buyers who need to use Help to Buy schemes.