Average Rent Of A Three-Bed In County Wicklow Is Up 6.1% Year-On-Year

Market rents are now one third higher than their pre-covid levels and two thirds higher than their Celtic Tiger peak in late 2007

Wicklow renters are continuing to feel the squeeze, as market rents across the county show some of the fastest increases outside the main cities.

New figures for the third quarter of 2025 show rents for a two-bedroom apartment in Wicklow now averaging just under €2,300 a month reflecting rising demand as more Dublin commuters move south.

Meanwhile also in The Garden County, the average rent of a three-bedroom house in the third quarter this year was €2,418, up 6.1% on a year ago.

Nationally, Dublin remains the most expensive, with average two-bedroom rents at €2,583, up 6.5% on last year.

Cork saw a 9.3% rise to just under €2,000, while Galway, Limerick and Waterford all recorded annual increases — Waterford topping the list with an 11.4% jump.

There were just over 1,900 homes available to rent nationwide on November 1st. This is down 21% year-on-year and less than half the average for the period 2015-2019. In Dublin, the stock of homes to rent is down by almost one third, year-on-year.

Housing advocates in Wicklow say the county’s popularity as a commuter base is driving prices beyond the reach of many local families, and are calling for more affordable housing options to ease the pressure.

Commenting, Ronan Lyons, Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin, said: 

“The picture remains unchanged – this is a market starved of supply. Rents are now one third higher than they were just over five years ago and indeed two thirds higher than their Celtic Tiger peak. The easing off of inflation – from over 13% in 2022 to 4.3% now – has been welcome. However, the sharp fall in availability of homes to rent suggests that any further pressure on rents over the coming quarters will be upwards. While it will take years, significant amounts of new rental supply – all around the country – are required to change conditions in the rental market.”