Portlaoise vs Fermoy
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Fermoy is approximately 45% less expensive than Portlaoise based on cost of living including rent. This makes Fermoy a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Fermoy has a FIRE Score of 79/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 37.25, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Fermoy is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
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Portlaoise
Ireland
Fermoy
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Fermoy
Fermoy is a small-town play, not a city one, and the rent math punishes anyone who wants space: a 3-bedroom in the center runs $3,359/mo while the average local net salary is $1,680/mo. A single adult can live on the budget tier at $1,750/mo, but the Stamp 0 retirement route demands $4,350/mo in income, so retirees need serious independent means. With a safety index of 80/100, good healthcare, and Cork airport 36 km away, it suits remote workers and quiet-living expats who do not need a big expat crowd.
About Ireland
A city center 1BR at $1,776.90 a month rivals rents in Boston or DC, with no digital nomad visa available. Retirees need USD 4,350/mo proof of income, a real barrier at 20-40% progressive tax plus PRSI and USC. English fluency and a clear citizenship path help, but the math only works if your retirement income clears that bar comfortably.
Fermoy costs roughly 14% less than Portlaoise. Portlaoise scores significantly higher on safety — worth weighing against the cost gap. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Fermoy is approximately 45% less expensive than Portlaoise based on cost of living including rent. This makes Fermoy a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Fermoy has a FIRE Score of 79/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 37.25, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Fermoy is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Portlaoise
Portlaoise is a small town that punches above its weight for commuters, sitting just 6 km from Dublin Airport with a $45/mo transit pass and a solid 75/100 expat score. Rents are the catch: $1,234/mo for a one-bedroom city center flat against an average net salary of $2,837/mo leaves little slack, though moving outside the center drops that to $981/mo. The 75/100 safety score and 25/100 crime index make it genuinely comfortable, and Kilminchy and Maryborough Village give newcomers a soft landing. Skip it if you want big-city energy; take it if you want a quiet, well-connected base with good healthcare and English everywhere.
About Ireland
A city center 1BR at $1,776.90 a month rivals rents in Boston or DC, with no digital nomad visa available. Retirees need USD 4,350/mo proof of income, a real barrier at 20-40% progressive tax plus PRSI and USC. English fluency and a clear citizenship path help, but the math only works if your retirement income clears that bar comfortably.
$1,046/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Fermoy
Fermoy is a small-town play, not a city one, and the rent math punishes anyone who wants space: a 3-bedroom in the center runs $3,359/mo while the average local net salary is $1,680/mo. A single adult can live on the budget tier at $1,750/mo, but the Stamp 0 retirement route demands $4,350/mo in income, so retirees need serious independent means. With a safety index of 80/100, good healthcare, and Cork airport 36 km away, it suits remote workers and quiet-living expats who do not need a big expat crowd.
About Ireland
A city center 1BR at $1,776.90 a month rivals rents in Boston or DC, with no digital nomad visa available. Retirees need USD 4,350/mo proof of income, a real barrier at 20-40% progressive tax plus PRSI and USC. English fluency and a clear citizenship path help, but the math only works if your retirement income clears that bar comfortably.
$1,459/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Portlaoise | Fermoy |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1233.57 | $850 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $981.25 | $700 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $2317.61 | $3359.21 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $2130.71 | $2239.47 |
| Safety Index | 75 | 37.25 |
| Internet Speed | 50Mbps | 110Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Portlaoise | Fermoy |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $1,954/mo | $1,527/mo |
| Excluding rent | $973/mo | $827/mo |
| Rent | $981/mo | $700/mo |
| Groceries | $249/mo | $239/mo |
| Dining out | $224/mo | $123/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $136/mo | $131/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $319/mo | $334/mo |
| Transport | $45.00/mo | N/A |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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