New analysis shows houses are affordable for single workers in just seven of the 26 counties.
A person on a median income and a 20 percent deposit can only buy a home in Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo.
The stats compared median salary against the median price for a house.
The median is the midpoint of a group of numbers. For example, out of three digits: 10, 20 and 50. 20 is the middle number, so it’s the median.
A person on the median wage in Ireland could afford a house worth €185,000, well below the actual median house price of €260,000.
The estimated maximum mortgage for someone earning the median wage and with a 20 per cent deposit in Cavan is €146,188 and in Monaghan is €141,311, based on CSO median wage stats.
Meanwhile, the actual median house price in Cavan is €145,000 and in Monaghan is €151,000 based on the CSO property price index as of December 2020.
Kieran McQuinn, a research professor at the ESRI, says the market is biased towards couples.
Experts say Ireland’s new housing supply is expected to fall short of what’s needed for several more years, which could make buying a home even more difficult.
