Moving to Galway in 2026
Ireland's cultural capital on the wild Atlantic coast. Smaller than Dublin or Cork, but with a quality of life that consistently surprises expats who choose it.
1. Why expats choose Galway
Galway is Ireland's third largest city, with a population of around 80,000 in the city itself. It is compact, walkable, and genuinely different in character from Dublin and Cork. The city has a strong Irish language tradition, a world-renowned arts festival (the Galway Arts Festival in July), and is the gateway to Connemara and the Wild Atlantic Way.
Despite its size, Galway has significant international employment. The city is a major hub for medical devices companies — Medtronic and Boston Scientific are among the largest employers. HP operates a European base here. The University of Galway (formerly NUI Galway) draws international academic and research staff.
Galway is cheaper than Dublin for rent and, to a lesser extent, Cork. It also has a housing shortage relative to demand, so the rental market remains competitive despite lower prices.
Galway weather: The west coast is wetter than Dublin or Cork. Galway averages over 1,100mm of rain per year. This is part of the landscape's appeal, but factor it into your expectations before moving.
2. Galway city areas
City centre / Latin Quarter
Galway's medieval centre. Narrow streets, pubs, independent shops, and street music. Rental accommodation here skews towards apartments and is in high demand among students and young professionals. Loud on weekends.
Salthill
Coastal suburb 3km west of the city centre. Popular with families. Walk-able promenade along Galway Bay. Good range of schools. Lively in summer. Slightly higher rents than equivalent inland areas.
Knocknacarra / Knocknacarra West
Predominantly residential western suburbs. Family-friendly. Good primary school options. Close to Medtronic's campus. A car is useful for getting into the city centre.
Renmore / Doughiska (east)
Eastern city suburbs with newer housing developments. Close to Boston Scientific and other IDA business parks east of the city. More affordable than Salthill. Good bus routes into town.
3. Rent in Galway 2026
| Property type | Galway city avg/month |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bed | €1,300–€1,600 |
| 2-bedroom apartment | €1,700–€2,100 |
| 3-bedroom house | €1,900–€2,400 |
Source: RTB Rent Index Q4 2025.
Galway city is in a Rent Pressure Zone. Despite lower headline rents than Dublin, the Galway rental market is tight. Supply has not kept pace with demand from students, medical device workers, and a growing young professional population.
4. Commuter towns around Galway
Galway has a commuter rail line running east from Ceannt Station, serving towns in east Galway county. Bus connections extend to a broader range of towns.
Athenry — 25 minutes by train
Medieval walled town on the Galway–Dublin rail line. Lower rents than Galway city. Growing residential development. Regular train services make it viable for hybrid workers.
Loughrea — 30 minutes by bus
South Galway town on Lough Rea. Strong primary school options, local GAA and community scene. Significantly lower rents than Galway city. Bus-dependent commute.
Tuam — 35 minutes by bus
North Galway market town. Most affordable of the Galway commuter options. Slower-paced, strong community, lower school competition than city schools.
5. Life in Galway: what to expect
Galway is a city with an outsized personality. The Galway Arts Festival in July is one of Europe's largest, drawing international theatre, music, and visual arts to the city for two weeks. The Galway Races in late July/early August bring a different kind of energy entirely.
The city has a strong pub culture and live music scene, particularly on Quay Street and in the Latin Quarter. The weekly Galway Market (Saturdays) and Saturday Farmers Market are central to local life.
Beyond the city, Connemara begins almost immediately to the west. The Twelve Bens mountains, Connemara National Park, and the Aran Islands are within an hour. For outdoor-focused families and individuals, Galway's location is exceptional.
Galway is also a bilingual city in a Gaeltacht-adjacent region. You will encounter Irish on signage, in some businesses, and in conversation in the city. It is not a barrier — English is universal — but it adds to the cultural richness of the place.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Galway a good place to live as an expat?
- Galway consistently ranks among Ireland's most liveable cities. It is compact, friendly, culturally rich, and set on the Atlantic coast. The medical device sector provides strong international employment. The main drawbacks are a tight housing market and wetter weather than other Irish cities.
- How expensive is Galway compared to Dublin?
- Rent in Galway is roughly 25–30% lower than Dublin. A 2-bed apartment in Galway averages €1,700–€2,100/month versus €2,400–€2,900 in Dublin. Day-to-day living costs (groceries, restaurants, transport) are broadly similar.
- What industries employ expats in Galway?
- Medical devices (Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Abbott), information technology (HP, Cisco), finance, and the University of Galway (academic and research roles). The IDA Galway Business and Technology Park east of the city hosts many multinational employers.