The first thing you may want to check when you are thinking about moving to a new city/country, is to find out the cost of living. Specially, when you moved with your own family.
So, Unless you want to fail in your experience abroad, make sure you know well about this topic!
The goal of this post, is giving you some information about all these costs in one single post, basically something I couldn’t find when I was thinking to move here.
When I moved to Cork with my family about 2 years ago, I had searched the web for information about cost of living in Cork, I found fuzzy information mainly about Dublin, not much about Cork, just a few bits here and there. I wish I had found a post like that at that time.
Let’s get to the point! The money you need to cover the monthly basics expenses for a family in Cork City is an estimated amount between 1434€ and 2025€.
When it comes to cost of living, there is no a magic figure and it will depend on multiple factors. The table below will list the main and basic expenses for a family, showing a min cost and a max cost. The figures are roughly made for a family between 3 and 5 members are based on our experience and the costs may vary depending on the lifestyle and priorities of each family.
| Expense Type | Expense Description | Min Monthly Cost | Max Monthly cost |
| House Rent (1) | Apto/House 2 to 3 Bedrooms | 900 | 1200 |
| Electricity Bill | Electricity Bill monthly average | 40 | 80 |
| Natural Gas Bill | Gas Bill monthly average | 60 | 90 |
| Internet Bill | Internet Bill | 40 | 60 |
| Food | Supermarket shopping cart | 300 | 500 |
| Car Insurance (2) | Car Insurance expense spread along the year | 35 | 45 |
| Car Taxes | Car taxes expenses spread along the year | 18 | 45 |
| TV License | Tv lincense expense 160€ spread along the year | 14 | 14 |
| Helth Expenses | We’ll assume 3 visits to the GP per year(150€). No hospital, no Emergencies 🙂 | 12.5€ | 12.5€ |
| Water Bill | 160€/year | 14€ | 14€ |
| TOTAL | 1434.5€ | 2024.5€ |
(1) The most realistic price range of house/aparment lettings in Cork is between 900€-1200€.
(2)I do have a car, but the most of the expats families that I know, don’t. Cork is a small city and you can live without a Car, a bike can be very handy if you are working in the suburbs. Petrol expenses are not included in the table.
** At the end of 2014 there will be a new utility bill for water 😦
*** Childcare services and creches for children under three years are not covered by the Education Deparment. They are private and expensive, half day ≈ 30 € 
Again this is not a scientific research, it’s just based on my own experience. I hope you find it useful!!
Cork Expats Families 
I am considering moving to Cork from USA. How much would you estimate total cost per month for all food including groceries and eating out? Our circumstances are that we are a married couple that only eats out 1-2 times per week at a pub. Otherwise, we eat in and little fast food.
I forgot to ask.. What is the deal with the TV license of 260 euros. Who do you pay for the license? Do you pay the cable company or government? Also, do you pay the TV license for each TV in the house.
Great website by the way! Very helpful!
Hi James thanks for your feedback about the web, I’m happy you find it useful!. Regarding tv license, cost is 160 and it should cover all tv sets at home! Anyway check that link it may answer your questions from an official source http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer_affairs/media/tv_licences.html.
I am considering moving to Cork from USA. How much would you estimate total cost per month for all food including groceries and eating out?
Hi James, the average cost of eating out in cork is (without including alcohol)
– For lunch between 7€-12€ euros the soup and sandwich deals in a pub or restaurant.
– For dinner 25-35 euros 3 courses meal per person
Average price of alcohol in a restaurant
– bottle of wine 22-26€
– Pint ~ 5€
– Glass of wine ~ 6€
Monthly Grocery expenses, it another story, it will depend on your habits, where you buy etc, so difficult to come out with a figure but think in about something between 400€-600€ per month at the supermarket.