A NEW survey from Switcher.ie has revealed Tralee remains one of Ireland’s six cheapest student towns, despite recording the steepest accommodation increase in the study.
According to Switcher, in 2026, students in Tralee could spend €15,960 over the academic year, 4% or €643 more than in 2025, and €872 or 6% more than in 2023.
Tralee remains Ireland’s sixth-cheapest student town, costing €198 less than the national average and €4,030 less than Dublin over the academic year.
Continued below…
Tralee recorded the third-largest overall increase in the study, behind Limerick and Galway, with students spending around €71 more per month in 2026.
Accommodation averages €655 per month, after annual rent costs rose by around €501, the steepest increase in the study.
Tralee has the cheapest grocery basket in the study, averaging €181 per month.
Rising living costs continue to weigh heavily on Ireland’s students, with accommodation, utilities and everyday expenses pushing the price of college higher again.
Switcher.ie’s Student Cost of Living Guide 2026 reveals the cheapest and most expensive places to study, the biggest price rises in each town and how much students may need to budget for the academic year ahead.
To show how costs have changed over a typical four-year degree, the study also compares 2026 expenses with 2023, when many students now entering their final year began college.
Tralee remains the sixth-cheapest place to study in the rankings, with average costs reaching €1,496 per month, or €15,960 over the academic year.
Overall, students could now spend an average of €16,158 going to college in 2026, around €479 more than in 2025cand €1,060 more than in 2023.
Accommodation remains one of the biggest costs facing students, with average annual rent up €183 on last year and €547 since 2023.
Students in private accommodation also pay around €976 more per year than those living on campus.
The heftiest increase was recorded in Tralee, followed by Cork, Dundalk and Sligo, largely due to higher prices at private student accommodation providers.
Rent averages €655 per month in Tralee, after annual accommodation costs rose by around €501, the steepest increase in the study. However, the country’s cheapest grocery costs help soften some of the impact.
Letterkenny, Sligo, Dundalk, Waterford, Athlone and Tralee were Ireland’s six cheapest student towns in 2026.
Tralee holds sixth place in the affordability table, helped by the lowest grocery costs in the country. Letterkenny and Sligo lead the rankings, while Dundalk, Waterford and Athlone also offer comparatively good value.
Students in Tralee benefit from groceries averaging just €181 per month, while socialising costs remain among the lower figures in the study at €353 per month.
To see the full results of the survey, click here.
