Average Weekly Spend

Border region has the lowest weekly spend according to Household Budget Survey

Figures released by the Central Statistics office show that border region is the cheapest area to live in terms of average weekly spend. The results of the Household Budget Survey indicate that the average weekly spend in the border region is €696.35, the national figure is €845.12. The most expensive region in the country to live is the Dublin region with a spend of €950 weekly.

The new figures show that Irish homes are spending nearly 5% more weekly compared with the same time five years ago. The survey examines expenditure on food, alcohol and tobacco, clothing and footwear, fuel and light, housing, household durables and non durables, transport and miscellaneous goods services and other expenditure. Nationally expenditure on alcohol and tobacco has decreased, and spending on housing has risen by nearly 10% since 2000.

The border region is comprised of counties Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Louth, Donegal and Sligo. The area has the lowest spend in almost all categories with the exception of transport where Dublin and the South-West show a lower spend. The higher spend on transport is connected with car payments due to lower availability of public transport. The spend on housing in the border region is €119 per week compared with €224 in Dublin.

Nationally the proportion of weekly spend on food has shown a steady decline of 13% over the past thirty years down to 14.6%. Households in the border region spend €60 less per week on holidays and other miscellaneous goods and services than the national average.