Annual property price growth slows to 5.1% in August: CSO

In August, annual house price growth slowed to 5.1%, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO). This marked the lowest rate in over two and a half years. The CSO's Residential Property Price Index (RPPI) recorded a 5.1% increase in home prices over the past year, down from 5.4% the previous month. This decline also made it the lowest annual rise since December 2023, when property-price inflation stood at 4.1%.

Dublin saw a 3.9% rise in property prices, while areas outside the capital experienced a 6.2% increase. The region outside Dublin with the highest growth was the border area, encompassing Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, and Sligo, with a 9.1% increase.

As of August 2026, the Residential Property Price Index outside of Dublin was more than three times higher than in May 2013, when it hit its lowest point since the series began in 2005. The median price of a home purchased in the 12 months to August was €400,000, with the highest median price in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown at €685,000 and the lowest in Longford at €199,000.

The most expensive Eircode was A41 in Ballyboughal, Dublin, with a median price of €865,000, while the cheapest Eircode was F45 in Castlerea, Roscommon, where the median price was €160,000.

Trevor Grant, chairperson of the Association of Irish Mortgage Advisors, noted that while house price growth has slowed, it is still on the rise. He emphasized that in numerous areas, annual house price inflation exceeds the national average of 5.1%, particularly in Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, and Sligo. This high rate of housing inflation has led to locals being priced out of their home towns, causing significant frustration.

Grant expressed optimism that Budget 2027 measures aimed at boosting housing affordability and increasing housing supply may provide more hope for prospective buyers.