Place profile · Ballybunion, Co. Kerry

Is Ballybunion a good place to live?

Ballybunion, Co. Kerry scores 66/100 for quality of life, #32 of the 108 Irish areas BuyerIQ ranks, and its fundamentals are rated “on the up — emerging”. The median home sells for €270,000 (most €189,000–€380,000), it scores 72/100 for safety (42.6 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents), 1,144 people live here, up 16.7% since 2016. It's strongest on affordability and transport & services, weakest on schools & education.

Updated July 2026 · Property Price Register + 20+ official sources, refreshed daily

Ballybunion is on the up.

Below average today — but the fundamentals are turning, faster than the national trend.

Unemployment fell 20% → 12% — faster than nationally Population grew 16.7% — well above the national 8% Recorded crime rising faster than the town is growing

Where Ballybunion sits.

Co. Kerry · 4 bus stops · no rail.

79 min
drive to Limerick

#32 of 108 for quality of life in Ireland.

66/100
#32 liveability#10 value
Affordability100
Transport & services89
Environment82
Family & community72
Safety72
Local economy52
Schools & education29

Ranked on quality of life alone — cost of living excluded, so the genuinely best areas rank top even though they cost more. Factor in price and Ballybunion is #10 of 108 for value for money (most quality of life per euro).

Homes sell for €270,000.

€189,000€380,000
0% new-build35 sales / 2yr

Affordable for its access.

100/100
Affordability score

Well connected.

89/100
Transport & services score

Clean, green surrounds.

82/100
Environment score

Quiet and safe.

72/100
42.6/1,000 · Kerry
Recorded crime rising faster than the town is growing

A community that's growing.

1,144 people, up 16.7% since 2016.

Who lives here.

33%
third-level
33%
professional
15.7%
unemployment
Affluence: below average

Mostly owner-occupied.

65.9% own12% rent15% social

The honest trade-offs.

Schools & education 29/100

Ballybunion: common questions

Is Ballybunion a good place to live?

Ballybunion, Co. Kerry, scores 66/100 on BuyerIQ's Quality of Life composite (cost of living excluded) — #32 of the 108 areas we rank. It's strongest on affordability and transport & services.

Is Ballybunion safe?

Ballybunion scores 72/100 on safety, ~42.6 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents.

How much does it cost to buy a house in Ballybunion?

The median sale price in Ballybunion over the last 24 months was €270,000, most between €189,000 and €380,000 (Property Price Register).

Is Ballybunion on the up?

Ballybunion is rated "On the up — emerging" — unemployment fell 20% → 12% — faster than nationally, population grew 16.7% — well above the national 8%, recorded crime rising faster than the town is growing.

Are there new builds in Ballybunion?

New builds are rare in Ballybunion — under 1% of recent sales (Property Price Register).

Is there much new development or planning activity in Ballybunion?

10 planning applications were lodged within Ballybunion in the last 12 months, covering 24 residential units (99 on record) — measured per town, not just at county level.

Is Ballybunion good for families?

Ballybunion scores 72/100 for families and community, and its population is growing (up 16.7% since 2016).

What are the schools like in Ballybunion?

Ballybunion scores 29/100 for schools and education, with 1 school in the area.

What is the commute like from Ballybunion?

Ballybunion is about 79 minutes by road from Limerick.

Sale prices from the Property Price Register (rolling 24 months). Quality of Life averages seven equal-weighted dimensions from 40+ metrics across 13 public datasets (CSO census + SAPS, Garda crime, SEAI, EPA, DES schools, GTFS). Population is CSO Census 2022; the “on the up” trajectory compares 2016→2022. Figures refresh daily · an area assessment, not advice on a specific property. Updated July 2026.