Place profile · Ballyliffin, Co. Donegal

Is Ballyliffin a good place to live?

Ballyliffin, Co. Donegal scores 46/100 for quality of life, #106 of the 108 Irish areas BuyerIQ ranks, and its fundamentals are rated “on the up — emerging”. The median home sells for €184,000 (most €147,500–€225,092), it scores 71/100 for safety (44.8 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents), 479 people live here, up 39.7% since 2016. It's strongest on affordability and family & community, weakest on schools & education.

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

Ballyliffin is on the up.

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

Unemployment fell 21% → 10% — faster than nationally Population grew 39.7% — well above the national 8%

Where Ballyliffin sits.

Co. Donegal · 4 bus stops · no rail.

236 min
drive to Dublin

#106 of 108 for quality of life in Ireland.

46/100
#106 liveability#101 value
Affordability100
Family & community80
Safety71
Environment69
Transport & services22
Local economy19
Schools & education17

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 Ballyliffin is #101 of 108 for value for money (most quality of life per euro).

Homes sell for €184,000.

€147,500€225,092
-9.2%0% new-build12 sales / 2yr

Affordable for its access.

100/100
Affordability score

Good for families.

80/100
Family & community score

Clean, green surrounds.

69/100
Environment score

Quiet and safe.

71/100
44.8/1,000 · Donegal

A community that's growing.

479 people, up 39.7% since 2016.

Who lives here.

24%
third-level
27%
professional
15.5%
unemployment
Affluence: disadvantaged

Mostly owner-occupied.

81.6% own9.2% rent4.4% social

The honest trade-offs.

Local economy 19/100 Schools & education 17/100

Ballyliffin: common questions

Is Ballyliffin a good place to live?

Ballyliffin, Co. Donegal, scores 46/100 on BuyerIQ's Quality of Life composite (cost of living excluded) — #106 of the 108 areas we rank. It's strongest on affordability and family & community.

Is Ballyliffin safe?

Ballyliffin scores 71/100 on safety, ~44.8 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents.

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

The median sale price in Ballyliffin over the last 24 months was €184,000, most between €147,500 and €225,092 (Property Price Register).

Is Ballyliffin on the up?

Ballyliffin is rated "On the up — emerging" — unemployment fell 21% → 10% — faster than nationally, population grew 39.7% — well above the national 8%.

Are there new builds in Ballyliffin?

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

Is there much new development or planning activity in Ballyliffin?

11 planning applications were lodged within Ballyliffin in the last 12 months, covering 7 residential units (82 on record) — measured per town, not just at county level.

Is Ballyliffin good for families?

Ballyliffin scores 80/100 for families and community, and its population is growing (up 39.7% since 2016).

What are the schools like in Ballyliffin?

Ballyliffin scores 17/100 for schools and education.

What is the commute like from Ballyliffin?

Ballyliffin is about 236 minutes by road from Dublin.

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 August 2026.