Place profile · Bearna, Co. Galway

Is Bearna a good place to live?

Bearna, Co. Galway scores 68/100 for quality of life, #22 of the 108 Irish areas BuyerIQ ranks, and its fundamentals are rated “steady — moves with the market”. The median home sells for €378,855 (most €355,724–€568,282), it scores 61/100 for safety (60.1 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents), 1,187 people live here, down 3.1% since 2016. It's strongest on environment and transport & services.

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

Bearna is moving with the market.

Below average today — tracking the national trend — no strong local tailwind or headwind.

Unemployment fell 17% → 5% — faster than nationally Population fell 3.1% since 2016 Prices up 25.5%

Where Bearna sits.

Co. Galway.

14 min
drive to Galway

#22 of 108 for quality of life in Ireland.

68/100
#22 liveability#26 value
Environment88
Transport & services81
Affordability75
Family & community75
Safety61
Local economy55
Schools & education50

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 Bearna is #26 of 108 for value for money (most quality of life per euro).

Homes sell for €378,855.

€355,724€568,282
↑ +25.5%33.3% new-build69 sales / 2yr

Clean, green surrounds.

88/100
Environment score

Well connected.

81/100
Transport & services score

Affordable for its access.

75/100
Affordability score

Quiet and safe.

61/100
60.1/1,000 · Galway

The community here.

1,187 people, down 3.1% since 2016.

Who lives here.

28%
third-level
48%
professional
10.7%
unemployment
Affluence: below average

Mostly owner-occupied.

84.2% own8.7% rent4.4% social

Bearna: common questions

Is Bearna a good place to live?

Bearna, Co. Galway, scores 68/100 on BuyerIQ's Quality of Life composite (cost of living excluded) — #22 of the 108 areas we rank. It's strongest on environment and transport & services.

Is Bearna safe?

Bearna scores 61/100 on safety, ~60.1 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents.

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

The median sale price in Bearna over the last 24 months was €378,855, most between €355,724 and €568,282 (Property Price Register).

Is Bearna on the up?

Bearna is rated "Steady — moves with the market" — unemployment fell 17% → 5% — faster than nationally, population fell 3.1% since 2016, prices up 25.5%.

Are there new builds in Bearna?

About 33% of homes sold in Bearna in the last 24 months were new builds (Property Price Register).

Is there much new development or planning activity in Bearna?

15 planning applications were lodged within Bearna in the last 12 months, covering 12 residential units (101 on record) — measured per town, not just at county level.

Is Bearna good for families?

Bearna scores 75/100 for families and community.

What are the schools like in Bearna?

Bearna scores 50/100 for schools and education.

What is the commute like from Bearna?

Bearna is about 14 minutes by road from Galway.

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.