Place profile · Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny

Is Kilkenny a good place to live?

Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny scores 62/100 for quality of life, #44 of the 108 Irish areas BuyerIQ ranks, and its fundamentals are rated “steady — moves with the market”. The median home sells for €310,000 (most €233,000–€406,550), it scores 62/100 for safety (57.6 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents), 26,831 people live here, up 1.9% since 2016. It's strongest on affordability and family & community, weakest on schools & education.

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

Kilkenny is moving with the market.

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

Unemployment fell 15% → 10%, in line with nationally Population grew just 1.9% vs 8% nationally Recorded crime falling

Where Kilkenny sits.

Co. Kilkenny · 86 bus stops · 1 rail.

40 min
drive to Waterford

#44 of 108 for quality of life in Ireland.

62/100
#44 liveability#35 value
Affordability89
Family & community78
Environment77
Transport & services65
Safety62
Local economy49
Schools & education43

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 Kilkenny is #35 of 108 for value for money (most quality of life per euro).

Homes sell for €310,000.

€233,000€406,550
↑ +2.7%21.4% new-build1269 sales / 2yr

Affordable for its access.

89/100
Affordability score

Good for families.

78/100
Family & community score

Clean, green surrounds.

77/100
Environment score

Quiet and safe.

62/100
57.6/1,000 · Kilkenny/Carlow
Recorded crime falling

The community here.

26,831 people, up 1.9% since 2016.

Who lives here.

41%
third-level
37%
professional
12.3%
unemployment
Affluence: below average

A mix of owners and renters.

58.1% own25.3% rent13.9% social

The honest trade-offs.

Schools & education 43/100

Kilkenny: common questions

Is Kilkenny a good place to live?

Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny, scores 62/100 on BuyerIQ's Quality of Life composite (cost of living excluded) — #44 of the 108 areas we rank. It's strongest on affordability and family & community.

Is Kilkenny safe?

Kilkenny scores 62/100 on safety, ~57.6 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents.

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

The median sale price in Kilkenny over the last 24 months was €310,000, most between €233,000 and €406,550 (Property Price Register).

Is Kilkenny on the up?

Kilkenny is rated "Steady — moves with the market" — unemployment fell 15% → 10%, in line with nationally, population grew just 1.9% vs 8% nationally, recorded crime falling.

Are there new builds in Kilkenny?

About 21% of homes sold in Kilkenny in the last 24 months were new builds (Property Price Register).

Is there much new development or planning activity in Kilkenny?

162 planning applications were lodged within Kilkenny in the last 12 months, covering 107 residential units (1,104 on record) — measured per town, not just at county level.

Is Kilkenny good for families?

Kilkenny scores 78/100 for families and community, and its population is growing (up 1.9% since 2016).

What are the schools like in Kilkenny?

Kilkenny scores 43/100 for schools and education, with 17 schools in the area.

What is the commute like from Kilkenny?

Kilkenny is about 40 minutes by road from Waterford, with 1 rail stop nearby.

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.