Place profile · Sligo, Co. Sligo

Is Sligo a good place to live?

Sligo, Co. Sligo scores 66/100 for quality of life, #29 of the 108 Irish areas BuyerIQ ranks, and its fundamentals are rated “on the up — emerging”. The median home sells for €245,000 (most €175,000–€330,396), it scores 75/100 for safety (37.3 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents), 19,522 people live here, up 8% since 2016. It's strongest on affordability and environment.

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

Sligo is on the up.

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

↓ Unemployment fell 20% → 11% — faster than nationally↑ Prices up 10.8%

Where Sligo sits.

Co. Sligo · 83 bus stops · 1 rail.

122 min
drive to Galway

#29 of 108 for quality of life in Ireland.

66/100
#29 liveability#10 value
Affordability100
Environment82
Family & community75
Safety75
Transport & services69
Schools & education52
Local economy45

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 Sligo is #10 of 108 for value for money (most quality of life per euro).

Homes sell for €245,000.

€175,000€330,396
↑ +10.8%6.4% new-build1217 sales / 2yr
€€

Affordable for its access.

100/100
Affordability score

Clean, green surrounds.

82/100
Environment score

Good for families.

75/100
Family & community score

Quiet and safe.

75/100
37.3/1,000 · Sligo/Leitrim

A community that's growing.

19,522 people, up 8% since 2016.

Who lives here.

40%
third-level
32%
professional
11.4%
unemployment
Affluence: below average

A mix of owners and renters.

50.4% own30% rent15.3% social

For sale in Sligo right now.

Get a full report on any Sligo property →

Compare with nearby towns.

Sligo vs BallymoteSligo vs CollooneySligo vs TubbercurrySligo vs BallisodareSligo vs StrandhillSligo vs InniscroneIs Ballymote a good place to live?Is Collooney a good place to live?Is Tubbercurry a good place to live?Is Ballisodare a good place to live?

Sligo: common questions

Is Sligo a good place to live?

Sligo, Co. Sligo, scores 66/100 on BuyerIQ's Quality of Life composite (cost of living excluded) — #29 of the 108 areas we rank. It's strongest on affordability and environment.

Is Sligo safe?

Sligo scores 75/100 on safety, ~37.3 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents.

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

The median sale price in Sligo over the last 24 months was €245,000, most between €175,000 and €330,396 (Property Price Register).

Is Sligo on the up?

Sligo is rated "On the up — emerging" — unemployment fell 20% → 11% — faster than nationally, prices up 10.8%.

Are there new builds in Sligo?

About 6% of homes sold in Sligo in the last 24 months were new builds (Property Price Register).

Is there much new development or planning activity in Sligo?

74 planning applications were lodged within Sligo in the last 12 months, covering 32 residential units (551 on record) — measured per town, not just at county level.

Is Sligo good for families?

Sligo scores 75/100 for families and community, and its population is growing (up 8% since 2016).

What are the schools like in Sligo?

Sligo scores 52/100 for schools and education, with 8 schools in the area.

What is the commute like from Sligo?

Sligo is about 122 minutes by road from Galway, 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.