Place profile · Sneem, Co. Kerry

Is Sneem a good place to live?

Sneem, Co. Kerry scores 67/100 for quality of life, #26 of the 108 Irish areas BuyerIQ ranks, and its fundamentals are rated “steady — moves with the market”. The median home sells for €233,480 (most €165,000–€265,000), it scores 72/100 for safety (42.6 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents), 386 people live here, up 17.7% since 2016. It's strongest on affordability and transport & services, weakest on schools & education.

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

Sneem is moving with the market.

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

Unemployment rose 6% → 9% — lagging the national fall Third-level education up only 0 points — behind the national rise Population grew 17.7% — well above the national 8% Prices up 55.9%

Where Sneem sits.

Co. Kerry · 2 bus stops · no rail.

104 min
drive to Cork

#26 of 108 for quality of life in Ireland.

67/100
#26 liveability#18 value
Affordability89
Transport & services89
Environment82
Family & community78
Safety72
Local economy42
Schools & education41

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 Sneem is #18 of 108 for value for money (most quality of life per euro).

Homes sell for €233,480.

€165,000€265,000
↑ +55.9%75% new-build47 sales / 2yr

Affordable for its access.

89/100
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

A community that's growing.

386 people, up 17.7% since 2016.

Who lives here.

39%
third-level
37%
professional
9.4%
unemployment
Affluence: below average

Mostly owner-occupied.

61.7% own14.9% rent13.7% social

The honest trade-offs.

Local economy 42/100 Schools & education 41/100

Sneem: common questions

Is Sneem a good place to live?

Sneem, Co. Kerry, scores 67/100 on BuyerIQ's Quality of Life composite (cost of living excluded) — #26 of the 108 areas we rank. It's strongest on affordability and transport & services.

Is Sneem safe?

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

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

The median sale price in Sneem over the last 24 months was €233,480, most between €165,000 and €265,000 (Property Price Register).

Is Sneem on the up?

Sneem is rated "Steady — moves with the market" — unemployment rose 6% → 9% — lagging the national fall, third-level education up only 0 points — behind the national rise, population grew 17.7% — well above the national 8%, prices up 55.9%.

Are there new builds in Sneem?

About 75% of homes sold in Sneem in the last 24 months were new builds (Property Price Register).

Is there much new development or planning activity in Sneem?

7 planning applications were lodged within Sneem in the last 12 months (39 on record) — measured per town, not just at county level.

Is Sneem good for families?

Sneem scores 78/100 for families and community, and its population is growing (up 17.7% since 2016).

What are the schools like in Sneem?

Sneem scores 41/100 for schools and education, with 1 school in the area.

What is the commute like from Sneem?

Sneem is about 104 minutes by road from Cork.

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.