Mayo among most affordable counties for first-time buyers

Mayo has been ranked among the most affordable places in Ireland for first-time buyers, according to new research from Switcher.ie, despite a sharp rise in the time it takes to save for a deposit nationwide.

The First Time Buyer Affordability Index 2026 shows that Mayo is the fifth most affordable county for joint buyers, with couples able to save for a mortgage deposit in approximately two years and five months.

This compares favourably to the national average of seven years and two months, which has increased significantly from four years and seven months last year.

The report highlights that Mayo joins counties such as Longford, Leitrim, Donegal and Roscommon among the most accessible areas for buyers entering the property market.

In Mayo, the median house price for first-time buyers is €255,000, with average annual earnings of just over €40,600 — a balance that helps shorten the time needed to save a deposit.

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However, while affordability remains relatively strong in the county, the report notes that saving for a deposit is taking longer across Ireland due to rising house prices and reduced savings rates.

Nationally, property prices increased by around 7% during 2025, contributing to longer saving periods for prospective homeowners.

The study also found a growing regional imbalance in housing supply. While Mayo and other more affordable counties offer quicker pathways to home ownership, they are seeing far fewer new housing developments.

Just 11% of new builds in 2025 were located in the ten most affordable regions — including Mayo — while 65% were concentrated in the most expensive areas, largely in and around Dublin.

This trend may limit access to government supports such as Help to Buy schemes, which are often tied to newly built homes.

In contrast, some parts of the country remain far out of reach for first-time buyers. In areas like Dún Laoghaire, it could take a couple more than 21 years to save for a deposit, highlighting the stark affordability gap.

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Switcher.ie noted that while lower house prices play a role in affordability, the relationship between income levels and property costs is equally important.

For Mayo, this balance continues to make the county one of the more attainable options for first-time buyers — particularly those willing to live outside major urban centres.