Living in Kells, Co. Meath: Schools, Commute & House Prices 2026
Property Price Register sales to 23 October 2026, CSO RPPI to August 2026, RTB rents to Q4 2025. How we compute these figures
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Is Kells a nice place to live?
Kells is home to about 2,412 households, 60% owner-occupied and 34% renting, according to Census 2022. The median sale price over the last 12 months was €372,000, versus €420,001 across the Mid-East region, and the average rent reported by the RTB is €1,295 a month. There are 10 visitor attractions within 10 km. The nearest rail station is Enfield, 34.8 km away. The sections below break each of these down.
Who lives in Kells
6,608 people live in Kells on Census 2022 night. 60% of households own their home and 34% rent, so Kells leans towards owner occupiers. The most common way to commute is by car (60%). It skews young: 21% are under 15 against 14% aged 65 and over. 31% of those who have finished education hold a third level qualification.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022) | 6,608 |
| Owner-occupied households | 60% |
| Rented households | 34% |
| Aged under 15 | 21% |
| Aged 25 to 44 | 26% |
Show all 12 rows (7 more)
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Aged 65 and over | 14% |
| Third level or higher | 31% |
| At work (aged 15+) | 52% |
| Unemployment rate | 9% |
| Commute by car | 60% |
| Commute by public transport | 12% |
| Commute on foot or bike | 22% |
Source: CSO Census 2022 Small Area Population Statistics for the Kells built-up area, CC-BY 4.0.
Commuting to Dublin
Nearest train station: Enfield (34.8 km away), on the Maynooth and Sligo lines
Schools in Kells
There are 8 primary and 2 post-primary schools in and around Kells.
| School | Level | Pupils | DEIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eureka Secondary School | Post-primary | 759 | |
| St Ciaran'S Community School | Post-primary | 597 | |
| Scoil Cholmcille | Primary | 352 | |
| Our Lady Of Mercy Ns | Primary | 313 | |
| Carnaross N S | Primary | 178 |
Show all 10 rows (5 more)
| School | Level | Pupils | DEIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| S N Muire | Primary | 165 | |
| S N Caitriona Naofa | Primary | 149 | |
| S N Bhrighde | Primary | 111 | |
| Drumbarragh N S | Primary | 83 | |
| Kells Parochial N S | Primary | 52 |
Source: Department of Education, Data on Individual Schools. CC-BY 4.0.
Things to do in and around Kells
- Heritage nearby: Loughcrew Megalithic Cemetery (16 km) · Bective Abbey (20 km) · Trim Castle (20 km) · Fore (24 km)
- Walking trails in County Meath: Royal Canal Way · Royal Canal Greenway Walking Trail · Drewstown Woods - Girley Bog walk · Littlewood - Forest Walk
Where Kells is
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors
What it costs: house prices and rent in Kells
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The median sale in Kells in the 12 months to 23 October 2026 was €372,000, up 7.8 per cent on the year before, from 163 recorded sales. A typical rent is €1,295 a month as of Q4 2025, a gross yield of 4.2 per cent. The eight most recent sales on the register ran from €220,000 to €455,000.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Median sale price (12 months) | €372,000 (+7.8% YoY) |
| Recorded sales (12 months) | 163 |
| New build / second-hand median | €439,963 / €332,000 |
| Meath median (CSO) | €420,001 |
| Average monthly rent (Q4 2025) | €1,295 |
| Gross rental yield | 4.2% (est. 3.2% net) |
Looking for individual sale addresses? See the full Kells house prices & recent PPR sales register →
Each point is the median of that calendar year's open-market sales on the Property Price Register. 2026 is a part year, covering the 135 sales recorded to 23 October 2026. Over the 12 months to 23 October 2026 the median was €372,000.
What a month in Kells costs
Real figures for Kells: RTB average rent and an ownership estimate built on the median sale price. Adjust the mortgage rate and deposit and it recalculates instantly.
Average rent by size: 2 bed €1,236 · 3 bed €1,345
Rent: RTB average monthly rents (RIQ02), Q4 2025. Ownership: repayment mortgage on Kells's median Property Price Register sale price over 30 years, plus Revenue's 2026 LPT band charge divided by 12. Excludes utilities, insurance, management fees and council LPT adjustments. Illustrative, not financial advice.
Run your own numbers for Kells
Mortgage affordability in Kells (Central Bank 4x / 3.5x rules)
What can you afford to buy in Kells?
Pre-filled with Kells's median price. Adjust the income and deposit and it recalculates instantly.
Assumes 4x gross income for a first-time buyer or 3.5x otherwise, plus your deposit, with no minimum deposit applied (the Central Bank's 10% floor can cap the price lower; the affordability calculator applies it), and a 3.7% rate over 30 years unless you change them.
Central Bank of Ireland mortgage measures (since Jan 2023): first-time buyers can borrow up to 4x gross income, movers and second or subsequent buyers up to 3.5x, both with a minimum 10% deposit. Figures are illustrative, not financial advice.
Stamp duty & buyer fees on €372,000
Stamp duty on a Kells property
Pre-filled with Kells's median price. Change the purchase price, tick new build if it applies, and see your stamp duty and total cost instantly.
Irish residential stamp duty (rates in force since 2 October 2024): 1% on the first €1,000,000; 2% from €1,000,000 to €1,500,000; 6% on any amount above €1,500,000. New builds: duty is charged on the price net of 13.5% VAT. Figures are illustrative, not legal or financial advice.
Local Property Tax (LPT) band & Co. Meath adjustment
Local Property Tax for a Kells home
Pre-filled with Kells's median price. Uses the 2026 Revenue valuation bands (valuation date: 1 November 2025) and your local authority's 2026 adjustment factor.
Revenue LPT 2026-2030 band table and Local Adjustment Factors (source: revenue.ie). Each local authority can vary the base charge by up to 15%. Figures are illustrative; verify at Revenue's LPT service for your exact property.
Buy-to-let gross & net rental yield calculator
Could a home in Kells pay as a buy-to-let?
Pre-filled with Kells's median price and average rent (RTB Q4 2025). Change any figure and it recalculates instantly.
Illustrative. Assumes ~18% of rent for management, insurance and voids; 25-year mortgage on the borrowed share; ~4% acquisition costs. Not financial advice.
March 2026 rent review cap calculator (2% or CPI)
Rent cap calculator for Kells
Pre-filled with Kells's average rent (RTB). From 1 March 2026 all private tenancies in Ireland are covered by national rent control: for a standard tenancy the annual increase is capped at 2% or CPI inflation, whichever is lower. This computes the 2% leg as an illustrative cap.
No figure for this tenancy type: it follows CPI with no 2% cap and this widget holds no CPI series. Use the official RTB Rent Calculator.
Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2025; national rent control from 1 March 2026 (source: rtb.ie). Illustrative, not legal advice: if CPI is below 2% the lawful ceiling is lower, and the RTB Rent Calculator at rtb.ie is the official tool.
Recent development in Kells
In the 12 months to October 2026, 66 planning grants were recorded in and around Kells, including 47 new homes approved across those grants.
| Decided | Development | Homes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-08-13 | The development will consist of the erection of 9 number 2 bed single storey age friendly dwellings, comprising 8 semi-detached houses and 1 detached... | 9 |
| 2026-10-23 | the development will consist of the erection of 6 number 4 bed semi-detached dwellings, Permission also sought for site entrance onto public road... | 6 |
| 2026-03-20 | File Ref: 211348 - the development will consist of the following: (A) to construct a two storied type dwelling house and a detached domestic garage... | 2 |
| 2026-03-20 | File Ref: 21566 - the development will consist of the following: (A) To construct a storey and a half type dwelling house and a detached domestic... | 2 |
| 2026-03-09 | File Ref: 212091 - the development will consist of constructing a single storied dwelling house and a detached domestic garage, installing a... | 2 |
Source: Irish Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (ArcGIS, CC-BY 4.0). Granted applications keyed to the nearest town within 7 km. Homes column shows residential units in the application where recorded.
What this means: The 47 homes approved here in the last year are about 2% of Kells's roughly 2,412 households, a supply pipeline that typically eases price pressure.
Flood maps
For the modelled fluvial, coastal and pluvial flood extents around Kells, open the official OPW flood maps, the authoritative source for Kells, Meath.
View the official OPW flood maps for Kells →
Source: Office of Public Works, floodinfo.ie. No OPW flood-extent values are reproduced here.
County context
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022 Census) | 220,826 |
| Population change 2016 to 2022 | +13.2% |
| Disposable income per person (index, State = 100) | 98.4 |
| New dwelling permissions (Mid-East region, 2017) | 657 thousand m² |
Planning permissions are reported at NUTS3 region level; counties in this region share a figure.
Sources: CSO F1001, CIA02, BHQ09. CC-BY 4.0.
Nearby Meath towns
Dunboyne · Ashbourne · Dunshaughlin · Ratoath · Stamullen · Clonee
All Meath house prices · All Leinster house prices
Sources: CSO Census 2022, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland, Property Price Register (PSRA), CSO RPPI, RTB via CSO. CC-BY. Figures verifiable at the official source.
Common questions about living in Kells
What's it like to live in Kells?
Kells is a town in Co. Meath, about 58 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 10 schools, 60.4% of households own their home (CSO Census 2022, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland).
What is the median house price in Kells?
The median sale in Kells in the 12 months to 23 October 2026 was €372,000, up 7.8 per cent on the year before, from 163 recorded sales.
Are house prices in Kells rising or falling?
House prices in Kells are up 7.8 per cent on the year before, on median Property Price Register sales over the 12 months to 23 October 2026.
How long is the commute from Kells to Dublin?
About 58 minutes to Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, estimated.
What schools are in Kells?
Schools in Kells include Eureka Secondary School, St Ciaran'S Community School, Scoil Cholmcille, Our Lady Of Mercy Ns, among 8 primary and 2 post-primary in total (Department of Education, 2024/25).
More on Kells
- Kells house prices: median, year trend and the latest sales recorded on the Property Price Register.
- Things to do in Kells: attractions, heritage sites and walks nearby.
- What's on in Co. Meath: festivals, markets and gigs, grouped by week and refreshed every Monday.
- Planning applications in Co. Meath: what has been lodged, granted and refused in the last 12 months.