Cost of Living in Cairo
Egypt
Comfortable budget (single)
$1,364/month
Range $862–$1,364/month
Last updated: 2026-03
Can you afford to live in Cairo?
Enter your monthly take-home in USD. We compare it to typical budgets for your household size (estimates, not financial advice).
Daily costs at a glance
Typical prices you'll pay in Cairo for everyday essentials.
Coffee
$1.5
flat white at cafe
Beer
$2.1
pint at pub
Lunch
$7
meal at inexpensive restaurant
Groceries
$170
single-person monthly groceries
Transport
$38
monthly pass
Gym
$18
monthly membership
Full cost breakdown
Colors show how each category compares to the global average of our 100 tracked cities.
| Category | USD/month | vs global |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, city center) | $646–$1,005 | ↓ -59% |
| Rent (1-bed, outside center) | $341–$538 | ↓ -59% |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, water) | $27–$52 | ↓ -59% |
| Internet & Mobile | $11–$18 | ↓ -59% |
| Groceries (monthly) | $136–$205 | ↓ -59% |
| Eating out (per meal, mid-range) | $18–$32 | ↓ -60% |
| Coffee | $1–$2 | ↓ -62% |
| Public transport (monthly pass) | $34–$41 | ↓ -59% |
| Gym membership | $13–$23 | ↓ -59% |
| Cinema ticket | $5–$6 | ↓ -61% |
Housing market
Rent vs buy snapshot for Cairo — useful if you're comparing long-term relocation options.
Rent (1-bed center)
$646–$1,005/mo
Buy center (per m²)
$3,070
Buy outside (per m²)
$1,690
Price-to-rent ratio
14×
Avg mortgage rate
17.0%
💰 Mortgage estimate: a 60 m² apartment in Cairo center at ~$3,070/m² with a 25y loan at 17.0% would cost roughly $2,648/month — compare that to the rent range above.
Local salaries (monthly net, USD)
Typical take-home in Cairo. A green badge means the salary covers at least 2.5× the max rent for a 1-bed in the center.
| Role | Monthly net | Covers rent? |
|---|---|---|
| Average net salary | $650 | ❌ No |
| Software engineer (mid) | $1,350 | ❌ No |
| Marketing manager | $950 | ❌ No |
| Teacher (secondary) | $600 | ❌ No |
| Nurse (RN) | $800 | ❌ No |
Local insider tips
Practical ways to cut costs that actually work in Cairo.
For convenient and affordable transportation, rely on ride-sharing apps like Careem or Uber throughout Cairo.
Purchase fresh produce and local delicacies at traditional markets such as Souk El-Goma'a for the best prices and experience.
Explore the Zamalek neighborhood for its upscale cafes, art galleries, and a more relaxed atmosphere popular with expatriates.
Budget scenarios
Single
$862–$1,364/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$1,005/mo
- Groceries: ~$205/mo
- Transport: ~$41/mo
Couple
$1,364–$2,082/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$1,005/mo
- Groceries: ~$205/mo
- Transport: ~$41/mo
Family
$1,974–$3,051/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$1,005/mo
- Groceries: ~$205/mo
- Transport: ~$41/mo
Neighbourhood guide
Cairo Center
CentralUrban core, transit access
Est. 1-bed rent: $808–$1,256/mo
Cairo Midtown
CentralMixed residential
Est. 1-bed rent: $711–$1,106/mo
Cairo Outer
SuburbanQuieter, family-friendly
Est. 1-bed rent: $517–$804/mo
Quality of life scores
Pros & cons
✅ Pros
- • History
- • Value
- • Strategic location
❌ Cons
- • Pollution
- • Traffic
Similar cities & cheaper alternatives
Compare Cairo with another city
Related articles
Cost of Living in Krakow 2026
Estimate your monthly budget for Krakow in 2026. See realistic cost ranges for rent, food, transport, and lifestyle expenses.
4/24/2026
Cost of Living in Miami 2026
Estimate your monthly budget for Miami in 2026. See realistic cost ranges for rent, food, transport, and lifestyle expenses.
4/23/2026
Cost of Living in Porto 2026
Estimate your monthly budget for Porto in 2026. See realistic cost ranges for rent, food, transport, and other lifestyle expenses.
4/22/2026
Estimates are for comparison only and do not constitute financial advice. Sources include our internal dataset and periodic third-party index updates.