Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Egypt vs Tunisia
Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Egypt is approximately 16% cheaper than Tunisia overall, with a cost of living index of 22 vs 27 (NYC = 100 baseline, 2026 data). Egypt has notably lower rents (8% cheaper on the Rent Index). Food shopping in Egypt is around 12% cheaper. Local purchasing power is comparable.

Egypt is 16% cheaper than Tunisia overall
$3,000 budget in Tunisia = $2,507/mo in Egypt
Monthly saving ~$493/mo
Rent — Egypt vs Tunisia ~$220/mo vs ~$235/mo
World Bank 2026GlobalCostData Research Updated April 2026NYC Index = 100
🇪🇬
Egypt
22.4
CoL Index (NYC=100)
$269–$493/mo typical
Cheaper option
vs
🇹🇳
Tunisia
26.8
CoL Index (NYC=100)
$322–$590/mo typical
Cheaper country
Egypt
16% less expensive
Egypt GNI
$18.2k
per capita
Tunisia GNI
$14.2k
per capita
Egypt Inflation
28.3%
annual rate
Tunisia Inflation
7.2%
annual rate
Expat Score A
1.7
/ 10
Expat Score B
1.9
/ 10

Side-by-Side Comparison

All indices: NYC = 100 baseline · Lower cost index = cheaper · ✓ = winner per metric

Egypt Metric Tunisia
22.4 ✓
CoL Index ↓ lower = cheaper
26.8
6.8 ✓ ~$220/mo 1-bed city
Rent Index ↓ lower = cheaper
7.4 ~$235/mo 1-bed city
16.4 ✓ ~$70/mo monthly
Groceries ↓ lower = cheaper
18.6 ~$80/mo monthly
24.6 ✓ ~$5/meal per person
Restaurants ↓ lower = cheaper
26.4 ~$5/meal per person
$18.2k ✓
GNI / Capita ↑ higher = wealthier
$14.2k
28.3%
Inflation Rate ↓ lower = more stable
7.2% ✓
1.7
Expat Score ↑ higher = better
1.9 ✓
Cost of Living Comparison

Our Verdict: Egypt vs Tunisia

Egypt is significantly cheaper than Tunisia (16% overall). A $3,000 budget in Tunisia buys $2,507/month equivalent in Egypt — a saving of ~$493/month that compounds fast for long-stay expats.

Choose Egypt if…

  • Maximising day-to-day cost savings
  • Lower rent — housing ~8% cheaper than Tunisia
  • More affordable dining out

Choose Tunisia if…

  • More stable prices — lower inflation (7.2% vs 28.3%)
  • Lifestyle, climate, or visa pathway fits your profile
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Budget Equivalency Calculator

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Frequently Asked Questions

Egypt vs Tunisia cost of living

Is Egypt cheaper than Tunisia?
Yes, Egypt is approximately 16% cheaper than Tunisia based on the Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100). Egypt scores 22 vs Tunisia at 27 on the overall index. In absolute terms, average monthly rent is around $136 in Egypt versus $148 in Tunisia. Monthly grocery costs average $398 in Egypt and $303 in Tunisia. That said, actual daily costs depend heavily on your city of residence, housing choice, and lifestyle — capital cities in both countries command a significant premium over smaller regional cities.
How much cheaper is Egypt than Tunisia?
Egypt is about 16% cheaper than Tunisia overall. In practical terms, a $3,000/month budget in Tunisia is roughly equivalent to $2,507/month in Egypt in terms of purchasing power — a saving of $493/month. Similarly, a $2,000/month lifestyle in Tunisia translates to around $1,672/month in Egypt. Dining out in Egypt is approximately 7% more affordable (Restaurant Index: Egypt=25, Tunisia=26). These savings can compound significantly for long-term expats or retirees choosing Egypt as their base.
How do rent costs compare between Egypt and Tunisia?
Egypt has lower average housing costs based on the Rent Index (Egypt: 6.8, Tunisia: 7.4 — NYC = 100). In absolute terms, average monthly rent is around $136 in Egypt versus $148 in Tunisia. In both countries, city-centre apartments command a 30–50% premium over suburban equivalents. Expats consistently find the best rent-to-quality ratio by living 15–30 minutes from the city core. Local purchasing power is broadly similar.
Which country is better for expats, Egypt or Tunisia?
Both Egypt and Tunisia attract significant expat communities, but for different reasons. Tunisia edges ahead on our Expat Value Score (Egypt scores 1.7, Tunisia scores 1.9). Egypt offers lower day-to-day costs, which matters most for those on fixed incomes, remote salaries, or early retirement budgets. Egypt has a higher GNI per capita ($18.2k vs $14.2k) — meaning average incomes are higher, which partly offsets the cost differences for locals. Climate, language accessibility, visa pathways, healthcare quality, and expat community size are equally decisive factors — budget alone rarely determines the right choice.
Can I live comfortably in Egypt on $2,000/month?
With a cost of living index of 22 (NYC=100), Egypt allows a $2,000/month budget to stretch very comfortably. A frugal single-person lifestyle — shared or suburban housing, home cooking, local transport — typically costs $202–$402/month. A comfortable lifestyle with a private 1-bedroom, regular dining out, and leisure runs $403–$803/month. Inflation is currently lower in Tunisia (Egypt: 28.3%, Tunisia: 7.2%), which affects how purchasing power evolves over time. Expats from high-cost Western countries typically see their purchasing power increase significantly in Egypt, particularly outside capital cities.

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Sources: World Bank Open Data 2026 · GlobalCostData Research 2026 · OECD Statistics. Data verified April 2026. Not financial or legal advice.