Cost of Living in Egypt
for Expats 2026

Cairo dominates Egypt's expat rental market, with upscale neighborhoods like Zamalek, Maadi, and Heliopolis commanding premium prices: 2-bedroom furnished apartments in these areas range from $350–$600/month. Down the Nile in Giza, similar accommodations run $250–$400. For budget-conscious expats, Downtown Cairo and Dokki neighborhoods offer 1-bedroom furnished flats for $180–$300/month. Alexandria, Egypt's Mediterranean coastal city, is notably cheaper: spacious 2-bedroom apartments run $200–$350, making it popular with retirees and remote workers. Unfurnished apartments across Cairo cost 20–30% less than furnished equivalents but require upfront investment in furniture and appliances. Utilities (electricity, water, internet) add $20–$50/month; air conditioning is essential in summer and significantly increases cooling bills. Most expat residences are secured through local real estate agents or Facebook groups; landlords often prefer cash or annual upfront payment.

Egypt's food costs are remarkably low when shopping locally. A kilogram of chicken costs $1.50–$2.50, bread is $0.10–$0.25 per loaf, and fresh vegetables at neighborhood markets run $0.30–$0.80 per pound. Local Egyptian cuisine—koshari (a rice-lentil-pasta dish), ful (fava bean paste), and fresh fish in Alexandria—typically costs $1–$3 per meal from street vendors or casual eateries. Imported goods from Carrefour or Spinneys supermarkets carry a 50–100% premium: a jar of peanut butter costs $4–$6, European cheese $5–$8. A family's monthly grocery bill for local staples runs $100–$150; adding regular imported items pushes it to $200–$250. Eating out at mid-range restaurants costs $3–$7 per person; Western restaurants and hotel dining can reach $15–$30. Street food remains iconic—ta'ameya (Egyptian falafel) and fresh-squeezed sugarcane juice are under $0.50 and a reliable budget option.

Cairo's public transportation is among the world's cheapest. Metro rides cost $0.05–$0.10, buses $0.03–$0.08, and shared microbuses (common throughout Egypt) roughly $0.15 per ride. A monthly metro pass is less than $2. Ride-sharing via Uber or local apps (Uber and CaremGo are available) costs $1–$3 for typical Cairo journeys; a 5 km trip is roughly $2–$3. Taxis are cheaper but negotiation is required (expect $2–$5 for a central Cairo journey); licensed white taxis offer meters but are slower. Car ownership involves 20–30% import duties, making used vehicles expensive to purchase, though fuel costs approximately $0.45 per liter—cheap by global standards. Many expats skip car ownership entirely and use Uber, taxis, or the expanding metro network. Long-distance travel: intercity buses (AC Coach, SuperJet) connect Cairo to Alexandria ($5–$8, 3 hours), Giza, and the Red Sea resorts. Domestic flights are inexpensive but often booked at a premium when last-minute.

Egypt has both public and private healthcare. The public system is heavily subsidized and minimal-cost but often overcrowded; expats typically use private clinics and hospitals. A private general practitioner consultation costs $15–$40; specialized appointments (cardiologist, dermatologist) run $30–$60. Private hospital stays in mid-range facilities cost $100–$200/night (room only); premium international hospitals in Maadi or Heliopolis charge $300–$500+/night. Dentistry is affordable: a routine cleaning is $10–$20, a crown $50–$100, root canal $40–$80. Prescription medications are inexpensive; common antibiotics cost $1–$3 per course. Most expats purchase comprehensive private health insurance (international or local) starting at $40–$100/month depending on age and coverage. The American University of Cairo Hospital and Dar Al-Shifa Hospital are popular with expats for quality and English-speaking staff. Pharmacies are ubiquitous and many operate 24 hours.