You’ll typically need about 15,000 EGP/month to live comfortably in Cairo; single-person budgets average ~17,900 EGP/month excluding rent, while a family of four often spends ~62,900 EGP/month (excluding rent). Rent varies widely—one-bed city-center units run around 10,900 EGP, while desirable three-beds reach 30,000–45,000 EGP. Utilities and internet add ~1,800 EGP, transport is low-cost, and private healthcare or international schools raise expenses further—keep going to see detailed breakdowns and examples.

Monthly Living Expenses and Typical Budgets in Egypt

Although costs vary by city and lifestyle, you can use recent estimates to build a clear monthly budget for Egypt: a family of four typically spends about $1,137.30 (62,932.2 EGP) excluding rent, while a single person averages roughly $322.80 (17,863.6 EGP) excluding rent.

A typical monthly budget in Egypt: about $1,137 for a family, $323 for a single person (excluding rent)

You should treat these estimated monthly costs as baselines for the cost of living, then layer in housing and discretionary spending. Monthly expenses for basic utilities in an 85m2 apartment average about 1,207.09 EGP, and internet services add roughly 631.00 EGP, so you’ll want to include those fixed items.

In Cairo, reported salaries often fall below suggested needs, and analysts recommend at least 15,000 EGP monthly to avoid financial strain.

For expats, rent in Cairo is substantially cheaper than many global cities—about 94.3% lower than New York—so you’ll often allocate a greater share of your budget to lifestyle choices and schooling than to housing compared with comparable international locations.

Housing and Rental Prices Across Major Cities

Housing costs in Egypt vary widely by city and neighborhood, but they’re generally far lower than in Western metros: for example, a one‑bedroom in Alexandria’s Smouha goes for about $220, while Cairo’s city‑center one‑bed average is roughly 10,901 EGP.

Desirable three‑bed units in Cairo commonly rent for 30,000–45,000 EGP per month. You’ll find rental prices for two‑bedroom apartments in Alexandria range from $180–$600, showing neighborhood variability.

Overall rents run about 86.3% lower than the UK, which makes Egypt attractive for expats seeking affordable housing. Many expats choose furnished apartments and long‑term leases to reduce upfront costs and secure lower monthly rates.

Use the following to guide decisions and budget projections:

1. Compare neighborhoods: city center Cairo vs Alexandria suburbs for one‑bedroom apartment and two‑bedroom apartments pricing.
2. Lease strategy: long‑term leases often cut monthly rental prices; furnished apartments raise convenience but can increase rent slightly.
3. Family sizing: expect three‑bed demand in Cairo to push rents into the 30,000–45,000 EGP band.

Food, Groceries and Dining Out Costs

Eating and grocery costs in Egypt stay noticeably lower than in many Western countries. You can expect a mid‑range meal for two to run about 800 EGP (typical range 500–2,000 EGP) while inexpensive restaurant options hover around 200 EGP (100–350 EGP).

You’ll find food and dining out broadly affordable: a domestic beer averages ~70 EGP (50–200 EGP), and street food delivers low-cost meals that cut dining expenses further.

For monthly groceries, staples remain inexpensive — milk (1L) ~47.46 EGP, a 500g white bread loaf ~28.39 EGP — so basic monthly grocery spend stays reasonable compared with Western norms.

Local markets supply fresh produce at competitive prices, letting you prioritize quality without large cost increases. If you mix home cooking with occasional restaurant meals, you can model various budgets precisely: estimate monthly groceries plus a few dining‑out instances to forecast total food spending.

Transportation, Utilities and Communication Expenses

After accounting for food costs, you’ll next want to quantify transport, utilities and communication expenses, which often make up a steady monthly slice of your budget.

You’ll see transportation and utilities drive predictable recurring costs: public transportation one-way tickets run about 10.00 EGP, and a monthly pass is roughly 300.00 EGP, while taxi fares start at 20.00 EGP with ~13.50 EGP/km. If you own a car, gasoline cost near 47.95 EGP/gallon materially increases outlays.

1. Monthly transit: monthly pass ~300.00 EGP; average expenses depend on commute mode (public transportation vs taxi vs private car).
2. Basic utilities: electricity, water and gas for a ~915 sq ft apartment average 786.85 EGP/month — budget this as fixed housing overhead.
3. Communication: internet service averages 631.00 EGP for advertised 60 Mbps (real-world speeds often ≤30 Mbps), so factor service quality into your communication costs.

Use these figures to model likely monthly cash flow and sensitivity to gasoline cost and taxi fares.

Healthcare, Education and Insurance Costs

Because public care is largely free but often low quality, you’ll likely pay out-of-pocket or buy private services for roughly 75% of procedures, so budget accordingly; expect international school tuition in Cairo to run $1,800–$13,000/year while higher-education fees typically fall between $1,000–$6,000/year.

Public care is cheap but often poor-quality; expect to pay privately for ~75% of procedures and budget school fees accordingly.

You should treat healthcare and education as predictable line items in your monthly budget: private healthcare visits and procedures will dominate costs if you avoid public healthcare. Expats commonly purchase international health insurance to access private hospitals and mitigate catastrophic expenses; plan premiums and deductibles into cash-flow forecasts.

For families, international schools inflate tuition fees relative to free local schools, so compare curricula, transport, and extracurriculars when calculating annual schooling costs. Higher-education fees vary by institution and program, so verify total program costs.

Use scenario-based budgeting (routine care, one major treatment, full family schooling) to estimate realistic monthly and annual allocations. Track actual spending quarterly and adjust insurance coverage or schooling choices to control long-term cost risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can US Citizens Live in Egypt?

Yes—you can live in Egypt if you meet visa requirements. You’ll weigh housing options, job opportunities, transportation systems, cost of healthcare, safety concerns, language barriers, cultural differences, local cuisine, and expat communities for informed planning.

How Much Is Rent in Egypt per Month?

You’ll pay roughly 6,800–10,900 EGP for cheap apartments or city center one‑beds, 30,000–45,000 EGP for luxury housing three‑beds; factor suburban living, utilities cost, furnished rentals, lease agreements, property market, neighborhood prices, expat accommodations.

What Is the Average Salary in Egypt?

You’ll find the average income about 7,075 EGP monthly, though expatriate salaries and high-skilled pay (~41,100 EGP) shift salary trends; analyze job opportunities, employment sectors, cost comparison, living expenses, currency exchange, purchasing power, economic factors.

Is 100 USD a Lot in Egypt?

Yes — 100 USD gives you strong purchasing power in Egypt; with favorable currency exchange and low local prices you can cover daily expenses, budget travel, some utilities, and lifestyle choices, aiding expat experiences, financial planning, and economic factors.

Conclusion

Living in Egypt can be very affordable if you plan carefully: average monthly budgets range from $400–$1,200 depending on city and lifestyle. Rent dominates costs, with Cairo and Alexandria pricier than smaller cities. Food and transport are generally low, while private healthcare, international schools, and insurance add noticeable expenses. Track utilities and communication, factor occasional medical or schooling bills, and you’ll find your budget stretches—like a well-tuned instrument—when data guides your choices.