COST OF LIVING 2026

Cost of Living in Egypt

A comfortable mid-range life in Egypt costs about $1,100/month — 55% cheaper than the global average. Here's the full breakdown.

Egypt is dirt-cheap after recent currency devaluations — $1,000/month goes far in Cairo or Dahab. Dahab on the Sinai is a long-running nomad/scuba hub with a tight expat community. Choose your base carefully; Cairo is intense.

$1,100
Mid-Range Monthly
$300
1BR Rent (Center)
$14
Mid-Range Meal
28
Cost Index (NYC=100)

Monthly Budget by Lifestyle Tier

Three lifestyle tiers for Egypt — shared dorms and street food at the low end, a private apartment and nice restaurants in the middle, full-service luxury at the top.

🎒 Backpacker$600/mo
🏠 Mid-Range$1,100/mo
💎 Luxury$2,800/mo

Full Cost Breakdown

🏠 Rent: 1BR, city center$300
🏠 Rent: 1BR, outside center$180
🍽️ Inexpensive meal$3
🍽️ Mid-range meal (2 people, 3 courses)$14
🍺 Local beer (0.5L)$2
☕ Cappuccino$2
🚇 Monthly transit pass$18
🚕 Taxi start$0.6
📶 Average internet speed70 Mbps
🛡️ Safety score5.5/10
💱 CurrencyEGP (£)

✅ What's great

  • One of the cheapest countries on Earth post-EGP devaluation
  • Pharaonic history at your doorstep
  • Dahab is a beloved nomad/diver hub
  • Warm winters

⚠️ What to know

  • Cairo air pollution and traffic
  • Tourist hassle outside Dahab/Sahel
  • Banking/USD access can be tricky
  • Heat and crowding in summer

Practical Info

🛂 Visa
Visa-on-arrival or e-visa for most ($25); no nomad visa
☀️ Best Months
October–April
📍 Top Destinations
Cairo · Alexandria · Dahab · Hurghada · Luxor
💻 Digital Nomad Visa
❌ No dedicated nomad visa

Your Budget for Egypt

Enter how many months you plan to stay — see the total cost across each lifestyle tier.

🎒 Backpacker total$1,800
🏠 Mid-range total$3,300
💎 Luxury total$8,400

Cost of Living in Africa

How Egypt compares to other Africa countries on monthly cost, rent, and dining.

CountryMonthlyRent (Ctr)Meal (Mid)
Egypt$1,100$300$14
Tunisia$1,200$350$18
Morocco$1,700$450$20
Kenya$1,700$600$22
South Africa$2,100$600$30

How Egypt Compares Globally

28
Cost Index
(NYC = 100)
$-1,355
vs global avg
($2,455/mo/mo)
70
Internet Speed
(Mbps avg)

Popular Comparisons

Head-to-head with similar destinations:

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to live in Egypt per month?

A comfortable mid-range lifestyle in Egypt costs about $1,100 per month. Backpacker budgets start around $600, while a luxury lifestyle runs closer to $2,800. This includes rent, food, transport, and everyday expenses.

How much is rent in Egypt?

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center of Egypt costs around $300 per month, while the same apartment outside the center costs $180. Prices vary significantly by city — see Cairo, Alexandria, Dahab for local nuance.

Is Egypt cheaper than the US?

Yes. Egypt's cost-of-living index is 28 compared to 100 for the US (using NYC as the benchmark). That's roughly 72% cheaper overall, with rent typically the biggest difference.

Does Egypt have a digital nomad visa?

Egypt does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. Visa options: Visa-on-arrival or e-visa for most ($25); no nomad visa

What's the best time to visit or live in Egypt?

The best months for Egypt are October–April. Weather, tourist density, and local pricing all shift across the year, so planning your move during the ideal window saves both money and stress.

Plan Your Move to Egypt

Lifeplanr's Trip Planner lets you budget flights, accommodation, and daily costs — see Egypt fit into your life calendar.

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