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Cost of Living in Cairo

Cairo, Al Qāhirah, Egypt · Population 20,296,000 · National capital

▲ +24% vs Egypt average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)£17,996 ($371)
Couple, monthly£32,050 ($661)
Family of four, monthly£41,554 ($857)

Estimated Prices in Cairo

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant£189 ($3.90)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range£757 ($15.60)per meal
Cappuccino£56.75 ($1.17)each
Monthly groceries (single person)£4,287 ($88.40)per month
Monthly public transport pass£694 ($14.30)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment£1,828 ($37.70)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)£530 ($10.92)per month
Fitness club membership£530 ($10.92)per month
Cinema ticket£139 ($2.86)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre£7,742 ($160)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre£5,386 ($111)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre£16,158 ($333)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Cairo is £15,763 ($325) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of £17,996 ($371) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly £23,395 ($482) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (£5,386 ($111)) represents about 30% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Cairo

Cairo vs AlexandriaCairo vs GizaCairo vs Shubrā al KhaymahCairo vs Port SaidCairo vs SuezCairo vs Al Manşūrah

Nearby Cities

Şafţ al Laban

6 km away · Al Jīzah

Giza

7 km away · Al Jīzah

Shubrā al Khaymah

9 km away · Al Qalyūbīyah

Mīt Namā

11 km away · Al Qalyūbīyah

Kirdāsah

12 km away · Al Jīzah

Awsīm

13 km away · Al Jīzah

Şidfā

15 km away · Asyūţ

Al Khānkah

15 km away · Al Qalyūbīyah

Other Major Cities in Egypt

Alexandria

Al Iskandarīyah · pop. 5,441,866

£17,699 ($365) / mo

Giza

Al Jīzah · pop. 4,458,135

£15,628 ($322) / mo

Shubrā al Khaymah

Al Qalyūbīyah · pop. 1,025,569

£15,628 ($322) / mo

Port Said

Būr Sa‘īd · pop. 791,749

£14,455 ($298) / mo

Suez

As Suways · pop. 716,458

£14,455 ($298) / mo

Al Manşūrah

Ad Daqahlīyah · pop. 621,953

£14,455 ($298) / mo

Ḩalwān

Al Qāhirah · pop. 619,293

£14,455 ($298) / mo

Al Maḩallah al Kubrá

Al Gharbīyah · pop. 592,573

£14,455 ($298) / mo

Living in Cairo

Cairo is the capital and one of the key cities in Egypt. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is £17,996 ($371), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around £5,386 ($111) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to £41,554 ($857) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately £32,050 ($661) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Cairo is £15,763 ($325). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least £23,395 ($482) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cairo expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated £17,996 ($371) per month in Cairo including rent outside the city centre. That is 24% more than the national average for Egypt.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Cairo?
A net salary of around £23,395 ($482) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Cairo with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Cairo is £15,763 ($325).
How much is rent in Cairo?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated £7,742 ($160) per month in the city centre and £5,386 ($111) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about £16,158 ($333).
Is Cairo cheaper than Egypt on average?
No — Cairo is estimated to be about 24% more expensive than the Egypt average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Cairo?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at £4,287 ($88) in Cairo. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about £189 ($4) and a cappuccino runs around £57 ($1).
How do transport costs in Cairo compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Cairo is estimated at £694 ($14). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Cairo are estimates based on Egypt national averages adjusted for city size (population 20,296,000) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.