How Much Does It Cost to Live In Cairo?
The largest city in Africa, Cairo, is the capital of Egypt, which is noisy and messy.
A great number of ancient monuments and historical places makes this city a much-desired place to visit.
But what about local citizens, their lifestyle, traditions, jobs, salaries and so on?
How do people in Cairo spend their money and how much do they actually make?
We will outline the most popular items of expenditure, tell you some most common and less known facts about this city.
You will also know what to expect when you live here as a permanent resident or a tourist.
Egypt : Cost of Living by City
RESTAURANTS
Having a drink and hanging around is a usual thing in Cairo for both locals and foreigners.
Thanks to the stars, this colorful Egyptian city has loads of restaurants, bars, cafes and clubs which open their doors to the lovers of either traditions or extra modern styles.
You can have coffee, tea, fresh juices or smoke flavored tobacco to feel good.
MARKETS
Cairo has one of the coolest markets in the world.
You can buy nearly everything you need and do not need at this place.
The central market trades all the goods from glassware, handmade bracelets, and necklaces, clothes, and shoes to perfumes.
Haggling is popular here as well as pickpocketing, regretfully.
TRANSPORTATION
The most convenient transportation in Cairo is best represented by metro.
The stations here are very neat as well as the trains themselves.
By the way, just like the trams in Alexandria, the metro trains in Cairo have some separate coaches for women.
Besides, you can travel by bus, taxi, or river transport.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
A family settled in Cairo usually has to pay around $23 for traditional comforts in furnished houses.
These are represented but not limited to water supply, electricity, conditioning, trash collection etc.
The Internet connection might seem cheap to foreigners, but some categories of people in Cairo find it expensive.
SPORTS & LEISURE
You can choose to go traditional and buy a regular monthly subscription to a fitness club for yourself or the whole family.
Otherwise, pay attention to some really cool sports offers that will not only keep you fit but can change your life.
We’ll leave some of them here for you: horse riding, kitesurfing, biking, fishing, meditating, pole dancing.
CLOTHING & SHOES
Cairo is the city of diversity.
So many cultures and religions are crossed here when the locals meet the tourists.
You can go to the markets, walk the streets or take the metro train where you’ll see the Egyptian people dressed in traditional clothes or casual modern style, rich and poor.
Below are the prices for clothes and shoes in the chain stores.
RENT PER MONTH
Apartments for rent in Cairo are modern and stylish.
People try to make them as much comfortable as possible so you can have a good rest when on a vacation.
The prices can be per night or per month.
According to your needs, you can choose to stay in the suburbs or downtown.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Cairo
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $3.99 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $1.70 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.21 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $0.81 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $0.58 |
| Eggs (12) | $1.13 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $0.29 |
| Monthly Pass | $8.55 |
| Gasoline | $1.14 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $23.01 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.01 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $16.38 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $25.35 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $6.79 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $4.28 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $46.38 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $50.59 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $113.32 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $195.13 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $114.94 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $365.78 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Cairo?
Interestingly, such an item of expenditure as monthly bills for utilities is the thing that concerns an average Cairo citizen the least.
They spend really much money on food and products on the market.
Shopping and leisure time are given 7.2% and 7.5% of money respectively.
Monthly rent, transportation and eating out in the restaurants, clubs, bars or cafes are much more loss-making.
Cairo is the city of contrasts and the city of tourists, so the figures reflect correctly the expenses of the people living here.
Average Costs Breakdown
Cairo: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
The things are not so good with the average salaries, minimum wage, and mortgage interest rates here in Cairo.
People tend to make more money by working in tourism and selling things.
Actually, the average salary of an average employee in Cairo is a little less than $200 after tax.
At the same time, a minimum wage has slightly increased from the previous years and makes around $110 but this sum is too little for those who have to rent an apartment or pay the mortgage.
The interest rate for 20 years at a fixed rate is 13.95%.
In Cairo, they pay out well to civil engineers, accountants, and HRs.
Cairo Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Cairo Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH
Cost of Living by City in Cairo
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Alexandria | 23.92 |
