How Egypt compares across key indices
Cost of Living
19 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
85/100
Healthcare
54/100
Quality of Life
136/200
How far your money goes in Egypt
Cost of Living
19
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
15
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
19
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
20
100 = NYC dining
How safe residents feel in Egypt - based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
85/100
Crime Index
25/100
Lower is better
0 point drop from day to night
Egypt has 235 modeled cities; this view starts with 40 curated or popular options. Monthly costs for a single person range from $411 in Idkū to $531 in Cairo. Damanhur leads on safety, scoring 85/100. Cairo ranks highest for quality of life at 145/200.
Idkū
$411/mo
Damanhur
85/100
Cairo
145/200
Cairo
70/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo | $531 | 77/100 | 145/200 | 70/100 | 95 |
| Alexandria | $479 | 79/100 | 145/200 | 65/100 | 95 |
| Giza | $477 | 79/100 | 145/200 | 64/100 | 95 |
| Shubrā al Khaymah | $451 | 82/100 | 145/200 | 60/100 | 95 |
| Port Said | $441 | 83/100 | 145/200 | 59/100 | 95 |
| Suez | $439 | 83/100 | 145/200 | 58/100 | 95 |
| Madīnat an Naşr | $438 | 83/100 | 145/200 | 58/100 | 95 |
| Al Mansurah | $437 | 84/100 | 144/200 | 58/100 | 95 |
| Al Maḩallah al Kubrá | $436 | 84/100 | 144/200 | 58/100 | 95 |
| Tanta | $435 | 84/100 | 145/200 | 58/100 | 95 |
| Assiut | $434 | 84/100 | 145/200 | 57/100 | 95 |
| Al Fayyum | $433 | 84/100 | 144/200 | 57/100 | 95 |
| Al Khuşūş | $432 | 84/100 | 144/200 | 57/100 | 95 |
| Esna | $431 | 84/100 | 145/200 | 57/100 | 95 |
| Zagazig | $429 | 84/100 | 144/200 | 57/100 | 95 |
| Ismailia | $429 | 84/100 | 144/200 | 57/100 | 95 |
| Luxor | $429 | 84/100 | 145/200 | 57/100 | 95 |
| Kom Ombo | $428 | 84/100 | 144/200 | 57/100 | 95 |
| Aswān | $427 | 85/100 | 144/200 | 56/100 | 95 |
| 6th of October City | $426 | 85/100 | 144/200 | 56/100 | 95 |
| Ḩadā’iq al Qubbah | $425 | 85/100 | 144/200 | 56/100 | 95 |
| Damanhur | $423 | 85/100 | 144/200 | 56/100 | 95 |
| Al Qāhirah al Jadīdah | $423 | 85/100 | 144/200 | 56/100 | 95 |
| New Cairo | $423 | 85/100 | 144/200 | 56/100 | 95 |
| Damietta | $422 | 85/100 | 144/200 | 56/100 | 95 |
| Rosetta | $422 | 85/100 | 144/200 | 56/100 | 95 |
| Minya | $421 | 85/100 | 144/200 | 55/100 | 95 |
| Banī Suwayf | $420 | 85/100 | 144/200 | 55/100 | 95 |
| Shibīn al Kawm | $419 | 85/100 | 144/200 | 55/100 | 95 |
| Sohag | $419 | 85/100 | 144/200 | 55/100 | 95 |
| Qina | $418 | 85/100 | 144/200 | 55/100 | 95 |
| Al ‘Āshir min Ramaḑān | $418 | 85/100 | 144/200 | 55/100 | 95 |
| Ḩalwān | $416 | 85/100 | 144/200 | 55/100 | 95 |
| Mallawī | $415 | 85/100 | 144/200 | 54/100 | 95 |
| Hurghada | $414 | 85/100 | 144/200 | 54/100 | 95 |
| Arīsh | $413 | 85/100 | 144/200 | 54/100 | 95 |
| Kafr ash Shaykh | $413 | 85/100 | 144/200 | 54/100 | 95 |
| Bilbeis | $412 | 85/100 | 144/200 | 54/100 | 95 |
| Banhā | $412 | 85/100 | 144/200 | 54/100 | 95 |
| Idkū | $411 | 85/100 | 144/200 | 54/100 | 95 |
Freedom Abroad estimates are modeled for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare system overview for Egypt
Real coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.
A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR
Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Egypt
Pollution Index
100/100
Lower is better
PM2.5
54.9ug/m3
Unhealthy
Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Common questions about living in Egypt, answered with data
Egypt has a cost of living index of 19 relative to New York City (100). It is significantly cheaper than the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $400 in Dayrūţ and reach $531 in Cairo.
Dayrūţ is the most affordable city in Egypt in Freedom Abroad estimates, with estimated monthly costs of $400 for a single person including rent. Ţimā is the next most affordable at $400/mo.
Egypt has a safety index of 85/100, making it very safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Damanhur scores highest on safety at 85/100.
Cairo ranks highest for quality of life in Egypt, scoring 145/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $531/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Dayrūţ offers the lowest monthly costs at $400/mo.
Egypt scores 54/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it adequate by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.
Yes. Egypt's cost of living is roughly 81% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 85% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
Egypt has a pollution index of 100/100 (lower = cleaner). Pollution can be a concern in urban areas. Research specific cities before committing, as rural and coastal areas typically fare better.
Your pre-departure checklist for Egypt
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Cost of living, safety, and quality-of-life figures on this page are Freedom Abroad estimates modeled from open public sources. Data sources
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