Monthly Expenses for Expats, If you’re moving or living in Cairo, understanding monthly expenses is essential. From apartment rental and properties for rent in Egypt to utilities, groceries, and transportation, this guide breaks down what expats commonly spend every month—backed by real data—and helps you budget smarter.
Housing & Rent – The Biggest Expense
How Much Is Rent in Cairo?
Expats often start with rent fully furnished modern apartments in Cairo. Here’s what typical rents look like:
- In upscale areas like Zamalek or Maadi, expect 1-bedroom in city center to range between 8,000–12,000 EGP/month (~$300–500)
- Apartments outside the city center: 4,000–7,000 EGP/month (about $200–400)
- Expats shared in forums that a furnished 1-bedroom in expat-friendly neighborhoods like Maadi costs 6,000–10,000 EGP/month
Utilities & Internet – Essential Monthly Living Costs
What to Budget for Utilities?
Utilities in Cairo are affordable:
- Combined electricity, water, gas, and basic services range between 1,000–1,500 EGP/month (some estimate up to 2,000 EGP)
- Expats report internet costs averaging around 300–500 EGP/month, depending on speed and provider
What About Phones and Wi-Fi?
- A mobile phone plan (calls + data) typically runs about 600–1,200 EGP/month
- Internet-only plans cost roughly 480 EGP/month per some sources
Food & Groceries – Daily Basics
Buying Groceries in Egypt
Grocery bills vary based on habits:
- Monthly groceries for one person fall between 3,000–6,000 EGP, depending on whether you buy local staples or imported products
- A more budget-conscious estimate places groceries at 1,500–2,500 EGP/month per person
- Local listings show prices like: bread at ~10 EGP, milk ~8 EGP, chicken ~35 EGP/kg
Dining Out Prices
- A simple local meal costs about 50–100 EGP.
- Western-style dinners range from 200–400 EGP per person
Transportation & Daily Mobility
Getting Around Cairo
Affordable transport options include:
- Metro or bus rides cost 2–5 EGP per trip StackCacheexpatarrivals.com.
- Taxis or services like Uber cost around 20–50 EGP for short trips StackCache.
- Expats often budget 1,500–3,000 EGP/month for transportation StackCache.
Real Expats Report Their Typical Totals
“With a budget of $1,000–1,200/month (~31,000–37,000 EGP), a couple with a baby can live comfortably. Rent alone ranges around 4,000–6,000 EGP depending on location. Utilities add 1,000–1,500 EGP, groceries 3,000–5,000 EGP, transportation 1,500–3,000 EGP, and misc. expenses 1,500–3,000 EGP.”
Final Breakdown & Planning Tip
| Expense Category | Estimate (EGP/month) |
|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed expat-friendly) | 6,000–12,000 |
| Utilities & Internet | 1,500–2,500 |
| Groceries | 1,500–5,000 |
| Transportation | 500–3,000 |
| Misc & Entertainment | 1,000–3,000 |
| Estimated Total | 10,000–25,000+ |
Simplify Your Move with Regypt
Monthly Expenses for Expats, If you’re budgeting for a new life in Cairo and want to explore rent fully furnished modern apartments in Cairo, choose the right apartment rental, or browse properties for rent in Egypt, Regypt offers listings tailored for expats—making your transition smoother and more confident.
📍 Office: Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
📞 Call / WhatsApp: +20 10 320 333 20
📧 Email:info@regypt.com
🌐 Website:www.regypt.com
