Cost of Living in Egypt in 2020

Hi everyone,

Every year, we invite expats who are living in Egypt to share their experience and tell us more about the average price of products and services in their town, city or area, so that we can help future expats planning to settle in Egypt.
We would like to thank you in advance for your contribution.

Regarding accommodation, how much does it cost to rent or buy an apartment or a house in Egypt?

How much do you pay on average for public transport (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)?
How much does it cost to fill up your car's fuel tank?

Concerning your food expenses : how much do you pay for basic food items such as rice, bread, and pasta? What is the average price of your monthly food shopping?

How much does it cost to have health insurance? How much for a health specialist's consultation in Egypt?

How much does childcare cost on average per month? What about school fees?

How much do you pay for electricity, gas, water, internet, mobile's subscription etc., per month?

How much do you spend on leisure in Egypt (cinema,sport, etc)?

Feel free to add any other daily expenses that you have in mind.

Thank you for sharing,

Loïc

Hi...
Interesting question.

When I arrived, I used Airbnb.  That ran roughly 600 USD for the month and I rented for 3 months.  I did look around and frankly, some if the less costly flats were in areas I would not live in.  I ended up renting my Airbnb flat for 6000 egp.  Still higher than the norm but it is furnished, 2bedrooms, 2 baths, full kitchen and in a secure compound.

This is changing soon as I am renovating a flat with a panoramic view of the Nile. This flat is 3 bed/maid quarters w/bath, master bath/sauna bath/guest bath, full kitchen, servants entrance, living room, sun room, dining room, parlor. 7000 egp monthly.

As far as food goes, all I can say is thank God for apps and deliveries!!
1. Fruit/veggies I get these delivered biweekly roughly 300 ego
2. Baked goods, that is weekly again delivered weekly 300-400 egp
3.  If I need to run to Carrefour for needed items, that usually will run anywhere from 150-325 egp.  Usually for cheese, luncheon meats, teas.

Other services:
4. I stream so my wifi at the flat is 380 egp with WE.
5. My mobile/net 260 egp as I use my wifi at home most if the time. I do not go high on the internet as I  use it outside in a limited amount. 
6. Dry cleaning: 200 egp
7. Souq: monthly deliveries
900 ego
8. Electrical: as low as 11 egp to my highest at 700 egp.  Depends on how hot or cold it is. Yea, I like my comfort.
9. Cleaning woman: 300 egp once a week. Keep th e floors and windows clean.
10. Shopping: this means anything from malls to bazaars to the vendors on the corners.  I average 1200 ego to 4000 egp. 
11.  Uber: 600 ego average per month. Thinking about buying a vehicle.  But Uber is great-except on holidays. It can be a challenge.
12. Restaurants: if I am paying I average 600 per meal for lunch. Other times it can be 900 ego if we go to a cafe and just stay awhile.   It can add up.
13.  Fees for passport/visa fees-average 1750 egp every 6 months. 
14. Hair styling:  I go to TOI in Zemalak so I average 2100 egp each 60 days or so.
15. Girl stuff: mani/pedi/wax: 900 egp. Visits vary each month.
16. Facials: that can vary 2000-3000 egp.

When I arrived the USD was 18.50 ego per dollar. Currently, it's 15.25 egp.

I still have money left over.

Not sure what else to add but living here for me is wonderful.  Affordable.

What is the difference between ego and egp?

Typo.   Both should be egp.

My god you must have so much money to afford all of this. I would love to be able to spend that much on all those things. Well done

Thank you.  Not really.  I just pick my poison..so to speak. I'm fortunate in that I can do that. 
Egypt, for me is inexpensive.  I come from the US.

I plan to retire in Egypt but I am worried about health coverage. I will be 66 years old.  I think there is an age limit which is 60, so I am not sure what to do about this and I heard that Medicare does not work in Egypt.

Are you living in Cairo? That pricing sounds wonderfully inexpensive coming from US. Thank you for sharing!
When you say you are renovating, do you own or are you renting and have the ability to make changes? Pls explain.

Thanks,
Yemi

Hi...I am going to assume that you have SSA benefits. 

1. Medicare covers ER care outside the US only and after deductible.  Don't get the prescription part as it won't work here. Maintain only the free part. I declined it.

2. There are plans available here thru insurance agents. Don't let them talk you into "foreign" insurance. It's a waste and pricey.  There are inexpensive plans out there.

3. I don't have insurance as I have found that medical services are fairly inexpensive.   PM me.

Hi

I have noticed how, the cost of everyday living, have gone up, even though I am not a permanent resident yet, with each return, I find I am paying more, which I was told, by a store owner, it is mainly due, to the exchange rate.

With an issue of sorting, true and honest helpers, with those who are lining their pockets, such as the property tax, in Hurghada, where has a none resident, I as do others, rely, upon local solicitors, to advice and help.

So why are some solicitors, contacting foreign property owners, claiming they need, to re-registers their property, for a new property tax id number, for a large fee, with so many conflicting answers, what is the truth and what can, I and other foreign property owners do or go, to find the truth and not be ripped off, that we end up discouraged and keeping, other potential investors, friends and family away.

It is a shame, there is no one or place, where clear answers or help, maybe easily found and available.

The cost of living has went up. I am  American but i have lived here for some years . You can live  good . If you know how to budget .  I eat out rarely on occasions  but mostly cook at home. Near my flat i  can get fresh fruits and veggies off the truck daily
I bought my own stuff to  have put in my flat   Since  We just moved heres I still have alittle more to add  other than that its fine ..  I do my on cleaning   and  laundry. I have an automatic washing machine  I have a 3 bedroom  flat , Its not a really fancy area but its good enough to  me . I mean it depends the person.

Electric is Free  Where  I currently live now
Water is like 88 egyptian pounds flat
and Baweb is 60 egyptpounds
gas is very cheap also  I think 110 is what i paid last month

thats all i pay for  Water  Doorman Fees and Gas

so yeah it can be done

I still go to  cinnema but i havent been in a while lately

Comparing to Dubai, how do u describe it in terms of cost??

Ive always wanted to go to Dubai.   I can say my experience I like it . There are ups and down but would not trade it for anything

I was talking about Egypt (comparing to Dubai)

I knew what you were talking about and I gave my experience as an American who has lived in Egypt.

Egypt is alot cheaper than Dobai

Dubai

👍👍

Hi everyone,

PT Elawany and najjsall :

Maybe you could reply with some figures or with some further information?

It would be very helpful.

Thanks,

Priscilla
Expat.com Team

Hi Priscilla,
Actually I live between Lebanon and Dubai with  possibilities of expanding to Egypt. To be honest I have friends in Egypt but no clue of the cost of living there same as you 😏

Hi  Priscilla,

Hope you and your family and your friends are well, the cost of living in Egypt, depends on a couple of things, such as which part of Egypt, you are living in  ?,  also what you do for income  ?, plus the type of accommodation you live in.

Has I spend most of my time in Hurghada, where I live on a complex, so the cost is fairly cheap for now, however, such type of living, will incur additional and extra cost, for each year you are there.

There is also the issue, of so many people, who are willing to help, with the majority, seeking some form of fee, with them actually helping or doing something, that you can easily do yourself, for far less, so it can be difficult, especially, if you are not an Egyptian or speak the language.

Hence my forever attempt, to find an honest, solicitor or resident, who can tell me the facts, regarding paying property tax, for property owners in Hurghada.