Skyline of Cairo
Cost of Living: 100 9,500,000

Cairo, Egypt

Egypt's sprawling capital and largest city in the Arab world, home to the Pyramids, ancient history, and a vibrant modern culture.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Cairo is a city in Cairo with a population of 9,500,000. Egypt’s sprawling capital and largest city in the Arab world, home to the Pyramids, ancient history, and a vibrant modern culture. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 7a growing zone supports Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, with about 320 sunny days a year. The population skews young, with a median age of 25.0.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 100

Below Average vs Egypt Avg (100)

Housing Index 105

Above Average

Median Income EGP 120,000

Household income

Unemployment 8.0%

Job market health

Cairo vs Egypt Average

Cost of Living
Cairo: 100
Egypt Avg: 100
Housing Index
Cairo: 105
Egypt Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 14.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: EGP 120,000
  • Unemployment: 8.0%
  • Population: 9,500,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 320/year
  • Summer High: 95°F
  • Winter Low: 55°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7a

Housing

  • Median Home: E£2,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: E£5000/mo

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Cost of Living

Cairo's cost of living index is 100 (Egypt average = 100).

CategoryCairoNational AverageDifference
Overall1001000.0%
Housing105100+5.0%

Data source: CAPMAS / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceE£2,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)E£5000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)E£6,250/mo
Price per Sq FtE£1,333

Data source: Aqarmap / Numbeo, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

%
$90,000 down
%
%

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Cairo:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityE£200
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)E£300Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterE£80Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)E£250Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesE£830Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: EEHC, Holding Company for Water, Telecom Egypt 2025

Remote Work Score

Cairo scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
100
Rent
E£5000
Sunny Days
320
Tax
None
Unemployment
8.0%
Climate
95°F / 55°F
Safety
2.5 homicides/100k
Population
9,500,000
Internet Speed
40 Mbps

Climate

Cairo has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January75°F55°F2.5"
April80°F70°F2.8"
July95°F70°F1.5"
October75°F73°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7a

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Cairo faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Drought Extreme Risk

Arid environment.

Sandstorm High Risk

Frequent sandstorms.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Seismic activity in the region.

Tsunami Moderate Risk

Mediterranean coast with tsunami risk.

Flood Moderate Risk

Nile River flooding (now controlled).

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 14%
  • Property Tax: ~0.1% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 8.0%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Cairo per 100,000 residents:

20.0
Violent Crime
100.0
Property Crime
2.5
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: UN Office on Drugs and Crime

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Academic Year September to June
Term System Semester — Fall (Sep-Jan), Spring (Feb-Jun)
Summer Break June to September (13 weeks)
Winter Break January/February (2 weeks)
Spring Break Sham El Nessim in April (1 week)

Friday is the weekly holiday. Sham El Nessim is a spring festival.

Universities & Higher Education

3
Universities
#513
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University Cairo University

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Cairo is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Egyptian (Arab)
99.0%
Other
1.0%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.0%
High school graduate
25.0%
Less than high school
40.0%
Some college
15.0%

Religion

Christian (Coptic)
9.0%
Muslim
90.0%
Other
1.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS) (2021)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Cairo, Egypt?

The cost of living index in Cairo is 100, which is Lower the Egypt national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Cairo?

The median home price in Cairo is E£2,000,000. The housing index is 105.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Cairo is approximately E£5000/mo.

Does Cairo, Cairo have income tax?

Cairo is in Cairo, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Cairo?

Cairo enjoys approximately 320 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 95°F, while winter lows can drop to around 55°F.

Relocation Guides

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: CAPMAS / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Aqarmap / Numbeo, 2026
  • Income & Employment: CAPMAS Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities EEHC, Holding Company for Water, Telecom Egypt 2025

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.