Cost of Living in Egypt

Egypt is a country that links Northeast Africa with the Middle East. The country dates back to the pharos and has a fusion of African, Arab, and Mediterranean influences. Egypt offers quality education from some of the best universities in the world. Hence, it is a great study-abroad destination. The cost of living in Egypt is significantly less than in India. The average cost of living in Egypt is 24% less expensive than in India. The average salary is enough to cover for 4 months in Egypt. Keep reading to learn more about the cost of living in Egypt.

Why Study in Egypt?

Egypt has a mix of Asian, Mediterranean, and African cultures. Although it is not developing fast it has got a stable economy. The country has well-respected institutions that are popular among international students. Here are some of the reasons students should choose to study in Egypt. These are as follows:

• The universities in Egypt are among the highest-ranking universities in the world. Moreover, plenty of scholarships are available to international students to study in Egypt. It includes federal and privately funded programmes.
• Get to learn a new language (Arabic) and explore Egyptian culture and history.
• Get employment opportunities in Egypt, gain international exposure, and make lifelong friends.

Also Read: Cost of living in Iceland

Cost of Living in Egypt

The total cost of living in Egypt includes accommodation expenses, travel expenses, utility expenses, sports and leisure expenses, restaurant expenses, and more. The cost of living in Cairo includes all these expenses. However, Egypt is still one of the least expensive countries to live in. Hence, it makes it one of the best destinations for students to study.

Accommodation Expenses 

The student accommodation expenses in Egypt vary based on the place the student is living. Generally, accommodation expenses are higher in cities than in the suburbs.  Similarly, apartments in the city centre are expensive.

Accommodation	Cost
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre	5,853.66 EG£
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre	3,247.87 EG£
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre	10,648.94 EG£
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre	6,582.61 EG£

Transportation Cost 

The petrol prices are reasonable in Egypt. However, it can be impacted by the sudden spike in price. The taxi fare is also set at a reasonable amount. A little bargaining can work for the locals. Moreover, public transport is also reasonably priced. The exact transportation expenses a student might incur are as follows:

Transportation	Cost
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)	8.00 EG£
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	350.00 EG£
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	10.00 EG£
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)	33.00 EG£
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)	950,000.00 EG£

Utility Expenses

The utility expenses in Egypt are low. However, it can be impacted by the cost of living crisis. The flats in Egypt have almost all utility services prearranged. Those living in the apartment building with the help of their ‘bowwab’ /maintenance man can have it easy. They will collect the garbage, clean the communal building, and can arrange for repairs. Additionally, the bow will present all the utility bills.

Utility	Expenses
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment	818.07 EG£
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data	276.00 EG£
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	371.37 EG£

Educational Expenses

The cost of education in Egypt is significantly less than in other countries. Egypt is ranked 102 in the world in terms of education by the UNESCO Education Index (2018). As of 2020, the country has spent 12% of its expenditure on education. Therefore, education is free at all levels. However, expats choose to send their children to private or international schools. In Cairo, there are 85 schools and in Alexandria, there are 18 more. 

Education	Tuition Fees per year
School	US$1,800 – US$13,000
University	US$1,000–US$6,000

Healthcare Expenses 

The healthcare expenses in Egypt are highly affordable including private healthcare. Healthcare expenses have been increasing and have been between 4-6% of GDP (2019). The spending was US$150 per capita. Consequently, public healthcare expenditure is essentially free of cost. However, the healthcare system has outdated equipment and poor hygiene. Hence, ¾ medical expenses are conducted out of pocket. Hence, choosing private health insurance can be beneficial as it covers major treatment, medical evacuations, and mental health expenses.

Also Read: Cost of Living in Portugal 

Things to Consider Before Moving to Egypt 

Staying in Egypt means low living expenses. Therefore, many students might be interested in studying here. However, inflation is on the rise, and living expenses are increasing day by day. Therefore, these are some of the top tips that students can utilize before moving to Egypt.

• The rent/mortgage expenses will be the highest expenses you will incur while studying in Egypt. Therefore, it is important to choose an accommodation that suits the budget.
• Calculate monthly expenses, and set monthly bills
• Use insurance to manage the cost of living in Egypt, It will also help you to manage unforeseen expenses.
• The climate in Egypt is generally warm. Hence, it is important to pack appropriately.

Relevant Reads:

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Top Universities in Egypt	Cost of Living in Georgia: A Comprehensive Guide on Georgia’s Expense
A Guide on Cost of Living in South Africa	Cost of Living in Arizona: A Guide on Expected Expenses

FAQs

Egypt is a country that has low living costs. The accommodation expenses, transportation expenses, and utility expenses in the country are reasonable. However, it is best to travel to the country with health insurance. To discover more articles like this one, consult the study abroad experts at Leverage Edu.