Cost of Living: Cairo vs Moscow (2026)

Egypt vs Russia — relocation comparison

TL;DRCairo is 86% cheaper on rent ($215/mo vs $1499/mo). Cairo is safer — homicide rate 1.3 vs 7.8 per 100k. Both are solid options for settling down — the spreadsheet won't save you from this one.
51
Livability Score
🇪🇬 Cairo
Egypt
Full profile
39
Livability Score
🇷🇺 Moscow
Russia
Full profile
Cairo scores 51 to Moscow's 39 on livability — the gap is real. Moscow has its charms, but the numbers favor Cairo.
💰
Cost of Living
Cairo
$1284/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
Cairo
1.3 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Cairo
2.9/10 EIU index
☀️
Weather
35°C vs 22°C summers
🗣️
English
Cairo
higher proficiency score
Cairo
Metric
Moscow
$215/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$1499/mo
$167/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$533/mo
1.3 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
7.8 / 100k
35°C
☀️
Summer high
22°C
11°C
❄️
Winter low
-9°C
26 Mbps
Internet speed
2.9 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
2.2 / 10
Low (38/100)
🗣️
English ease
Low (22/100)
$19k
💼
GDP per capita
$47k
28.3%
📈
Inflation
8.4%
51 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
39 / 100

For the Kids

Schools, pediatric care, and whether your children can actually enroll

5
Intl schools
3
$103/mo
Childcare
full-day
$670/mo

Sources: OECD PISA 2022 · Wikipedia · Numbeo · official health systems

Settler Essentials

declining
Democracy trend
declining

Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals

The Short Version

  • Rent is 86% cheaper in Cairo ($215/mo vs $1499/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are dramatically warmer in Cairo (35°C vs 22°C).
  • Cairo is safer by homicide rate (1.3 vs 7.8 per 100k).
  • Cairo scores higher on democracy (2.9 vs 2.2 / 10 EIU).
  • English is easier to get by in Cairo (38/100 vs 22/100 English proficiency).

Cairo vs Moscow — Common Questions

Is Cairo cheaper than Moscow?

Cairo is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $215/month in Cairo vs $1499/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Cairo or Moscow?

Cairo is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Cairo has a rate of 1.31 per 100,000 and Moscow has 7.82 per 100,000.

Should I move to Cairo or Moscow?

Cairo scores 51 to Moscow's 39 on livability — the gap is real. Moscow has its charms, but the numbers favor Cairo. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.

Which has better weather, Cairo or Moscow?

Cairo is warmer in summer (35°C vs 22°C). Moscow has milder summers, which suits those who prefer cooler weather. Climate preference is personal — use the weather section above to compare seasons.

Can I live in Cairo or Moscow without speaking the local language?

English is easier to get by in Cairo (EF EPI score: 38/100) than in Moscow (22/100). In Cairo, daily life and professional settings often work in English. In Moscow, learning some of the local language will make long-term settlement significantly smoother.

Don't agree? Take the quiz and see what fits you.

Factor in your salary, family size, weather preferences, and deal-breakers.