Moving to Cairo
A step-by-step guide for people who actually plan to stay in Cairo, Egypt. Not a vacation itinerary.
Monthly cost
$409
solo, city centre
Livability
51/100
decent
Safety
40/100
Safe enough to stop thinking about it
PR timeline
—
varies
How to move to Cairo
Visas, residency, and the paperwork you can't avoid
Residency data coming soon for Cairo.
What it costs to move to Cairo
First-month sticker shock, decoded
$215
1-bed, city centre / mo
Cheaper than 98% of 97 cities
$500
3-bed, city centre / mo
Monthly burn (solo)
$409/moRent + groceries + transport + utilities. No avocado toast budget.
Housing friction
Easy1–7 days, abundant supply
- •Passport sufficient
- •1–3 months' deposit depending on landlord
- •No formal credit system
- •Agent or building bawab (doorman) helps find units
First month in Cairo
The to-do list nobody gives you at the airport
- ☐
Research visa options for Egypt
- ☐
Open a local bank account
Bring a Arabic-speaking friend or prepare for mime-based banking
- ☐
Get a local SIM card
~$7/mo for 10GB+
- ☐
Find an apartment
Expect 1–7 days, abundant supply. Housing friction: Easy.
- ☐
Register with local authorities
Most countries require address registration within 30 days
- ☐
Get health insurance
Sort this before you need it, not after
- ☐
Start learning basic Arabic
Not optional. Download Duolingo before the plane lands
Language in Cairo
Can you order coffee without pointing?
Arabic
primary language
Low
English proficiency
English proficiency is low. Learning at least basic Arabic isn't optional — it's survival.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, freedom, and regime vibes
2.9/10
democracy index (EIU)
🚩 Authoritarian regime
regime type
Travel advisory: Level 3 — Reconsider travel
FCDO advises against travel to some regions.
Is Cairo safe?
Crime stats for people who read footnotes
👍
Safe enough to stop thinking about it
1.3
homicides per 100k
Weather in Cairo
What the thermometer actually says
35°C
summer highs
11°C
winter lows
26 Mbps
average download speed
The honest take
What we'd tell a friend
Going for it
- ✓ $215/mo in Cairo. Aggressively affordable.
- ✓ Safety in Cairo: 1.3/100k rate. Focus on other things.
- ✓ Summers in Cairo: 35°C. Cold clothes gather dust.
Think twice about
- ✗ Governance in Egypt: 2.9/10. Think hard about Cairo.
- ✗ Cairo: 35°C summer highs. Shade is strategy.
- ✗ Daily life in Cairo requires Arabic. Start learning now.
This is the settler summary. For the full data dump:
Full Cairo profile →