Cost of Living in Ismailia - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $344 monthly including rent, or $280 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $582 with rent, or $542 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $819 including rent, or $803 for daily expenses alone.

Ismailia sits 71–74% below the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are well below average (66% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.58 E£186
$1.20 E£62.0
$5.96 E£309
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$15.66 E£813
$9.79 E£508
$31.32 E£1,626
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.50 E£234
$3.21 E£166
$5.01 E£260
Cappuccino
$0.95 E£49.38
$0.57 E£29.43
$1.90 E£98.8
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27 E£13.84
$0.23 E£11.87
$0.38 E£19.78
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.11 E£5.62
$0.06 E£3.07
$0.20 E£10.22
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.20 E£62.3
$1.20 E£62.3
$2.00 E£104
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96 E£102
$1.96 E£102
$3.90 E£203
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.85 E£44.28
$0.71 E£36.81
$1.02 E£52.8
White Bread (500g)
$0.41 E£21.35
$0.41 E£21.35
$1.02 E£52.9
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.66 E£34.11
$0.61 E£31.45
$0.81 E£42.11
Eggs
$1.40 E£72.5
$1.08 E£56.2
$1.60 E£83.0
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.01 E£156
$1.61 E£83.3
$8.03 E£417
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.72 E£193
$3.43 E£178
$5.04 E£261
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.78 E£404
$7.78 E£404
$10.70 E£555
Apples (1kg)
$1.46 E£76.0
$1.00 E£51.9
$1.80 E£93.3
Banana (1kg)
$0.54 E£28.01
$0.39 E£20.00
$0.76 E£39.51
Oranges (1kg)
$0.41 E£21.36
$0.21 E£10.68
$0.61 E£31.50
Tomato (1kg)
$0.29 E£14.90
$0.19 E£9.93
$0.66 E£34.26
Potato (1kg)
$0.37 E£19.45
$0.12 E£5.99
$0.66 E£34.42
Onion (1kg)
$0.41 E£21.39
$0.21 E£10.69
$0.61 E£31.55
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.19 E£9.75
$0.09 E£4.87
$0.28 E£14.62
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.17 E£8.61
$0.14 E£7.25
$0.17 E£9.06
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.63 E£84.6
$1.34 E£69.5
$2.87 E£149
Wine (Bottle)
$5.85 E£303
$2.92 E£151
$9.74 E£505
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.02 E£53.1
$1.02 E£53.1
$1.84 E£95.5
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95 E£101
$0.88 E£45.50
$2.92 E£151
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.25 E£12.93
$0.11 E£5.97
$0.38 E£19.89
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$4.04 E£210
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.33 E£17.19
$0.25 E£12.89
$1.23 E£63.9
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.45 E£23.58
$0.21 E£10.72
$0.61 E£31.62
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.94 E£101
$1.35 E£70.1
$9.67 E£502
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.33 E£17.32
$0.31 E£16.24
$0.38 E£19.49
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.1K E£1.6M
$30.1K E£1.6M
$36.1K E£1.9M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.1K E£835.7K
$16.1K E£835.7K
$35.2K E£1.8M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$11.33 E£588
$8.40 E£436
$34.78 E£1,805
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.68 E£295
$2.95 E£153
$23.58 E£1,224
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.72 E£401
$3.86 E£200
$17.38 E£902
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$11.67 E£606
$9.73 E£505
$13.62 E£707
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.66 E£1,020
-
Cinema Ticket
$2.01 E£104
$1.01 E£52.2
$4.02 E£208
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$86.9 E£4,509
$58.1 E£3,015
$96.8 E£5,024
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,214 E£63.0K
$485 E£25.2K
$2,330 E£120.9K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$12.65 E£657
$5.84 E£303
$58.4 E£3,030
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$10.12 E£525
$10.12 E£525
$80.9 E£4,199
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$107 E£5,537
$67.9 E£3,523
$233 E£12.1K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$49.96 E£2,593
$13.68 E£710
$97.7 E£5,069
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$89.7 E£4,653
$79.7 E£4,136
$99.6 E£5,170
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$39.40 E£2,045
$39.40 E£2,045
$39.40 E£2,045
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$142 E£7,384
$137 E£7,130
$147 E£7,639
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$88.5 E£4,591
$78.6 E£4,080
$98.3 E£5,100
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$485 E£25.2K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$133 E£6,897
$75.9 E£3,941
$190 E£9,853
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$107 E£5,570
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
17
10
20

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $89.7 for a central one-bedroom, or $39.40 outside the center. At 84% of the average salary ($107), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.

Average take-home pay sits at $107, while typical expenses reach $344. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $111 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $16.00 for two – well below the African average of $42.00.

Public transport is priced at around $4.04 per month – among the cheapest in Africa (average $29.00).

Cost Highlights

Ismailia has the 3rd cheapest public transport monthly pass in Africa

Ismailia has the 7th cheapest 3-bedroom apartment, city center in Africa

Ismailia has the 7th cheapest internet in Africa

Ismailia Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Ismailia - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Ismailia, Egypt stack up for value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Ismailia, Egypt offers a balanced value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want a calmer base near the Suez Canal. You’ll typically find lower costs for meals, coffee, and daily essentials than in Egypt’s mega-cities, with a good mix of markets and casual eateries. Housing ranges from practical apartments in mid-rise blocks to smaller traditional units, often with reasonable rents for longer stays. Public transport is workable, and short drives connect you to beaches and parks; you’ll notice overall affordability for everyday life. Cost of Living in Ismailia, Egypt gives you a helpful benchmark when planning a longer stay. Tip: Start with a flexible rental to test neighborhoods and commute times before committing.
What does daily life look like for housing, food, transport, and coworking in Ismailia, Egypt?
In Ismailia, Egypt daily life is straightforward but varied by neighborhood choice. For housing, you can find furnished or unfurnished apartments through local agents, with longer leases often yielding better rates. Food is enjoyable and budget-friendly: street samplings and weekly markets deliver fresh produce and breads, while cafes near universities offer reliable coffee and quick meals. Transport is manageable via taxis, ride-hailing apps, and buses; many people prefer walking or short scooter trips for errands. Co-working spaces exist in town, good for digital nomads seeking reliable wifi. Ismailia, Egypt living cost varies by neighborhood and lifestyle, so plan a short scouting visit accordingly. Tip: Map out a few shortlisted areas with easy access to the canal and amenities.
Which neighborhoods suit different lifestyles in Ismailia, and what budgeting approach helps you maximize quality of life?
Quality of life in Ismailia, Egypt hinges on matching a neighborhood to your pace, work needs, and social life. If you want canal views and walkable errands, choose closer to the waterfront; for calmer evenings, inland districts near parks or universities can be preferable. A practical budgeting framework keeps you in control: estimate housing and utilities, then assign a comfortable cap for dining and co-working days, tracking monthly spend in broad categories. Seasonality shapes plans – hot summers prompt indoor activities and cooler evenings invite outdoor strolls and weekend trips to nearby spots. Tip: Preview neighborhoods at different times of day to assess noise, traffic, and access to fresh markets.
Why is Ismailia considered affordable?
Compared to most cities worldwide, Ismailia is just cheap – all-in costs average $344 monthly. Both housing and daily necessities sit below the international median, which explains its popularity with budget travelers, nomads, and locals on modest incomes.
Is Ismailia expensive to live in?
Your money goes further in Ismailia than in most cities its size. Expect to spend roughly $344 per month with housing included – groceries, transport, and eating out are all priced well below what you'd pay in comparable urban centers.
Can you save money on an average salary in Ismailia?
At $107 take-home, most residents in Ismailia can cover the $344 monthly cost of living. Those earning $516 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Ismailia?
Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Ismailia range from $39.40 to $89.7, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.
How expensive is a gym membership in Ismailia?
Fitness in Ismailia is cheap at around $11.67 monthly for a standard gym. It's one of the lighter items in the budget, making it easy to stay active without worrying about the cost.
How cheap is food in Ismailia?
Ismailia is great for eating affordably at home. Monthly grocery bills run about $111, and local produce is plentiful and well-priced, making home cooking both practical and cost-effective.
Can you live on $800 a month in Ismailia?
$800 stretches far in Ismailia – all-in monthly costs average only $344. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.
Is Ismailia a good place to live?
Living in Ismailia means access to low crime rates, clean air, family-friendly facilities at about $344 per month including rent. It works for a wide range of budgets, and most residents find the lifestyle-to-cost balance appealing. Your experience will depend on priorities like climate, culture, and career.
Can you save money living in Ismailia?
Monthly expenses in Ismailia run around $344, so putting money aside takes more than $516 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

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