Cost of Living in Alexandria
Complete monthly cost breakdown for digital nomads in Alexandria, Egypt
Alexandria is one of the most affordable Mediterranean cities in the world for digital nomads, with total monthly costs that can rival Southeast Asia. A budget-conscious nomad can live on $500-$800/month: $200-$350 for a local-lease apartment in Smouha or Cleopatra, $60-$130 on food (mixing koshary and street food with home cooking), $15-$30 on transit, $10-$20 on mobile data, and $40-$80 on health insurance. A comfortable mid-range lifestyle runs $1,000-$1,500/month: $400-$600 for a furnished apartment in Roushdy or Stanley, $150-$250 on regular dining out, $40-$60 on Uber rides, $30-$50 on connectivity plus a coworking membership, and $50-$100 on insurance. At the premium end, $2,000-$2,500/month buys a sea-view apartment in San Stefano, regular seafood restaurants, a WeWork or dedicated coworking desk, and premium healthcare. The Egyptian pound trades at approximately 47-50 EGP per USD as of February 2026, and while inflation has cooled from its 2023 peak, the devalued currency makes Alexandria extraordinarily affordable for anyone earning in dollars or euros. February is low season and ideal for negotiating apartment leases, though Ramadan begins around February 18 and will shift business hours for the second half of the month.
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Monthly Budget Breakdown
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Accommodation | $160 | $200 | $350 |
| 🍽️ Food & Dining | $120 | $170 | $460 |
| 💻 Coworking | $0 | $70 | $100 |
| 🚇 Transport | $30 | $50 | $100 |
| 🎯 Entertainment | $50 | $100 | $200 |
| 📱 Other | $50 | $100 | $200 |
| Total | $410 | $690 | $1,410 |
Accommodation
Alexandria remains one of the most affordable Mediterranean cities for digital nomads in early 2026, with accommodation costs that are a fraction of what you would pay in Southern Europe or even other parts of North Africa. Using the current exchange rate of approximately 1 USD = 47.5 EGP, a one-bedroom apartment on a local lease averages around 18,000 EGP per month (~$380), with a range of 12,000-25,000 EGP ($250-$525) depending on neighborhood and condition. A roughly 14% year-over-year rent increase since January 2025 has been driven by persistent Egyptian inflation and rising landlord costs. Two-bedroom apartments average 22,000 EGP (~$460), ranging from 15,000 to 35,000 EGP ($315-$735), with premium neighborhoods commanding the top end. Studios start around 15,000 EGP (~$315), with budget options in inland neighborhoods available from 10,000 EGP (~$210). Most unfurnished apartments come with basic appliances (refrigerator, stove, washing machine), and adding furniture raises the monthly rent by an extra 3,000-5,000 EGP ($63-$105).
Food & Eating Out
Alexandria is one of the most affordable cities in the world for eating out, and its food scene rewards digital nomads who embrace local Egyptian cuisine. Street food forms the backbone of daily eating: a generous portion of koshary (rice, lentils, pasta, and tangy tomato sauce) costs 25-50 EGP ($0.50-$1.05) from street vendors, while sit-down koshary restaurants charge 50-75 EGP ($1.05-$1.58). Ful medames (stewed fava beans) and ta'ameya (Egyptian falafel, made with fava beans rather than chickpeas) are breakfast staples at 10-25 EGP ($0.21-$0.53) per sandwich. A full Egyptian breakfast of ful, ta'ameya, eggs, and bread at a local restaurant like the legendary Mohamed Ahmed near Raml Station typically runs 80-150 EGP ($1.68-$3.16) per person. Fresh juice stands offer mango, sugarcane, guava, or strawberry juice for 15-30 EGP ($0.32-$0.63) per glass, and mint tea or sahlab from a street vendor costs 10-20 EGP ($0.21-$0.42).
Groceries
Alexandria has a solid range of grocery shopping options, from large supermarket chains to bustling local markets. The main chains include Seoudi Supermarket (one of Egypt's oldest, established in 1938), Carrefour (inside City Centre mall), and Metro Market. Staple prices as of early 2026 are remarkably low: bread costs 24-40 EGP ($0.50-$0.84) per 500g loaf (with subsidized baladi bread available for as little as 1-5 EGP), white rice runs 33-35 EGP ($0.69-$0.74) per kilo, a dozen large eggs costs 63-70 EGP ($1.33-$1.47), milk is 38-45 EGP ($0.80-$0.95) per liter, chicken breast averages 206-220 EGP ($4.33-$4.63) per kilo, and beef is 394-470 EGP ($8.29-$9.89) per kilo. Fresh local cheese runs 172-210 EGP ($3.62-$4.42) per kilo. Produce is exceptionally cheap: tomatoes at 16-18 EGP ($0.34-$0.38) per kilo, potatoes at 16-17 EGP ($0.34-$0.36) per kilo, oranges at 18-23 EGP ($0.38-$0.48) per kilo, and bananas at 24-32 EGP ($0.50-$0.67) per kilo. Bottled water (1.5L) costs about 10 EGP ($0.21).
Transportation
Alexandria's public transport backbone is its iconic tram system -- the oldest in Africa, operating since 1860. The network spans approximately 32 kilometers with around 140 stops across 20 lines. Fares are extraordinarily cheap: 1.5 EGP ($0.03) for an ordinary car, 2.5 EGP ($0.05) for a distinguished car, and 5.5 EGP ($0.12) for an air-conditioned carriage. Trams operate from roughly 4:00 AM to 1:00 AM daily. City buses charge 3-10 EGP ($0.06-$0.21) depending on distance. Microbuses -- privately operated vans that depart when full -- fill the gaps, with short hops around 5 EGP ($0.10) and cross-city rides rarely exceeding 10-15 EGP ($0.21-$0.31).
🪪 Driving & License
IDP required. Both conventions accepted. Driving in Cairo is extremely chaotic and not recommended for visitors. Most nomads use Uber, Careem, or taxis. Road conditions outside cities can be poor.
Connectivity
Home internet in Egypt is dominated by WE (Telecom Egypt), controlling approximately 80% of fixed-line subscriptions. Vodafone Egypt was ranked the top-performing fixed internet provider in 2025. Entry-level broadband packages start at roughly 239 EGP ($5.00) per month for 140 GB, while high-end plans offering 1 TB run around 1,550 EGP ($32.43). Egypt's median fixed broadband download speed reached approximately 85.6 Mbps by late 2025. A massive $600 million joint venture between Telecom Egypt and 4iG Group is investing in fiber to 6 million households. Most furnished rentals in Roushdy, Gleem, and San Stefano already have broadband installed.
Health
Alexandria has solid healthcare infrastructure with several reputable private hospitals including Elite Hospital, German Hospital Alexandria, and Alexandria Main University Hospital. Private facilities are strongly recommended over public ones for foreign visitors. Doctors in the private sector are generally well-trained with many having studied abroad, and most speak fluent English. A standard private consultation costs 600-1,200 EGP ($12-25), while specialists may charge 1,500 EGP or more. Emergency care is available 24/7 at major private hospitals.
Tips & Traps
Egypt offers straightforward visa access for most Western passport holders. A single-entry tourist visa costs $25 and is available as an e-visa or on arrival. Multiple-entry visas cost $60. Both grant a 30-day stay that can be renewed. There is no dedicated digital nomad visa, so most remote workers cycle 30-day tourist visas or extend at the Mogamma government building. Overstaying incurs fines payable at departure.
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