City comparison
🇪🇬 Cairo vs 🇦🇪 Dubai
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, taxes, and quality of life for expats.
Quick verdict
More affordable
Cairo
205% more expensive overall
Higher quality of life
Dubai
5/10 vs 8/10
Cost of living comparison
| Category | 🇪🇬 Cairo | 🇦🇪 Dubai |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, center) | €194 | €2,140 |
| Rent (1-bed, outside centre) | €174 | €1,345 |
| Groceries (single) | €130 | €255 |
| Transport pass | €8 | €84 |
| Restaurant (2 people) | €16 | €76 |
| Monthly budget (moderate) | €950 | €4,400 |
Rents: Cairo, Numbeo (October 2026); Dubai, Numbeo (October 2026)
Monthly budgets: official household spending surveys, single adult, plus rent; each city page gives its source.
Quality of life
| Metric | 🇪🇬 Cairo | 🇦🇪 Dubai |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 5/10 | 8/10 |
| Safety | 5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| Healthcare | 4.6/10 | 8/10 |
| Education | 4.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Expat Community | 5.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| English Proficiency | 4/10 | 9/10 |
Tax & practical info
🇪🇬
Cairo
EgyptTax regime
0 to 27.5% progressive PIT
Climate
Hot desert
Nomad visa
No
Effective tax rate
0 to 27.5%
Avg. salary
€2,000 to €4,000+/year local (expat packages higher)
🇦🇪
Dubai
UAETax regime
0% personal income tax
Climate
Hot desert
Nomad visa
Yes
Effective tax rate
0%
Avg. salary
€45,000 to €95,000
Crunch the numbers
Use our calculators to compare your actual take-home pay and monthly budget.
These figures are indicative and based on public datasets. They are not the opinion of a tax lawyer. Consult a tax lawyer, a chartered accountant or a licensed financial professional before making relocation or employment decisions.
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