WHAT IS THE AVERAGE RENT FOR APARTMENTS IN CAIRO, EGYPT?
Finding an Apartment|4.1 MIN READ|Updated on: 02 September 2026|Written by: Marwa Samir
Cairo is one of Africa's largest cities and Egypt's capital, and it draws people for work as much as for its history. Whether you are relocating or already here and moving, the first question is usually the same one: what does an apartment actually cost?
Rent depends on four things. Where the apartment is, how big it is, what condition and furnishing level it comes in, and what the building offers. The ranges below cover Cairo broadly, with the premium expat districts treated separately.
Average Rent in Cairo
| Apartment | Decent areas | Prime areas (Maadi, Zamalek) |
|---|---|---|
| One bedroom | 25,000–40,000 EGP | 40,000 EGP and above |
| Two bedrooms | 30,000–50,000 EGP | 50,000–90,000 EGP |
| Three bedrooms | 45,000–70,000 EGP | 70,000 EGP and above |
Rents have risen steadily for several years on inflation and demand, typically by 5 to 10 percent a year on renewal. Budget for that when you sign a longer lease.
What Our Maadi Listings Show
Those are Cairo-wide figures. In the premium expat districts the picture is narrower and higher. As of August 2026, apartments for rent in Maadi on our own books run roughly like this:
- Furnished two-bedroom apartments from about 35,280 EGP up to 90,720 EGP a month.
- Three-bedroom apartments between 75,600 and 191,520 EGP.
- Four-bedroom apartments and ground floors between 173,880 and 201,600 EGP.
- Modern furnished studios in Sarayat from around 60,480 EGP.
The spread inside a single sub-area is wider than most people expect. Two modern furnished apartments of the same size on the same Degla street can differ by more than double, depending on the building and the finish.
What Moves the Price
- Location. Central and expat-favoured districts cost more than the outskirts. Within Maadi, Sarayat sits above Degla, which sits above Old Maadi.
- Size and layout. More bedrooms and more square metres cost more, but layout and ceiling height change how large a given area feels.
- Furnishing. Modern furnished commands the biggest premium, then furnished, then semi furnished, then unfurnished.
- Building quality. A lift, covered parking, a generator, a pool and 24-hour security all move the number.
- Demand. Prices firm up ahead of the school year and soften in quieter months.
Why Prime Areas Cost More
Maadi and Zamalek carry a premium for reasons beyond the address. Both put international schools, embassies, clinics and shopping within reach, both are walkable by Cairo standards, and Maadi has three metro stations on Line 1.
For an expat family, the premium usually buys back time on the school run and the commute, which is the scarcest thing in this city. Our guide to why Maadi works for expatriates goes into the detail.
What You Get for the Rent
Air conditioning is standard and non-negotiable through a Cairo summer. Most furnished lettings also include a fitted kitchen with appliances, and many buildings add a shared pool, a gym, covered parking or a roof terrace.
Two things worth checking that rarely appear in listings: whether the building has a backup generator, and whether parking is actually allocated to your unit rather than first come, first served.
Conclusion
Set your ceiling first, then fix the area, then take the most space and the best building you can get inside both. Prices in Cairo range from genuinely affordable to seriously expensive, and the gap between a good deal and a poor one within the same street is often larger than the gap between districts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent for an apartment in Cairo?
Roughly 25,000 to 40,000 EGP a month for a one-bedroom in a decent area, and 30,000 to 50,000 for a two-bedroom. In Maadi and Zamalek expect 40,000 and up for a one-bedroom and 50,000 to 90,000 for a two-bedroom.
How much is a three-bedroom apartment in Maadi?
Between 75,600 and 191,520 EGP a month on our current listings, as of August 2026. Where it lands depends on the sub-area, the size and the furnishing level.
How much does rent go up each year?
Typically 5 to 10 percent on renewal, driven by inflation and demand. Agree the increase mechanism in the lease rather than leaving it open.
Why do identical apartments differ so much in price?
Building quality and furnishing level, mostly. Two apartments of the same size on the same street can differ by more than double once you factor in the finish, the lift, the parking and whether there is a generator. Compare on specification, not on square metres.
