Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Egypt Property Pack
Get all the data you need about the real estate market in Cairo
We constantly update this blog post so the rent figures in Cairo stay useful for buyers, landlords and investors.
As of June 2026, Cairo rents are still moving up, but the rental market is very different from one neighborhood to another.
This guide focuses only on residential property in Cairo, not offices, shops or short-stay hotel units.
And if you’re planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Cairo.
What are typical rents in Cairo as of 2026?
What's the average monthly rent for a studio in Cairo as of 2026?
As of 2026, the average monthly rent for a studio in Cairo is about EGP 23,000, which is roughly USD 460 or EUR 400.
In practice, most studios in Cairo rent for about EGP 12,000 to EGP 45,000 per month, or around USD 240 to USD 900 and EUR 210 to EUR 780.
This wide range exists because a small furnished studio in Zamalek, Maadi or New Cairo is not priced like a simple local studio in Nasr City, Heliopolis fringe or 6th of October.
What's the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom in Cairo as of 2026?
As of 2026, the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Cairo is about EGP 32,000, which is roughly USD 640 or EUR 550.
For most 1-bedroom apartments in Cairo, a realistic rent range is EGP 10,000 to EGP 45,000 per month, or about USD 200 to USD 900 and EUR 170 to EUR 780.
The cheapest 1-bedroom rents in Cairo are usually in Nasr City, 6th of October and some Heliopolis fringe areas, while the highest rents are usually in Zamalek, Maadi, New Cairo and Sheikh Zayed.
What's the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom in Cairo as of 2026?
As of 2026, the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Cairo is about EGP 50,000, which is roughly USD 1,000 or EUR 860.
Most 2-bedroom apartments in Cairo rent for about EGP 25,000 to EGP 125,000 per month, or around USD 500 to USD 2,500 and EUR 430 to EUR 2,160.
The cheapest 2-bedroom rents in Cairo are often in Nasr City, Dokki, Heliopolis and 6th of October, while the most expensive 2-bedroom rents are usually in Zamalek, Garden City, Maadi Sarayat and top New Cairo compounds.
By the way, you will find much more detailed rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Cairo.
What's the average rent per square meter in Cairo as of 2026?
As of 2026, the average rent per square meter in Cairo is about EGP 310 per month, which is roughly USD 6.20 or EUR 5.30 per sqm.
Across Cairo neighborhoods, most monthly rents fall between EGP 150 and EGP 800 per sqm, or about USD 3 to USD 16 and EUR 2.60 to EUR 13.80 per sqm.
Compared with many Egyptian cities, Cairo rents per sqm are higher because Cairo has the deepest job market, the largest expat rental base and the strongest prime apartment demand.
In Cairo, rent per sqm usually goes above average when the apartment is furnished, renovated, close to embassies or schools, inside a compound, near the Nile, or easy to reach by metro or main roads.
How much have rents changed year-over-year in Cairo in 2026?
As of 2026, average market rents in Cairo are up by about 15% year over year.
This increase is mainly driven by inflation, expensive financing, strong family demand, expat demand in prime districts and the shift from buying to renting when home payments feel too heavy.
Compared with the previous year, Cairo rent growth in 2026 looks slightly calmer, but prime furnished apartments in Zamalek, Maadi, New Cairo and Sheikh Zayed are still rising faster than normal local flats.
What's the outlook for rent growth in Cairo in 2026?
As of 2026, rents in Cairo are likely to rise by another 8% to 12% over the rest of the year.
The main support for Cairo rent growth is population pressure, high living costs, high borrowing costs and steady demand from families, students, professionals and expats.
The strongest rent growth in Cairo is expected in Zamalek, Maadi Sarayat, New Cairo compounds, Sheikh Zayed and well-connected parts of Nasr City.
The biggest risks are affordability pressure, too many expensive compound listings, currency swings and landlords asking more than tenants can realistically pay.
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Which neighborhoods rent best in Cairo as of 2026?
Which neighborhoods have the highest rents in Cairo as of 2026?
As of 2026, the three highest-rent areas in Cairo are Zamalek at about EGP 90,000 per month, Maadi Sarayat at about EGP 75,000 per month and top New Cairo compounds at about EGP 70,000 per month, or roughly USD 1,800, USD 1,500 and USD 1,400.
These Cairo neighborhoods command premium rents because Zamalek has central prestige, Maadi Sarayat has villa-like streets and expat schools nearby, and New Cairo compounds offer security, parking and modern layouts.
The typical tenants in these high-rent Cairo neighborhoods are diplomats, expat families, senior professionals, corporate assignees and wealthy Egyptian families who want comfort more than the cheapest possible rent.
Where do young professionals prefer to rent in Cairo right now?
The top Cairo neighborhoods for young professionals are Zamalek, Dokki and New Cairo, with Heliopolis, Nasr City and Maadi Degla also popular for value and commute reasons.
Young professionals in these Cairo neighborhoods usually pay about EGP 18,000 to EGP 45,000 per month, or roughly USD 360 to USD 900 and EUR 310 to EUR 780.
Young professionals like these Cairo areas because they offer easier commutes, cafes, gyms, nightlife, shared flats, metro access in some cases and better access to office clusters.
By the way, you will find a detailed tenant analysis in our property pack covering the real estate market in Cairo.
Where do families prefer to rent in Cairo right now?
The top Cairo neighborhoods for families are Maadi, New Cairo and Sheikh Zayed, with Heliopolis, Rehab, Madinaty and 6th of October also strong family rental areas.
Families in these Cairo neighborhoods usually pay about EGP 45,000 to EGP 110,000 per month for good 2-bedroom or 3-bedroom apartments, or roughly USD 900 to USD 2,200 and EUR 780 to EUR 1,900.
These Cairo neighborhoods attract families because they offer larger apartments, schools, parking, calmer streets, compounds, green space and better building maintenance than many older central areas.
Important education anchors include Cairo American College in Maadi, the American University in Cairo in New Cairo, and international school clusters around New Cairo, Sheikh Zayed and 6th of October.
Which areas near transit or universities rent faster in Cairo in 2026?
As of 2026, the fastest-renting Cairo areas near transit or universities are Dokki and Giza near Cairo University, Maadi near Line 1, and Heliopolis or Nasr City near Line 3.
Correctly priced apartments in these high-demand Cairo areas often stay listed for about 20 to 35 days, compared with around 45 days for a normal market-rate Cairo rental.
In Cairo, being close to metro stations or major universities can add about EGP 3,000 to EGP 10,000 per month, or roughly USD 60 to USD 200 and EUR 50 to EUR 170, when the apartment is also clean and well priced.
Which neighborhoods are most popular with expats in Cairo right now?
The three most popular Cairo neighborhoods with expats are Zamalek, Maadi and New Cairo, while Garden City and Sheikh Zayed are also common for higher-budget renters.
Expats in these Cairo neighborhoods usually pay about EGP 45,000 to EGP 125,000 per month, or roughly USD 900 to USD 2,500 and EUR 780 to EUR 2,160.
These Cairo areas attract expats because they offer furnished apartments, international schools, security, English-speaking services, embassies or offices nearby, and neighborhoods that are easier to settle into.
The most visible expat communities in Cairo include Europeans, North Americans, Gulf nationals, diplomats, NGO workers, teachers, corporate staff and international students.
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Who rents, and what do tenants want in Cairo right now?
What tenant profiles dominate rentals in Cairo?
The top three tenant groups in Cairo are local families, young professionals and students, and expats or corporate assignees.
As a practical 2026 estimate, local families represent about 50% of the Cairo rental market, young professionals and students about 30%, and expats or corporate tenants about 20% of market-rate demand.
Local families usually want 2-bedroom or 3-bedroom unfurnished apartments, young professionals and students often want studios or shared flats, and expats usually want furnished apartments in Maadi, Zamalek, New Cairo or Sheikh Zayed.
Do tenants prefer furnished or unfurnished in Cairo?
In Cairo in 2026, about 40% of market-rate tenants prefer furnished rentals, while about 60% prefer unfurnished or semi-furnished rentals.
A furnished apartment in Cairo usually rents for 20% to 40% more than a similar unfurnished apartment, which often means an extra EGP 8,000 to EGP 25,000 per month, or roughly USD 160 to USD 500 and EUR 140 to EUR 430.
Furnished rentals in Cairo are mainly preferred by expats, diplomats, corporate assignees, students, short-to-medium stay professionals and foreign buyers testing the city before a longer commitment.
Which amenities increase rent the most in Cairo?
The five amenities that increase rent the most in Cairo are modern air conditioning, secure parking, a good elevator, strong building or compound security, and a renovated kitchen and bathroom.
In Cairo, these amenities can each add roughly EGP 2,000 to EGP 15,000 per month, or around USD 40 to USD 300 and EUR 35 to EUR 260, with the biggest premiums in Zamalek, Maadi, New Cairo and Sheikh Zayed.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Cairo, we cover what are the best investments a landlord can make.
What renovations get the best ROI for rentals in Cairo?
The best rental ROI renovations in Cairo are new bathrooms, a modern kitchen, split air conditioners, fresh neutral flooring or paint, and better lighting with repaired plumbing and electrics.
For a normal Cairo apartment, these upgrades can cost about EGP 80,000 to EGP 600,000, or roughly USD 1,600 to USD 12,000 and EUR 1,400 to EUR 10,300, and can raise rent by about EGP 3,000 to EGP 20,000 per month when the location is right.
Poor-ROI renovations in Cairo usually include very personal luxury finishes, heavy classic furniture, fragile imported materials, oversized decorative upgrades and expensive features that do not solve heat, water, parking or maintenance problems.
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How strong is rental demand in Cairo as of 2026?
What's the vacancy rate for rentals in Cairo as of 2026?
As of 2026, the estimated vacancy rate for market-rate rental properties in Cairo is about 9%.
Across Cairo, realistic vacancy is around 4% to 7% for well-priced apartments in Zamalek, Maadi and New Cairo, but it can reach 12% to 18% for overpriced luxury units or weak-location compound apartments.
Compared with the historical average, Cairo vacancy in 2026 looks normal to slightly high, because demand is strong but many landlords are asking rents that local tenants cannot afford.
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How many days do rentals stay listed in Cairo as of 2026?
As of 2026, a correctly priced rental apartment in Cairo stays listed for about 45 days on average.
In real life, prime furnished apartments in Cairo can rent in 15 to 30 days, normal family apartments often take 30 to 60 days, and overpriced luxury rentals can stay visible for more than 90 days.
Compared with one year ago, days on market in Cairo are broadly similar, but the best furnished units move faster while overpriced listings take longer because tenants are more price-sensitive.
Which months have peak tenant demand in Cairo?
The strongest tenant demand in Cairo usually comes from June to September, with a smaller second peak in January.
This Cairo seasonality is driven by school moves, expat arrivals, corporate relocation cycles, university terms and families trying to move before the school year starts.
The slowest months for Cairo rentals are usually late November, December and parts of February, when fewer families want to move and many tenants delay decisions.
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What will my monthly costs be in Cairo as of 2026?
What property taxes should landlords expect in Cairo as of 2026?
As of 2026, many landlords in Cairo should budget about EGP 2,000 to EGP 12,000 per year for real estate tax, or roughly USD 40 to USD 240 and EUR 35 to EUR 210.
Depending on the official assessed rental value and the location of the Cairo apartment, annual property tax can be very low or rise above EGP 20,000, which is about USD 400 or EUR 345.
Egyptian real estate tax is generally based on the official annual rental value, then a residential maintenance deduction is applied, and the tax is calculated on the taxable amount rather than on the market sale price.
Please note that, in our property pack covering the real estate market in Cairo, we cover what exemptions or deductions may be available to reduce property taxes for landlords.
What utilities do landlords often pay in Cairo right now?
In Cairo, landlords most often pay or contribute to major building maintenance, compound service charges, repairs, and sometimes water or internet in furnished expat rentals.
Typical landlord-paid costs in Cairo can be around EGP 500 to EGP 3,000 per month for building or compound items, while a basic household utility benchmark is about EGP 1,300 per month, or roughly USD 26 and EUR 22.
The common Cairo practice is that tenants pay electricity, gas, water, internet and doorman fees, while landlords usually cover major repairs, owner-level maintenance and larger building obligations.
How is rental income taxed in Cairo as of 2026?
As of 2026, rental income from a Cairo apartment is generally taxable in Egypt, and many individual landlords should plan for about 10% to 20% of net rental profit before personal details, residency rules or treaty effects are checked.
Common deductions for Cairo landlords can include maintenance, repairs, property-related costs and other allowable expenses, but the exact treatment should be confirmed with an Egyptian accountant.
The most common Cairo tax mistakes are confusing real estate tax with rental income tax, ignoring old-rent versus market-rent differences, not keeping lease records, and assuming a foreign owner has no Egyptian filing duty.
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What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it’s in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Cairo, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don’t throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we’ve listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why we trust it | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| CAPMAS | CAPMAS is Egypt’s official statistics agency, so it is the main source for population and consumer price data. | We used CAPMAS for the official inflation and demographic backdrop. We treated CAPMAS as a macro source, not as a rent-listing source. |
| Central Bank of Egypt | The Central Bank of Egypt publishes official inflation releases and is a key source for Egypt’s economic context. | We used CBE data to understand rent pressure in June 2026. We compared rent growth with urban inflation to avoid exaggerating the market. |
| JLL Cairo Living Q3 2025 | JLL is a major global real estate consultancy with dedicated Cairo residential market research. | We used JLL for Greater Cairo rent growth and demand direction. We used New Cairo and 6th of October growth figures as a hard market benchmark. |
| Savills Cairo Property Report 2025 | Savills is a major international real estate consultancy with strong coverage of prime residential markets. | We used Savills to understand higher-end Cairo residential demand. We used it for context, not as our only source for exact asking rents. |
| Property Finder Egypt | Property Finder is one of Egypt’s largest property portals and shows live asking rents. | We sampled current Cairo apartment listings by district and bedroom count. We used it to estimate real asking rents in the market. |
| Property Finder Zamalek | This page gives live asking rents in one of Cairo’s most expensive and most searched prime districts. | We used it to price the upper end of Cairo apartment rents. We compared Zamalek with Maadi and New Cairo to avoid overgeneralizing. |
| Property Finder Maadi | This page shows live supply in one of Cairo’s most important expat and family rental districts. | We used it to estimate mid-to-prime family rental ranges. We also checked furnished units, garden units and larger apartment demand. |
| Bayut Egypt | Bayut is a major regional portal and gives a useful second view of Cairo rental listings. | We used Bayut as a second portal check against Property Finder. We treated duplicate-looking and unusually expensive listings carefully. |
| Aqarmap | Aqarmap is a recognized Egyptian portal with broad local coverage beyond only prime expat areas. | We used Aqarmap to cross-check middle-market and outer Cairo rents. We gave it more weight for local-demand areas like Nasr City and 6th of October. |
| Numbeo Cairo | Numbeo is a transparent crowd-sourced cost database with useful lower-bound rent and utility benchmarks. | We used Numbeo only as a lower citywide benchmark. We did not rely on Numbeo alone because expat-quality Cairo listings are often much higher. |
| Real Estate Tax Authority | Egypt’s Real Estate Tax Authority explains the official property tax method. | We used it for landlord property-tax methodology. We applied the official logic instead of copying rough tax estimates from secondary sources. |
| Egyptian Electric Utility & Consumer Protection Regulatory Agency | This regulator publishes official electricity tariff tables for Egypt. | We used it for utility-cost assumptions in Cairo. We kept tenant-paid electricity separate from landlord-paid maintenance and service charges. |
| Cairo Governorate transport pages | Cairo Governorate provides official information about local transport and metro access. | We used it to identify areas where transit access can help rentals move faster. We cross-checked this with live listing liquidity by neighborhood. |
| American University in Cairo | AUC is a major university anchor and demand driver in New Cairo. | We used AUC to identify student, staff and family demand around New Cairo. We treated AUC as a demand node, not as a rent source. |
| Le Monde old-rent reform coverage | Le Monde is a major international newspaper and helps explain Cairo’s unusual legacy rent system. | We used it to explain the difference between old-rent contracts and market rents. We excluded old-rent contracts from our investor-focused rent estimates. |
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