Hurghada Cost of Living 2025 — The Complete Expat Budget Guide

Housing Costs

Renting: a furnished 1-bedroom apartment in a good compound with pool: £200–£400/month. 2-bedroom: £300–£600/month. El Gouna commands a premium — expect 20–30% above central Hurghada prices for comparable quality. Buying: studios from £15,000, 1-bedroom from £25,000, 2-bedroom from £40,000. Annual service charges on owned properties: £300–£800/year depending on compound size and facilities. Compare: a comparable furnished 1-bedroom in a Spanish or Portuguese coastal resort rents for £600–£1,200/month.

Food and Dining

Groceries (local market): £100–£150/month for a couple eating well. International brands from Metro Market or Spinneys: £200–£300/month. Eating out at local Egyptian restaurants: £1–£5 per meal. Tourist restaurants on the marina: £8–£20 per meal. El Gouna restaurants (the best in the area): £15–£35 per meal.

A couple can eat very well — a mix of home cooking and regular restaurant meals — for £200–£350/month total food budget. The same lifestyle in Spain or Portugal costs £600–£900/month.

Utilities and Services

Electricity: £30–£80/month depending on air conditioning use (very high in summer). Water: £10–£20/month. Internet: £20–£40/month for good broadband (speeds have improved significantly — most areas now have 50–100Mbps available). Mobile: £5–£15/month for a local SIM with generous data. Satellite/streaming TV: £15–£30/month for international packages. Total utilities: approximately £80–£170/month.

Transport

Uber/Careem: very cheap — monthly transport budget of £50–£80 covers most needs without a car. Car ownership: older European cars available from £3,000–£8,000. Fuel: approximately 40–50% of UK prices. Car insurance: £100–£300/year. Most expats in central Hurghada manage without a car using Uber. El Gouna residents cycle or use tuk-tuks internally.

Total Monthly Budget

Budget expat lifestyle (renting, local food, minimal dining out): £400–£600/month all-in excluding flights home. Comfortable expat lifestyle (owned property with service charges, mix of local and tourist dining, occasional excursions): £700–£1,000/month. Comfortable El Gouna lifestyle (owned property, regular El Gouna dining, full activities): £1,200–£1,800/month. UK state pension (approximately £900/month in 2025) covers a comfortable Hurghada lifestyle — a significant driver of the retirement expat community.