Manila vs. Cairo: Detailed 2026 Comparison

# Manila vs. Cairo: Detailed 2026 Cost of Living & Quality Comparison

Quality of Life

Climate Index

61.2 / 88.5

Cost of Living Index

35.3 / 22.8

Manila   Cairo

Cairo offers a significantly better quality of life overall, with a higher Quality of Life Index (76.47 vs. 69.47). Cairo residents experience less crime (safety index 50.2 vs. 40.33), better climate conditions (88.45 vs. 66.36), and slightly better healthcare access (46.33). However, both cities face challenges in healthcare quality and environmental pollution (90.56 for Cairo vs. 84.42 for Manila). Cairo's higher quality score is primarily driven by lower crime rates and a more favorable climate.

Cost of Living

Health Care Index

62.5 / 46.3

Pollution Index

89.5 / 90.6

Manila   Cairo

Cairo presents a dramatically lower cost of living, with an overall index of 22.82 compared to Manila's 69.47. This translates to significantly lower expenses for groceries, household items, transportation, and dining out. While salaries are also lower in Cairo, the purchasing power is considerably higher. Basic utilities are slightly cheaper in Cairo ($26.04 vs. $38.89), and even the most expensive items like cars are more affordable ($29,256 vs. $38,664).

Housing

Property Price to Income Ratio

37.3 / 19.1

Purchasing Power Index

37.4 / 24.9

Manila   Cairo

Cairo has much more affordable housing options relative to its cost of living and salaries. The city-center price per square meter is $908 vs. $2,508 in Manila, and the overall property price-to-income ratio is 19.13 vs. 33.63. While absolute prices are still lower in Cairo, the difference is less pronounced than in other cost categories.

Transportation

Quality of Life Index

52.2 / 76.5

Safety Index

35.4 / 50.2

Manila   Cairo

Cairo offers significantly cheaper transportation costs. A monthly public transport pass costs $7.21 vs. $12.26 in Manila, and gasoline is much less expensive ($0.39 vs. $1.06 per liter). However, commute times are similar (49.64 vs. 50.23 minutes), potentially impacting daily routine and stress levels equally.

Healthcare

Traffic Commute Time Index

50.7 / 49.6

Manila   Cairo

Both cities present significant challenges regarding healthcare quality, with identical indices of 46.33. Neither offers world-class medical facilities, but Cairo has slightly more developed healthcare infrastructure due to its larger size and higher GDP. Access to quality healthcare remains a major concern