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City Profile

Ismailia, Cairo

Egypt · Comprehensive city data and intelligence

Compare Ismailia Custom Comparison
68
Overall Score

Ismailia is a historic city situated on the west bank of the Suez Canal in northeastern Egypt, founded in 1863 during the canal's construction by Khedive Ismail Pasha. Designed as a European-style administrative center, it rapidly evolved into a crucial hub for international trade and transit. The city's strategic location and distinctive colonial-era architecture contribute to its unique character, attracting residents who value its blend of history, relative tranquility, and proximity to vital shipping routes. Its development has been intrinsically linked to the Suez Canal, shaping its economy and urban landscape for over a century.

About Cairo

Cairo, Egypt, is a bustling metropolis that serves as the capital and economic heart of the country, blending ancient history with rapid modernization. Its economy is diverse, with major industries including textiles, publishing, film, iron and steel production, financial services, and a significant tourism sector driven by its proximity to historical landmarks. Living in Cairo generally offers a reasonable cost of living compared to many major global cities, though housing costs vary by neighborhood. The city experiences a desert climate with two main seasons: a long, hot, and arid summer from May to October, and a cooler, dry winter from November to April. Daily life is often fast-paced and vibrant, characterized by busy streets and a mix of traditional and modern lifestyles.

390,000
Population
$2K
Avg Salary
32
Cost Index
67.8
Quality Score
How this 68/100 was calculated five components, with every reading behind them
Component Readings used Points Weight Contributes
Safety Safety score: 72 / 100 72.0 30% 21.6
Affordability Cost of living index (100 = national baseline): 32.0 100.0 25% 25.0
Economy & jobs Median household income: $15,000 Income needed to live here: $55,000 Unemployment rate: 5.5% 28.1 20% 5.6
Growth Population growth rate: 1.2% Job growth rate: 2.1% 58.5 15% 8.8
Business climate assessment Business climate assessment: 68 / 100 68.0 10% 6.8
Overall score 67.8

Provenance. These figures were produced by the research pass recorded as Gemini (Tier 3 (deep think), q=80), last refreshed 29 September 2026. They are researched estimates drawn from public sources, not a licensed data feed.

Each component is scored against fixed published endpoints, so this number is comparable with any other city and does not move as the dataset grows. Scoring framework 2026.10 — full methodology, weights and accepted ranges.

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Performance

Quality Scores

Business
68
Livability
74
Affordability
65
Growth
70

Expenses

Cost of Living

Ismailia generally offers a moderate cost of living, particularly when compared to major global cities or even Cairo. Housing costs are notably more affordable, with rental prices for apartments significantly lower than in the capital. While utility expenses are standard, the cost of imported goods or specialized services can be higher. Overall, Ismailia provides a more budget-friendly lifestyle, largely driven by lower housing and local transportation expenses.

Average Rent
$95/mo
Groceries
$450/mo
Transport
$120/mo
Utilities
$180/mo
Healthcare
$250/mo
Gym membership (monthly)
$45.00
Cinema ticket
$14.00
Restaurant meal (mid-range)
$15.00
Monthly groceries
$400.00
Doctor visit (without insurance)
$100.00

Income

Salary Insights

The economy of Ismailia is heavily influenced by its strategic position on the Suez Canal, with many job opportunities linked to port operations, logistics, and maritime services. The agricultural sector, especially fruit cultivation, is also a significant contributor, providing employment and driving exports. While tourism is a growing sector, leveraging the city's historical sites and canal views, the presence of administrative and service industries supporting the Suez Canal Authority also bolsters the job market, offering diverse roles.

The average salary in Ismailia is $1,920 per year. You would need approximately $55,000 to live comfortably.

Employment

Top Industries

Tourism +3.00% Agriculture +2.00% Light Manufacturing +1.80% Suez Canal Operations +1.50% Services & Administration +2.20%

Weather

Climate

🌡️
23°C
Avg Temp
☀️
38°C
Summer High
❄️
10°C
Winter Low
🌧️
0.50"
Annual Rain
💧
65.00%
Humidity
🌤️
362
Sunny Days

Mobility

Transport

Navigating Ismailia involves a mix of public and private transport. Taxis and microbuses are common and affordable for local travel. While public transit infrastructure is developing, car ownership is prevalent, and driving is a primary mode of transport. The city's layout is manageable, and for those in central areas, walking and cycling are viable for shorter distances.

28 min
Avg Commute
40.00/10
Transit Score
55.00/10
Walkability
Medium
Car Dependency
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At a Glance

Pros & Cons

Advantages
Strategic location on the Suez Canal, offering unique economic opportunities and international connectivity.
Relatively affordable cost of living compared to major Egyptian cities like Cairo.
Generally safe environment with lower crime rates than many other urban centers.
Pleasant climate and scenic waterfront areas conducive to outdoor activities.
Rich historical heritage tied to the construction and operation of the Suez Canal.
Drawbacks
Economy heavily reliant on the Suez Canal, making it susceptible to global shipping fluctuations.
Limited public transportation options may increase car dependency for some residents.
Fewer large-scale entertainment and cultural venues compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Access to highly specialized healthcare or advanced educational institutions might require travel to Cairo.
Potential for high summer temperatures, though mitigated by coastal breezes.

Head to Head

Compare Ismailia

Ismailia VS Grants Pass Ismailia VS Cincinnati Ismailia VS Binghamton Ismailia VS Tigard

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Nearby Cities

Suez
74
Damietta
75
Cairo
60
Giza
64

Community Q&A

Questions about Ismailia

What people ask about living in and moving to Ismailia, Cairo.

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Gathering the most common questions about Ismailia…

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

The consumer market basket tracks everyday necessities, including staple grocery items (such as milk, bread, eggs, and produce), residential energy bills (electricity, gas, and water), public and private transit costs, routine outpatient medical care, and standard consumer goods and services to ensure a representative monthly budget.

Even in close geographic proximity, local tax jurisdictions, municipal utility rates, zoning laws, and micro-housing markets can create wide cost discrepancies. For example, a city with strict land-use regulations or higher local sales taxes will typically exhibit elevated housing and consumer goods costs compared to an adjacent county with looser zoning and lower tax burdens.

Even in close geographic proximity, local tax jurisdictions, municipal utility rates, zoning laws, and micro-housing markets can create wide cost discrepancies. For example, a city with strict land-use regulations or higher local sales taxes will typically exhibit elevated housing and consumer goods costs compared to an adjacent county with looser zoning and lower tax burdens.

Local tax climates significantly shift a city's affordability score by directly affecting disposable income. Urblytica factors in state income tax brackets, local municipal property tax millage rates, and combined sales taxes to measure the true tax drag on median household earnings.

Core economic indexes and consumer price metrics undergo a comprehensive quarterly recalibration. This update cycle integrates the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, municipal utility rate adjustments, and regional housing data feeds to ensure all index comparisons reflect current economic conditions.

Housing is weighted as the single largest component in Urblytica's cost-of-living algorithm, typically accounting for roughly 30% to 35% of the composite score. It incorporates both median monthly gross rent and median single-family home purchase prices relative to local median income levels.

Normalization involves adjusting raw economic inputs against localized purchasing power parities (PPPs) and population-weighted density scales. This ensures fair, apples-to-apples comparisons between dense metropolitan hubs and smaller suburban or rural towns.

Utility indexing applies a rolling annual average that captures seasonal climate variations, such as increased summer air conditioning loads in southern climates or heavier winter heating demands in northern regions, providing a realistic year-round average utility expense.

Remote workers leverage the index to calculate real purchasing power parity when moving from a high-cost-of-living area to a lower-cost region. By comparing index differentials against their fixed salary, users can determine if their net savings and lifestyle quality will improve post-relocation.

While the raw Cost of Living Index measures pure expense levels, it is frequently paired with Urblytica’s local wage index and median household income benchmarks. This combined view highlights whether local salaries keep pace with local consumer goods and housing expenses.

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