Saint-Louis vs Aswan: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Aswan costs roughly 33% less than Saint-Louis. Beyond cost, the two cities are closely matched — lifestyle fit and visa options are likely the deciding factors. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Aswan is approximately 60% less expensive than Saint-Louis based on cost of living including rent. This makes Aswan a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Aswan has a FIRE Score of 85/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 70, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Aswan is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Saint-Louis
Saint-Louis is a cheap, walkable colonial island town where a one-bedroom in the center runs $320/mo and a single adult can live on a budget tier of $740/mo, all within 4 km of XLS. The catch is that you pay for it with 9 Mbps internet, limited English, a small expat community, and fair healthcare, which explains the digital nomad score of 49/100. Retirees get a middling 54/100, and the arid climate plus a safety index of 50/100 will not suit everyone. Come for the low costs and the Isle of Saint-Louis, not for the infrastructure.
About Senegal
Low English proficiency and a progressive tax rate up to 40% make Senegal a hard sell for casual retirees. This fits Francophone expats with location-independent income who value stability. Budget around $872.70/mo total, with 1BR city-center rent at $779.27. A 3-bedroom outside the city center goes for about $883.59.
$1,950/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
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About Aswan
Aswan is a cheap place to live, with a cost of living index of 25/100 and 1-bedroom rent in the city center at just $200/mo, so a single adult can get by on a budget tier of $550/mo. The catch is that English proficiency is limited, the expat community is small, and the retiree score of 58/100 and digital nomad score of 60/100 suggest it suits a certain kind of person rather than everyone. If you want a low-cost base with an arid climate and a safety index of 70/100, Aswan delivers, but do not expect a big social scene or fast internet at 25 Mbps.
About Egypt
Political stability of -0.98 and no digital nomad visa rule this out for remote workers wanting a straightforward path. But retirees on tight budgets get a real deal: $338/mo living costs, $147 rent, and no dedicated retirement visa. This is for budget-focused retirees who can handle bureaucratic friction, not remote-work nomads or safety-first movers.
$2,100/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
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Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Saint-Louis | Aswan |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $320 | $200 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $220 | $150 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $620 | $450 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $420 | $300 |
| Safety Index | 50 | 70 |
| Internet Speed | 8.5Mbps | 25Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
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