Alexandria vs Shenyang: Cost of Living Comparison

Rent is the primary driver of the cost difference. In Alexandria, a modern one-bedroom apartment in a desirable district can often be found for $150 to $300 USD per month. In Shenyang, while rent is lower than in coastal Chinese cities, a similar apartment would typically cost between $350 and $550 USD. Property prices per square meter in Alexandria are also lower, though Shenyang's real estate market offers more standardized high-rise developments with modern heating and insulation, which are essential for its cold winters.

Food costs in Alexandria are remarkably low, particularly for fresh local produce and street food. A meal at an inexpensive local restaurant in Alexandria may cost $2 to $4 USD, whereas in Shenyang, a comparable meal at a local dumpling house or noodle shop would be $5 to $8 USD. Grocery shopping for staples like bread, milk, and eggs is roughly 20% cheaper in Alexandria, although Shenyang offers a wider variety of imported goods and high-end supermarket chains.

Shenyang features a modern, extensive metro system and a highly efficient bus network, with fares typically costing less than $0.50 USD per trip. Alexandria relies on its historic (though slower) tram system, micro-buses, and very cheap taxis. While a taxi ride in Alexandria is one of the cheapest in the world, Shenyang’s public transport infrastructure is significantly more advanced and reliable. Fuel prices are generally lower in Egypt due to government subsidies compared to the market rates in China.

Utilities in Alexandria (electricity, water, garbage) for a standard apartment are very inexpensive, often totaling less than $40 USD per month. In Shenyang, utilities are more expensive—averaging $60 to $100 USD—largely due to the mandatory centralized heating costs during the long winter months. Lifestyle activities such as cinema tickets, gym memberships, and coffee are more affordable in Alexandria, though Shenyang offers more diverse modern entertainment venues and shopping malls.

There are no direct flight routes between Alexandria (HBE) and Shenyang (SHE). Travelers must typically plan for a two-stop journey. The most common route involves flying from Alexandria to a hub like Dubai (DXB), Istanbul (IST), or Doha (DOH), then connecting to a major Chinese gateway like Beijing (PEK) or Shanghai (PVG), followed by a final domestic flight or high-speed train to Shenyang. The total travel time usually exceeds 18 to 22 hours.