An expandable composite resin bead comprises: a composite resin containing a polyethylene resin and a polystyrene resin; and a blowing agent impregnating the composite resin. The composite resin contains 5 to 20 mass % of the polyethylene resin and 80 to 95 mass % of the polystyrene resin. The blowing agent is an organic physical blowing agent. Furthermore, in the expandable composite resin bead, a predetermined swelling degree in methyl ethyl ketone at a temperature of 23° C. is not lower than 1.25.