Cost of living in Afghanistan compared to China
Currency:
Food | - 33% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Afghanistan is 33% cheaper than in China | ||||
Afghanistan | China | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 150 Afghani (12元) | 46元 | - 74% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 300 Afghani (24元) | 40元 | - 39% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 130 Afghani (10元) | 16元 | - 34% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 40 Afghani (3.23元) | 18元 | - 82% | |
12 eggs, large | 108 Afghani (9元) | 19元 | - 54% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 25 Afghani (2.02元) | 11元 | - 81% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 75 Afghani (6元) | 63元 | - 90% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 50 Afghani (4.04元) | 15元 | - 74% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 30 Afghani (2.42元) | 6元 | - 62% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 276 Afghani (22元) | 7元 | + 204% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,250 Afghani (101元) | 118元 | - 14% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 120 Afghani (10元) | 8元 | + 15% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | - | 16元 | - | |
Housing | - 28% | |||
Housing in Afghanistan is 28% cheaper than in China | ||||
Afghanistan | China | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | 15,059元 | - | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | 9,006元 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 5,000 Afghani (404元) | 421元 | - 4% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 10,000 Afghani (807元) | 7,547元 | - 89% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 10,000 Afghani (807元) | 4,347元 | - 81% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,000 Afghani (161元) | 262元 | - 38% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,500 Afghani (121元) | 115元 | + 5% | |
40” flat screen tv | 15,000 Afghani (1,211元) | 1,086元 | + 12% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 6,818 Afghani (551元) | 589元 | - 6% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,000 Afghani (81元) | 39元 | + 109% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 51元 | - | |
Clothes | - 77% | |||
Clothes in Afghanistan is 77% cheaper than in China | ||||
Afghanistan | China | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 500 Afghani (40元) | 529元 | - 92% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 700 Afghani (57元) | 248元 | - 77% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 5,000 Afghani (404元) | 626元 | - 35% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,500 Afghani (121元) | 828元 | - 85% | |
Transportation | - 12% | |||
Transportation in Afghanistan is 12% cheaper than in China | ||||
Afghanistan | China | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | 161,247元 | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 78 Afghani (6元) | 9元 | - 27% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 2,054 Afghani (166元) | 204元 | - 19% | |
Personal Care | - 37% | |||
Personal Care in Afghanistan is 37% cheaper than in China | ||||
Afghanistan | China | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 69 Afghani (5.60元) | 39元 | - 86% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 400 Afghani (32元) | 27元 | + 20% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | 391元 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 250 Afghani (20元) | 53元 | - 62% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 192 Afghani (16元) | 33元 | - 53% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 290 Afghani (23元) | 34元 | - 32% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 80 Afghani (6元) | 13元 | - 51% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 90 Afghani (7元) | 15元 | - 51% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 350 Afghani (28元) | 74元 | - 62% | |
Entertainment | - 8% | |||
Entertainment in Afghanistan is 8% cheaper than in China | ||||
Afghanistan | China | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | - | 265元 | - | |
2 tickets to the movies | - | 110元 | - | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 1,294元 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | 348元 | - | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 900 Afghani (73元) | 79元 | - 8% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 800 Afghani (65元) | 29元 | + 120% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 200 Afghani (16元) | 18元 | - 10% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | 3,321元 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 3.60 Afghani (0.29元) | 0.20元 | + 45% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,000 Afghani (81元) | 410元 | - 80% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 200 Afghani (16元) | 24元 | - 33% | |
TOTAL | - 26% |

These prices were last updated on May 30, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.08075
CNY
/
AFN
Cost of living in Afghanistan is 26% cheaper than in China
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