Cost of living in Afghanistan compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 12% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Afghanistan is 12% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Afghanistan | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 100 Afghani (10元) | 41元 | - 75% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 450 Afghani (46元) | 38元 | + 21% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 230 Afghani (24元) | 15元 | + 61% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 80 Afghani (8元) | 14元 | - 41% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 96 Afghani (10元) | 16元 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 40 Afghani (4.12元) | 10元 | - 61% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 500 Afghani (51元) | 50元 | + 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 100 Afghani (10元) | 16元 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 30 Afghani (3.09元) | 6元 | - 52% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 276 Afghani (28元) | 7元 | + 324% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,250 Afghani (129元) | 89元 | + 45% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 60 Afghani (6元) | 8元 | - 23% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 13 Afghani (1.29元) | 13元 | - 90% | |
| Housing | - 22% | |||
| Housing in Afghanistan is 22% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Afghanistan | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 120,400 Afghani (12,395元) | 11,256元 | + 10% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 17,500 Afghani (1,802元) | 5,248元 | - 66% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,000 Afghani (206元) | 450元 | - 54% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 10,000 Afghani (1,029元) | 6,564元 | - 84% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 10,000 Afghani (1,029元) | 3,518元 | - 71% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,000 Afghani (206元) | 296元 | - 30% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,500 Afghani (154元) | 100元 | + 55% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 25,830 Afghani (2,659元) | 1,460元 | + 82% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 6,818 Afghani (702元) | 553元 | + 27% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,000 Afghani (103元) | 43元 | + 140% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 50元 | - | |
| Clothes | - 67% | |||
| Clothes in Afghanistan is 67% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Afghanistan | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,200 Afghani (124元) | 418元 | - 70% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 700 Afghani (72元) | 302元 | - 76% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 3,225 Afghani (332元) | 553元 | - 40% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,000 Afghani (309元) | 705元 | - 56% | |
| Transportation | - 4% | |||
| Transportation in Afghanistan is about the same as in China | ||||
| Afghanistan | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | 137,169元 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 70 Afghani (7元) | 8元 | - 4% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 2,054 Afghani (211元) | 228元 | - 7% | |
| Personal Care | - 19% | |||
| Personal Care in Afghanistan is 19% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Afghanistan | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 360 Afghani (37元) | 45元 | - 17% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 120 Afghani (12元) | 59元 | - 79% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | 114元 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 250 Afghani (26元) | 67元 | - 62% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 500 Afghani (51元) | 57元 | - 10% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 220 Afghani (23元) | 25元 | - 9% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 80 Afghani (8元) | 6元 | + 34% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 90 Afghani (9元) | 15元 | - 40% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 250 Afghani (26元) | 64元 | - 60% | |
| Entertainment | - 19% | |||
| Entertainment in Afghanistan is 19% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Afghanistan | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 300 Afghani (31元) | 169元 | - 82% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | 100元 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 1,179元 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | 320元 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 900 Afghani (93元) | 81元 | + 14% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 120 Afghani (12元) | 28元 | - 55% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | 19元 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | 3,680元 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 3.00 Afghani (0.31元) | 0.34元 | - 8% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,500 Afghani (154元) | 394元 | - 61% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 350 Afghani (36元) | 25元 | + 45% | |
| TOTAL | - 18% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 792 prices entered by 119 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 06, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.10295
CNY
/
AFN
Cost of living in Afghanistan is 18% cheaper than in China
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