Cost of living in Afghanistan compared to India
Currency:
| Food | + 30% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Afghanistan is 30% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Afghanistan | India | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 235 Afghani (₨292) | ₨411 | - 29% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 450 Afghani (₨558) | ₨361 | + 55% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 230 Afghani (₨285) | ₨182 | + 57% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 80 Afghani (₨99) | ₨62 | + 60% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 96 Afghani (₨119) | ₨102 | + 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 40 Afghani (₨50) | ₨44 | + 14% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 500 Afghani (₨620) | ₨243 | + 156% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 100 Afghani (₨124) | ₨186 | - 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 30 Afghani (₨37) | ₨41 | - 8% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 276 Afghani (₨342) | ₨163 | + 110% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,250 Afghani (₨1,550) | ₨913 | + 70% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 60 Afghani (₨74) | ₨91 | - 19% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 13 Afghani (₨15) | ₨39 | - 60% | |
| Housing | + 62% | |||
| Housing in Afghanistan is 62% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Afghanistan | India | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 120,400 Afghani (₨149,295) | ₨42,568 | + 251% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 17,500 Afghani (₨21,700) | ₨26,736 | - 19% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,000 Afghani (₨2,480) | ₨5,123 | - 52% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 10,000 Afghani (₨12,400) | ₨28,833 | - 57% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 10,000 Afghani (₨12,400) | ₨17,547 | - 29% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,000 Afghani (₨2,480) | ₨4,724 | - 48% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,500 Afghani (₨1,860) | ₨652 | + 185% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 25,830 Afghani (₨32,029) | ₨26,371 | + 21% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 6,818 Afghani (₨8,454) | ₨11,993 | - 30% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,000 Afghani (₨1,240) | ₨484 | + 156% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ₨604 | - | |
| Clothes | - 42% | |||
| Clothes in Afghanistan is 42% cheaper than in India | ||||
| Afghanistan | India | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,200 Afghani (₨1,488) | ₨2,322 | - 36% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 700 Afghani (₨868) | ₨2,519 | - 66% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 3,225 Afghani (₨4,000) | ₨3,978 | + 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,000 Afghani (₨3,720) | ₨2,853 | + 30% | |
| Transportation | + 13% | |||
| Transportation in Afghanistan is 13% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Afghanistan | India | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | ₨1,528,690 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 70 Afghani (₨87) | ₨104 | - 16% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 2,054 Afghani (₨2,547) | ₨1,661 | + 53% | |
| Personal Care | + 39% | |||
| Personal Care in Afghanistan is 39% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Afghanistan | India | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 360 Afghani (₨446) | ₨100 | + 348% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 120 Afghani (₨149) | ₨233 | - 36% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | ₨1,257 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 250 Afghani (₨310) | ₨329 | - 6% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 500 Afghani (₨620) | ₨243 | + 155% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 220 Afghani (₨273) | ₨283 | - 4% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 80 Afghani (₨99) | ₨189 | - 47% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 90 Afghani (₨112) | ₨89 | + 25% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 250 Afghani (₨310) | ₨307 | + 1% | |
| Entertainment | - 10% | |||
| Entertainment in Afghanistan is 10% cheaper than in India | ||||
| Afghanistan | India | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 300 Afghani (₨372) | ₨1,365 | - 73% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | ₨545 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ₨1,704 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | ₨2,328 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 900 Afghani (₨1,116) | ₨865 | + 29% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 120 Afghani (₨149) | ₨261 | - 43% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | ₨197 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | ₨43,773 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 3.00 Afghani (₨3.72) | ₨8 | - 55% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,500 Afghani (₨1,860) | ₨1,536 | + 21% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 350 Afghani (₨434) | ₨249 | + 74% | |
| TOTAL | + 19% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 3,487 prices entered by 456 different people.
These prices were last updated on July 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.240
INR
/
AFN
Cost of living in Afghanistan is 19% more expensive than in India
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