Cost of living in Afghanistan compared to Malaysia
Currency:
Food | - 18% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Afghanistan is 18% cheaper than in Malaysia | ||||
Afghanistan | Malaysia | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 150 Afghani (RM9) | RM17 | - 48% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 300 Afghani (RM18) | RM19 | - 3% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 130 Afghani (RM8) | RM9 | - 17% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 40 Afghani (RM2.39) | RM8 | - 69% | |
12 eggs, large | 108 Afghani (RM6) | RM10 | - 35% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 25 Afghani (RM1.49) | RM6 | - 76% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 75 Afghani (RM4.48) | RM27 | - 84% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 50 Afghani (RM2.99) | RM12 | - 75% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 30 Afghani (RM1.79) | RM4.73 | - 62% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 276 Afghani (RM16) | RM12 | + 33% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,250 Afghani (RM75) | RM66 | + 13% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 120 Afghani (RM7) | RM4.72 | + 52% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | - | RM3.69 | - | |
Housing | - 20% | |||
Housing in Afghanistan is 20% cheaper than in Malaysia | ||||
Afghanistan | Malaysia | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | RM4,011 | - | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | RM2,283 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 5,000 Afghani (RM299) | RM254 | + 17% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 10,000 Afghani (RM597) | RM2,402 | - 75% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 10,000 Afghani (RM597) | RM1,376 | - 57% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,000 Afghani (RM119) | RM863 | - 86% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,500 Afghani (RM90) | RM111 | - 19% | |
40” flat screen tv | 15,000 Afghani (RM896) | RM1,876 | - 52% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 6,818 Afghani (RM407) | RM907 | - 55% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,000 Afghani (RM60) | RM33 | + 82% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | RM36 | - | |
Clothes | - 67% | |||
Clothes in Afghanistan is 67% cheaper than in Malaysia | ||||
Afghanistan | Malaysia | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 500 Afghani (RM30) | RM223 | - 87% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 700 Afghani (RM42) | RM142 | - 71% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 5,000 Afghani (RM299) | RM318 | - 6% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,500 Afghani (RM90) | RM314 | - 71% | |
Transportation | + 46% | |||
Transportation in Afghanistan is 46% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
Afghanistan | Malaysia | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | RM152,122 | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 78 Afghani (RM4.64) | RM2.07 | + 125% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 2,054 Afghani (RM123) | RM51 | + 140% | |
Personal Care | - 21% | |||
Personal Care in Afghanistan is 21% cheaper than in Malaysia | ||||
Afghanistan | Malaysia | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 69 Afghani (RM4.14) | RM9 | - 56% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 400 Afghani (RM24) | RM21 | + 14% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | RM91 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 250 Afghani (RM15) | RM44 | - 66% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 192 Afghani (RM11) | RM11 | + 8% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 290 Afghani (RM17) | RM14 | + 24% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 80 Afghani (RM4.78) | RM20 | - 77% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 90 Afghani (RM5.38) | RM7 | - 22% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 350 Afghani (RM21) | RM28 | - 26% | |
Entertainment | - 2% | |||
Entertainment in Afghanistan is about the same as in Malaysia | ||||
Afghanistan | Malaysia | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | - | RM115 | - | |
2 tickets to the movies | - | RM41 | - | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | RM211 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | RM129 | - | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 900 Afghani (RM54) | RM41 | + 31% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 800 Afghani (RM48) | RM13 | + 258% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 200 Afghani (RM12) | RM19 | - 38% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | RM2,145 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 3.60 Afghani (RM0.22) | RM0.17 | + 29% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,000 Afghani (RM60) | RM201 | - 70% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 200 Afghani (RM12) | RM18 | - 34% | |
TOTAL | - 7% |

These prices were last updated on September 19, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.05973
MYR
/
AFN
Cost of living in Afghanistan is 7% cheaper than in Malaysia
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