Cost of living in Afghanistan compared to Pakistan
Currency:
Food | + 21% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Afghanistan is 21% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Afghanistan | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 150 Afghani (₨552) | ₨839 | - 34% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 300 Afghani (₨1,103) | ₨945 | + 17% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 130 Afghani (₨478) | ₨390 | + 23% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 40 Afghani (₨147) | ₨181 | - 19% | |
12 eggs, large | 108 Afghani (₨397) | ₨288 | + 38% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 25 Afghani (₨92) | ₨155 | - 41% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 75 Afghani (₨276) | ₨1,152 | - 76% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 50 Afghani (₨184) | ₨301 | - 39% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 30 Afghani (₨110) | ₨102 | + 8% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 276 Afghani (₨1,014) | ₨526 | + 93% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,250 Afghani (₨4,596) | ₨2,499 | + 84% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 120 Afghani (₨441) | ₨285 | + 55% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | - | ₨158 | - | |
Housing | + 0% | |||
Housing in Afghanistan is about the same as in Pakistan | ||||
Afghanistan | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | ₨142,061 | - | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | ₨74,163 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 5,000 Afghani (₨18,386) | ₨28,365 | - 35% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 10,000 Afghani (₨36,772) | ₨66,338 | - 45% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 10,000 Afghani (₨36,772) | ₨45,515 | - 19% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,000 Afghani (₨7,354) | ₨24,587 | - 70% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,500 Afghani (₨5,516) | ₨2,091 | + 164% | |
40” flat screen tv | 15,000 Afghani (₨55,158) | ₨71,861 | - 23% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 6,818 Afghani (₨25,071) | ₨27,957 | - 10% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,000 Afghani (₨3,677) | ₨1,360 | + 170% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ₨1,526 | - | |
Clothes | - 45% | |||
Clothes in Afghanistan is 45% cheaper than in Pakistan | ||||
Afghanistan | Pakistan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 500 Afghani (₨1,839) | ₨4,252 | - 57% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 700 Afghani (₨2,574) | ₨6,291 | - 59% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 5,000 Afghani (₨18,386) | ₨15,780 | + 17% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,500 Afghani (₨5,516) | ₨10,255 | - 46% | |
Transportation | + 20% | |||
Transportation in Afghanistan is 20% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Afghanistan | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | ₨4,775,380 | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 78 Afghani (₨286) | ₨271 | + 5% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 2,054 Afghani (₨7,554) | ₨4,513 | + 67% | |
Personal Care | + 1% | |||
Personal Care in Afghanistan is about the same as in Pakistan | ||||
Afghanistan | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 69 Afghani (₨255) | ₨729 | - 65% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 400 Afghani (₨1,471) | ₨884 | + 66% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | ₨2,402 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 250 Afghani (₨919) | ₨2,247 | - 59% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 192 Afghani (₨707) | ₨772 | - 8% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 290 Afghani (₨1,066) | ₨677 | + 58% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 80 Afghani (₨294) | ₨208 | + 41% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 90 Afghani (₨331) | ₨221 | + 50% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 350 Afghani (₨1,287) | ₨2,282 | - 44% | |
Entertainment | + 16% | |||
Entertainment in Afghanistan is 16% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Afghanistan | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | - | ₨2,878 | - | |
2 tickets to the movies | - | ₨2,278 | - | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ₨3,647 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | ₨7,900 | - | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 900 Afghani (₨3,309) | ₨2,449 | + 35% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 800 Afghani (₨2,942) | ₨675 | + 336% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 200 Afghani (₨737) | ₨764 | - 4% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | ₨71,370 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 3.60 Afghani (₨13) | ₨3.52 | + 276% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,000 Afghani (₨3,677) | ₨3,578 | + 3% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 200 Afghani (₨735) | ₨521 | + 41% | |
TOTAL | + 10% |

These prices were last updated on September 25, 2023.
Exchange rate:
3.677
PKR
/
AFN
*
Cost of living in Afghanistan is 10% more expensive than in Pakistan
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