Cost of living in Afghanistan compared to Russia
Currency:
Food | - 2% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Afghanistan is about the same as in Russia | ||||
Afghanistan | Russia | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 100 Afghani (руб 114) | руб 494 | - 77% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 450 Afghani (руб 513) | руб 361 | + 42% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 230 Afghani (руб 262) | руб 213 | + 23% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 80 Afghani (руб 91) | руб 86 | + 6% | |
12 eggs, large | 96 Afghani (руб 109) | руб 137 | - 20% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 40 Afghani (руб 46) | руб 208 | - 78% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 500 Afghani (руб 570) | руб 441 | + 29% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 100 Afghani (руб 114) | руб 128 | - 11% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 30 Afghani (руб 34) | руб 58 | - 42% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 276 Afghani (руб 314) | руб 84 | + 274% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,250 Afghani (руб 1,425) | руб 692 | + 106% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 60 Afghani (руб 68) | руб 175 | - 61% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 13 Afghani (руб 14) | руб 43 | - 67% | |
Housing | - 11% | |||
Housing in Afghanistan is 11% cheaper than in Russia | ||||
Afghanistan | Russia | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 120,400 Afghani (руб 137,255) | руб 102,249 | + 34% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 17,500 Afghani (руб 19,950) | руб 56,047 | - 64% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,000 Afghani (руб 2,280) | руб 7,760 | - 71% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 10,000 Afghani (руб 11,400) | руб 52,573 | - 78% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 10,000 Afghani (руб 11,400) | руб 33,044 | - 66% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,000 Afghani (руб 2,280) | руб 5,587 | - 59% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,500 Afghani (руб 1,710) | руб 958 | + 78% | |
40” flat screen tv | 25,830 Afghani (руб 29,446) | руб 20,885 | + 41% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 6,818 Afghani (руб 7,772) | руб 7,221 | + 8% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,000 Afghani (руб 1,140) | руб 548 | + 108% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | руб 618 | - | |
Clothes | - 72% | |||
Clothes in Afghanistan is 72% cheaper than in Russia | ||||
Afghanistan | Russia | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,200 Afghani (руб 1,368) | руб 6,816 | - 80% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 700 Afghani (руб 798) | руб 3,176 | - 75% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 3,225 Afghani (руб 3,677) | руб 7,907 | - 53% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,000 Afghani (руб 3,420) | руб 6,921 | - 51% | |
Transportation | + 5% | |||
Transportation in Afghanistan is 5% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
Afghanistan | Russia | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | руб 2,485,230 | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 70 Afghani (руб 80) | руб 56 | + 43% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 2,054 Afghani (руб 2,342) | руб 2,318 | + 1% | |
Personal Care | + 30% | |||
Personal Care in Afghanistan is 30% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
Afghanistan | Russia | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 360 Afghani (руб 410) | руб 270 | + 52% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 120 Afghani (руб 137) | руб 515 | - 73% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | руб 1,977 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 250 Afghani (руб 285) | руб 320 | - 11% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 500 Afghani (руб 570) | руб 187 | + 205% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 220 Afghani (руб 251) | руб 172 | + 46% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 80 Afghani (руб 91) | руб 123 | - 26% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 90 Afghani (руб 103) | руб 132 | - 23% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 250 Afghani (руб 285) | руб 589 | - 52% | |
Entertainment | - 31% | |||
Entertainment in Afghanistan is 31% cheaper than in Russia | ||||
Afghanistan | Russia | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 300 Afghani (руб 342) | руб 1,593 | - 79% | |
2 tickets to the movies | - | руб 680 | - | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | руб 6,005 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | руб 3,237 | - | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 900 Afghani (руб 1,026) | руб 473 | + 117% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 120 Afghani (руб 137) | руб 177 | - 23% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | руб 236 | - | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | руб 50,539 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 3.00 Afghani (руб 3.42) | руб 23 | - 85% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,500 Afghani (руб 1,710) | руб 3,349 | - 49% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 350 Afghani (руб 399) | руб 197 | + 103% | |
TOTAL | - 12% |

These prices were last updated on June 11, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.140
RUB
/
AFN
Cost of living in Afghanistan is 12% cheaper than in Russia
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