Cost of living in Afghanistan compared to South Korea
Currency:
| Food | - 38% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Afghanistan is 38% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Afghanistan | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 235 Afghani (₩4,734) | ₩9,765 | - 52% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 450 Afghani (₩9,058) | ₩7,842 | + 16% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 230 Afghani (₩4,630) | ₩6,173 | - 25% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 80 Afghani (₩1,610) | ₩2,807 | - 43% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 96 Afghani (₩1,932) | ₩5,741 | - 66% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 40 Afghani (₩805) | ₩4,811 | - 83% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 500 Afghani (₩10,065) | ₩12,501 | - 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 100 Afghani (₩2,013) | ₩9,424 | - 79% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 30 Afghani (₩604) | ₩5,136 | - 88% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 276 Afghani (₩5,551) | ₩2,193 | + 153% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,250 Afghani (₩25,162) | ₩17,855 | + 41% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 60 Afghani (₩1,208) | ₩2,567 | - 53% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 13 Afghani (₩252) | ₩2,396 | - 89% | |
| Housing | - 35% | |||
| Housing in Afghanistan is 35% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Afghanistan | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 120,400 Afghani (₩2,423,644) | ₩2,774,520 | - 13% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 17,500 Afghani (₩352,274) | ₩1,871,850 | - 81% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,000 Afghani (₩40,260) | ₩253,476 | - 84% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 10,000 Afghani (₩201,299) | ₩1,187,220 | - 83% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 10,000 Afghani (₩201,299) | ₩668,010 | - 70% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,000 Afghani (₩40,260) | ₩129,315 | - 69% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,500 Afghani (₩30,195) | ₩14,224 | + 112% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 25,830 Afghani (₩519,952) | ₩329,300 | + 58% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 6,818 Afghani (₩137,246) | ₩103,135 | + 33% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,000 Afghani (₩20,130) | ₩8,313 | + 142% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ₩14,992 | - | |
| Clothes | - 62% | |||
| Clothes in Afghanistan is 62% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Afghanistan | South Korea | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,200 Afghani (₩24,156) | ₩73,672 | - 67% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 700 Afghani (₩14,091) | ₩52,272 | - 73% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 3,225 Afghani (₩64,929) | ₩80,092 | - 19% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,000 Afghani (₩60,390) | ₩105,969 | - 43% | |
| Transportation | - 17% | |||
| Transportation in Afghanistan is 17% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Afghanistan | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | ₩32,060,200 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 70 Afghani (₩1,409) | ₩1,602 | - 12% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 2,054 Afghani (₩41,353) | ₩59,463 | - 30% | |
| Personal Care | - 0% | |||
| Personal Care in Afghanistan is about the same as in South Korea | ||||
| Afghanistan | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 360 Afghani (₩7,247) | ₩4,502 | + 61% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 120 Afghani (₩2,416) | ₩6,351 | - 62% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | ₩200,000 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 250 Afghani (₩5,032) | ₩13,556 | - 63% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 500 Afghani (₩10,065) | ₩4,165 | + 142% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 220 Afghani (₩4,429) | ₩5,776 | - 23% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 80 Afghani (₩1,610) | ₩4,807 | - 66% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 90 Afghani (₩1,812) | ₩1,903 | - 5% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 250 Afghani (₩5,032) | ₩29,466 | - 83% | |
| Entertainment | - 58% | |||
| Entertainment in Afghanistan is 58% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Afghanistan | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 300 Afghani (₩6,039) | ₩26,839 | - 77% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | ₩26,278 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ₩106,145 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | ₩71,900 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 900 Afghani (₩18,117) | ₩9,866 | + 84% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 120 Afghani (₩2,416) | ₩5,410 | - 55% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | ₩4,787 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | ₩590,662 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 3.00 Afghani (₩60) | ₩1,375 | - 96% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,500 Afghani (₩30,195) | ₩61,701 | - 51% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 350 Afghani (₩7,045) | ₩4,513 | + 56% | |
| TOTAL | - 37% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 5,693 prices entered by 170 different people.
These prices were last updated on July 15, 2025.
Exchange rate:
20.130
KRW
/
AFN
Cost of living in Afghanistan is 37% cheaper than in South Korea
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