Cost of living in Afghanistan compared to United Arab Emirates
Currency:
| Food | - 39% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Afghanistan is 39% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| Afghanistan | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 235 Afghani (Dirham 12) | Dirham 47 | - 73% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 450 Afghani (Dirham 24) | Dirham 35 | - 31% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 230 Afghani (Dirham 12) | Dirham 18 | - 34% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 80 Afghani (Dirham 4.24) | Dirham 7 | - 35% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 96 Afghani (Dirham 5.09) | Dirham 13 | - 61% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 40 Afghani (Dirham 2.12) | Dirham 6 | - 67% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 500 Afghani (Dirham 27) | Dirham 19 | + 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 100 Afghani (Dirham 5.31) | Dirham 9 | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 30 Afghani (Dirham 1.59) | Dirham 4.55 | - 65% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 276 Afghani (Dirham 15) | Dirham 9 | + 56% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,250 Afghani (Dirham 66) | Dirham 58 | + 13% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 60 Afghani (Dirham 3.18) | Dirham 8 | - 59% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 13 Afghani (Dirham 0.66) | Dirham 4.85 | - 86% | |
| Housing | - 71% | |||
| Housing in Afghanistan is 71% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| Afghanistan | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 120,400 Afghani (Dirham 6,388) | Dirham 14,554 | - 56% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 17,500 Afghani (Dirham 929) | Dirham 9,154 | - 90% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,000 Afghani (Dirham 106) | Dirham 721 | - 85% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 10,000 Afghani (Dirham 531) | Dirham 8,038 | - 93% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 10,000 Afghani (Dirham 531) | Dirham 5,394 | - 90% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,000 Afghani (Dirham 106) | Dirham 580 | - 82% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,500 Afghani (Dirham 80) | Dirham 324 | - 75% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 25,830 Afghani (Dirham 1,371) | Dirham 811 | + 69% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 6,818 Afghani (Dirham 362) | Dirham 342 | + 6% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,000 Afghani (Dirham 53) | Dirham 37 | + 44% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | Dirham 29 | - | |
| Clothes | - 75% | |||
| Clothes in Afghanistan is 75% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| Afghanistan | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,200 Afghani (Dirham 64) | Dirham 269 | - 76% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 700 Afghani (Dirham 37) | Dirham 217 | - 83% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 3,225 Afghani (Dirham 171) | Dirham 397 | - 57% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,000 Afghani (Dirham 159) | Dirham 419 | - 62% | |
| Transportation | - 37% | |||
| Transportation in Afghanistan is 37% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| Afghanistan | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | Dirham 96,151 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 70 Afghani (Dirham 3.71) | Dirham 2.88 | + 29% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 2,054 Afghani (Dirham 109) | Dirham 270 | - 60% | |
| Personal Care | - 36% | |||
| Personal Care in Afghanistan is 36% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| Afghanistan | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 360 Afghani (Dirham 19) | Dirham 23 | - 18% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 120 Afghani (Dirham 6) | Dirham 99 | - 94% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | Dirham 310 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 250 Afghani (Dirham 13) | Dirham 21 | - 37% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 500 Afghani (Dirham 27) | Dirham 22 | + 23% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 220 Afghani (Dirham 12) | Dirham 22 | - 47% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 80 Afghani (Dirham 4.24) | Dirham 11 | - 61% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 90 Afghani (Dirham 4.78) | Dirham 16 | - 70% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 250 Afghani (Dirham 13) | Dirham 41 | - 68% | |
| Entertainment | - 53% | |||
| Entertainment in Afghanistan is 53% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| Afghanistan | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 300 Afghani (Dirham 16) | Dirham 155 | - 90% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | Dirham 97 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | Dirham 484 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | Dirham 288 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 900 Afghani (Dirham 48) | Dirham 78 | - 39% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 120 Afghani (Dirham 6) | Dirham 22 | - 71% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | Dirham 45 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | Dirham 2,094 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 3.00 Afghani (Dirham 0.16) | Dirham 1.78 | - 91% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,500 Afghani (Dirham 80) | Dirham 317 | - 75% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 350 Afghani (Dirham 19) | Dirham 22 | - 14% | |
| TOTAL | - 56% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 814 prices entered by 150 different people.
These prices were last updated on July 14, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.05306
AED
/
AFN
Cost of living in Afghanistan is 56% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates
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