Cost of living in Afghanistan compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 50% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Afghanistan is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 469 Afghani ($5.99) | $15 | - 60% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 424 Afghani ($5.41) | $8 | - 34% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 159 Afghani ($2.03) | $4.25 | - 52% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 74 Afghani ($0.94) | $0.88 | + 6% | |
12 eggs, large | 78 Afghani ($0.99) | $2.94 | - 66% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 45 Afghani ($0.57) | $4.11 | - 86% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 249 Afghani ($3.18) | $6 | - 50% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 50 Afghani ($0.64) | $3.31 | - 81% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 28 Afghani ($0.36) | $1.67 | - 78% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | $3.31 | - | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 2,334 Afghani ($30) | $14 | + 111% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 83 Afghani ($1.06) | $1.99 | - 47% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 53 Afghani ($0.67) | $2.06 | - 67% | |
Housing | - 57% | |||
Housing in Afghanistan is 57% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 45,520 Afghani ($581) | $2,209 | - 74% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 29,666 Afghani ($379) | $1,549 | - 76% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 7,725 Afghani ($99) | $178 | - 44% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 31,512 Afghani ($402) | $1,530 | - 74% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 24,914 Afghani ($318) | $1,115 | - 71% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 5,725 Afghani ($73) | $111 | - 34% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 4,668 Afghani ($60) | $50 | + 19% | |
40” flat screen tv | 26,034 Afghani ($332) | $271 | + 23% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 9,908 Afghani ($126) | $128 | - 1% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 699 Afghani ($9) | $11 | - 16% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 300 Afghani ($3.83) | $22 | - 82% | |
Clothes | - 23% | |||
Clothes in Afghanistan is 23% cheaper than in United States | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,292 Afghani ($16) | $47 | - 65% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 3,561 Afghani ($45) | $44 | + 4% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 3,791 Afghani ($48) | $87 | - 45% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 2,492 Afghani ($32) | $109 | - 71% | |
Transportation | - 53% | |||
Transportation in Afghanistan is 53% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 824,196 Afghani ($10,520) | $23,548 | - 55% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 37 Afghani ($0.47) | $0.64 | - 27% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 2,392 Afghani ($31) | $74 | - 59% | |
Personal Care | - 45% | |||
Personal Care in Afghanistan is 45% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 150 Afghani ($1.91) | $7 | - 73% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 451 Afghani ($5.75) | $16 | - 65% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | $112 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 533 Afghani ($7) | $7 | + 4% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 160 Afghani ($2.04) | $3.47 | - 41% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 349 Afghani ($4.46) | $4.93 | - 10% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 79 Afghani ($1.01) | $3.64 | - 72% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 141 Afghani ($1.80) | $1.82 | - 1% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 273 Afghani ($3.48) | $22 | - 84% | |
Entertainment | - 46% | |||
Entertainment in Afghanistan is 46% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 778 Afghani ($10) | $46 | - 78% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 532 Afghani ($7) | $25 | - 73% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,500 Afghani ($19) | $206 | - 91% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 2,299 Afghani ($29) | $79 | - 63% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 907 Afghani ($12) | $12 | - 6% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 200 Afghani ($2.55) | $5.05 | - 49% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 500 Afghani ($6) | $5.83 | + 9% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 28,088 Afghani ($359) | $419 | - 15% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 3.48 Afghani ($0.04) | $0.51 | - 91% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 8,387 Afghani ($107) | $50 | + 116% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 170 Afghani ($2.17) | $8 | - 74% | |
TOTAL | - 52% |

These prices were last updated on February 28, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.01276
USD
/
AFN
Cost of living in Afghanistan is 52% cheaper than in United States
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