Cost of living in Afghanistan compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 64% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Afghanistan is 64% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Afghanistan | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 100 Afghani ($1.41) | $21 | - 93% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 450 Afghani ($6) | $12 | - 47% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 230 Afghani ($3.24) | $5.82 | - 44% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 80 Afghani ($1.13) | $1.11 | + 2% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 96 Afghani ($1.35) | $5.45 | - 75% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 40 Afghani ($0.56) | $4.90 | - 88% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 500 Afghani ($7) | $7 | - 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 100 Afghani ($1.41) | $4.34 | - 67% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 30 Afghani ($0.42) | $2.35 | - 82% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 276 Afghani ($3.89) | $3.49 | + 12% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,250 Afghani ($18) | $18 | - 1% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 60 Afghani ($0.85) | $2.96 | - 71% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 13 Afghani ($0.18) | $3.12 | - 94% | |
| Housing | - 70% | |||
| Housing in Afghanistan is 70% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Afghanistan | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 120,400 Afghani ($1,698) | $3,210 | - 47% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 17,500 Afghani ($247) | $2,468 | - 90% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,000 Afghani ($28) | $232 | - 88% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 10,000 Afghani ($141) | $2,245 | - 94% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 10,000 Afghani ($141) | $1,664 | - 92% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,000 Afghani ($28) | $171 | - 83% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,500 Afghani ($21) | $62 | - 66% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 25,830 Afghani ($364) | $248 | + 47% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 6,818 Afghani ($96) | $152 | - 37% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,000 Afghani ($14) | $15 | - 3% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $35 | - | |
| Clothes | - 73% | |||
| Clothes in Afghanistan is 73% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Afghanistan | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,200 Afghani ($17) | $59 | - 71% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 700 Afghani ($10) | $51 | - 81% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 3,225 Afghani ($45) | $105 | - 57% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,000 Afghani ($42) | $142 | - 70% | |
| Transportation | - 45% | |||
| Transportation in Afghanistan is 45% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Afghanistan | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | $30,991 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 70 Afghani ($0.99) | $0.94 | + 5% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 2,054 Afghani ($29) | $86 | - 66% | |
| Personal Care | - 44% | |||
| Personal Care in Afghanistan is 44% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Afghanistan | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 360 Afghani ($5.08) | $9 | - 44% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 120 Afghani ($1.69) | $24 | - 93% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | $168 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 250 Afghani ($3.53) | $9 | - 62% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 500 Afghani ($7) | $5.35 | + 32% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 220 Afghani ($3.10) | $7 | - 55% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 80 Afghani ($1.13) | $5.18 | - 78% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 90 Afghani ($1.27) | $2.39 | - 47% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 250 Afghani ($3.53) | $31 | - 89% | |
| Entertainment | - 58% | |||
| Entertainment in Afghanistan is 58% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Afghanistan | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 300 Afghani ($4.23) | $61 | - 93% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | $31 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $228 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | $104 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 900 Afghani ($13) | $15 | - 14% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 120 Afghani ($1.69) | $5.89 | - 71% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | $8 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | $502 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 3.00 Afghani ($0.04) | $0.54 | - 92% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,500 Afghani ($21) | $72 | - 71% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 350 Afghani ($4.94) | $11 | - 57% | |
| TOTAL | - 61% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 16,320 prices entered by 1,918 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 24, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.01410
USD
/
AFN
Cost of living in Afghanistan is 61% cheaper than in United States
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