Cost of living in Afghanistan compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 65% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Afghanistan is 65% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Afghanistan | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 150 Afghani ($1.72) | $19 | - 91% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 300 Afghani ($3.45) | $10 | - 65% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 130 Afghani ($1.49) | $5.95 | - 75% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 40 Afghani ($0.46) | $1.09 | - 58% | |
12 eggs, large | 108 Afghani ($1.24) | $4.92 | - 75% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 25 Afghani ($0.29) | $4.81 | - 94% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 75 Afghani ($0.86) | $7 | - 88% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 50 Afghani ($0.57) | $4.70 | - 88% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 30 Afghani ($0.34) | $2.55 | - 86% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 276 Afghani ($3.17) | $3.06 | + 4% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,250 Afghani ($14) | $16 | - 9% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 120 Afghani ($1.38) | $2.74 | - 50% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | - | $3.08 | - | |
Housing | - 56% | |||
Housing in Afghanistan is 56% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Afghanistan | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | $3,012 | - | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | $2,224 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 5,000 Afghani ($57) | $219 | - 74% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 10,000 Afghani ($115) | $1,967 | - 94% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 10,000 Afghani ($115) | $1,475 | - 92% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,000 Afghani ($23) | $147 | - 84% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,500 Afghani ($17) | $64 | - 73% | |
40” flat screen tv | 15,000 Afghani ($172) | $284 | - 39% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 6,818 Afghani ($78) | $132 | - 41% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,000 Afghani ($11) | $13 | - 15% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $30 | - | |
Clothes | - 78% | |||
Clothes in Afghanistan is 78% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Afghanistan | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 500 Afghani ($5.75) | $54 | - 89% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 700 Afghani ($8) | $44 | - 82% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 5,000 Afghani ($57) | $93 | - 38% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,500 Afghani ($17) | $120 | - 86% | |
Transportation | - 49% | |||
Transportation in Afghanistan is 49% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Afghanistan | United States | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | $27,658 | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 78 Afghani ($0.89) | $1.06 | - 16% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 2,054 Afghani ($24) | $83 | - 71% | |
Personal Care | - 61% | |||
Personal Care in Afghanistan is 61% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Afghanistan | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 69 Afghani ($0.80) | $8 | - 90% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 400 Afghani ($4.60) | $20 | - 77% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | $137 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 250 Afghani ($2.87) | $8 | - 65% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 192 Afghani ($2.21) | $4.91 | - 55% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 290 Afghani ($3.33) | $6 | - 46% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 80 Afghani ($0.92) | $4.81 | - 81% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 90 Afghani ($1.03) | $2.19 | - 53% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 350 Afghani ($4.02) | $27 | - 85% | |
Entertainment | - 29% | |||
Entertainment in Afghanistan is 29% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Afghanistan | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | - | $55 | - | |
2 tickets to the movies | - | $28 | - | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $196 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | $88 | - | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 900 Afghani ($10) | $14 | - 25% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 800 Afghani ($9) | $5.21 | + 76% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 200 Afghani ($2.30) | $6 | - 64% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | $578 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 3.60 Afghani ($0.04) | $0.20 | - 79% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,000 Afghani ($11) | $59 | - 80% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 200 Afghani ($2.30) | $10 | - 77% | |
TOTAL | - 54% |

These prices were last updated on May 28, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.01149
USD
/
AFN
Cost of living in Afghanistan is 54% cheaper than in United States
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