Cost of living in Afghanistan compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 53% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Afghanistan is 53% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Afghanistan | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 865 Afghani ($10) | $17 | - 45% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 590 Afghani ($7) | $9 | - 29% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 234 Afghani ($2.58) | $5.07 | - 49% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 73 Afghani ($0.81) | $0.99 | - 18% | |
12 eggs, large | 120 Afghani ($1.33) | $3.33 | - 60% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 46 Afghani ($0.51) | $4.43 | - 88% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 185 Afghani ($2.04) | $7 | - 70% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 89 Afghani ($0.98) | $3.93 | - 75% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 31 Afghani ($0.34) | $1.92 | - 82% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 276 Afghani ($3.05) | $3.30 | - 8% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,600 Afghani ($18) | $16 | + 12% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 66 Afghani ($0.73) | $2.26 | - 68% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 39 Afghani ($0.44) | $2.46 | - 82% | |
Housing | - 60% | |||
Housing in Afghanistan is 60% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Afghanistan | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 20,316 Afghani ($224) | $2,508 | - 91% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 12,458 Afghani ($138) | $1,960 | - 93% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 6,772 Afghani ($75) | $206 | - 64% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 20,000 Afghani ($221) | $1,778 | - 88% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 12,000 Afghani ($133) | $1,342 | - 90% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 7,697 Afghani ($85) | $139 | - 39% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 8,184 Afghani ($90) | $56 | + 61% | |
40” flat screen tv | 22,863 Afghani ($253) | $300 | - 16% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 6,818 Afghani ($75) | $135 | - 44% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 292 Afghani ($3.22) | $12 | - 74% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $27 | - | |
Clothes | - 54% | |||
Clothes in Afghanistan is 54% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Afghanistan | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,669 Afghani ($18) | $51 | - 64% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,327 Afghani ($26) | $46 | - 44% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,768 Afghani ($31) | $92 | - 67% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,295 Afghani ($36) | $120 | - 70% | |
Transportation | - 53% | |||
Transportation in Afghanistan is 53% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Afghanistan | United States | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 1,814,390 Afghani ($20,049) | $25,474 | - 21% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 74 Afghani ($0.82) | $1.06 | - 23% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 2,054 Afghani ($23) | $77 | - 70% | |
Personal Care | - 52% | |||
Personal Care in Afghanistan is 52% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Afghanistan | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | - | $7 | - | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 359 Afghani ($3.97) | $19 | - 79% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | $125 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 515 Afghani ($5.69) | $7 | - 23% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 192 Afghani ($2.13) | $4.17 | - 49% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 269 Afghani ($2.98) | $5.50 | - 46% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 61 Afghani ($0.67) | $4.18 | - 84% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 119 Afghani ($1.31) | $2.05 | - 36% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 247 Afghani ($2.73) | $25 | - 89% | |
Entertainment | - 69% | |||
Entertainment in Afghanistan is 69% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Afghanistan | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 538 Afghani ($5.95) | $49 | - 88% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 438 Afghani ($4.84) | $27 | - 82% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,231 Afghani ($14) | $196 | - 93% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,993 Afghani ($22) | $83 | - 73% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 677 Afghani ($7) | $13 | - 42% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 189 Afghani ($2.09) | $5.19 | - 60% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 200 Afghani ($2.21) | $6 | - 65% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 30,034 Afghani ($332) | $499 | - 34% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.65 Afghani ($0.03) | $0.17 | - 83% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 2,174 Afghani ($24) | $53 | - 54% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 273 Afghani ($3.02) | $9 | - 67% | |
TOTAL | - 58% |

These prices were last updated on May 20, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.01105
USD
/
AFN
Cost of living in Afghanistan is 58% cheaper than in United States
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Albania is 53% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Angola is 16% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Andorra is 14% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Austria is 24% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Argentina is 53% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in United States
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 16% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Armenia is 58% cheaper than in United States