Cost Of Living For a Couple in Kandahar 2024
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: AFN
Average monthly spending for couples in Kandahar
How much money does a couple need in a month to survive in Kandahar?
Couples in Kandahar spend around 140,000 AFN per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a couple can survive with a monthly budget as low as 45,000 AFN or as high as 720,000 AFN. Location and income are very important factors and have a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Kandahar
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
| 380 AFN | 580 AFN | 1,200 AFN |
Fine dining meal for one
| 770 AFN | 1,200 AFN | 4,600 AFN |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
| 560 AFN | 750 AFN | 1,500 AFN |
Average car 1-day rental
| 590 AFN | 790 AFN | 1,200 AFN |
Average car price
| 280,000 AFN | 560,000 AFN | 750,000 AFN |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 790 AFN | 1,200 AFN | 2,400 AFN |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Couple
| 1,800 AFN | 6,100 AFN | 40,000 AFN |
Internet and cable
| 560 AFN | 1,100 AFN | 1,500 AFN |
Mobile phone charges
| 450 AFN | 750 AFN | 2,200 AFN |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
| 950 AFN | 1,200 AFN | 2,400 AFN |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 700 AFN | 990 AFN | 1,500 AFN |
Woman dress
| 660 AFN | 910 AFN | 3,000 AFN |
Woman shoes
| 620 AFN | 850 AFN | 2,000 AFN |
Men's shoes
| 540 AFN | 660 AFN | 1,300 AFN |
Men suit
| 590 AFN | 740 AFN | 4,000 AFN |
Regular t-shirt
| 300 AFN | 400 AFN | 1,200 AFN |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 9,900 AFN | 15,000 AFN | 40,000 AFN |
1-bedroom apartment
| 15,000 AFN | 24,000 AFN | 59,000 AFN |
2-bedroom apartment
| 20,000 AFN | 30,000 AFN | 79,000 AFN |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
| $54,000 | $160,000 | $320,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 11,000 AFN | 14,000 AFN | 19,000 AFN |
Double Bed
| 7,500 AFN | 11,000 AFN | 14,000 AFN |
Single Bed
| 6,600 AFN | 8,600 AFN | 11,000 AFN |
Living Room
| 12,000 AFN | 16,000 AFN | 56,000 AFN |
Dining Table
| 5,600 AFN | 7,500 AFN | 14,000 AFN |
Sofa or Couch
| 7,500 AFN | 10,000 AFN | 22,000 AFN |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 7,500 AFN | 11,000 AFN | 22,000 AFN |
Fridge or Freezer
| 6,600 AFN | 10,000 AFN | 14,000 AFN |
Washing Machine
| 8,600 AFN | 12,000 AFN | 22,000 AFN |
Stove or Cooker
| 8,000 AFN | 10,000 AFN | 14,000 AFN |
Mobile Phone
| 9,300 AFN | 11,000 AFN | 16,000 AFN |
Laptop or Computer
| 10,000 AFN | 12,000 AFN | 22,000 AFN |
Couple expenditure to income ratio in Kandahar
Analysing the how affordable it is for couples to live in Kandahar
One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in. Couples usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a couple of four ranges between 70% to 80%.
Spending to Income Ratio
85%
78% to 94%
( expenditure / income ) x 100
Couples in Kandahar spend around 85% of their monthly income.
Some couples spend as low as 78% of their income while some as high as 94%.
How do couples spend their money in Kandahar?
We asked thousands of couples about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for couples
Accomodation Cost26%
26% of total expenses on average (19% to 36%)
| LOW | $210 15,000 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $630 46,000 AFN |
| HIGH | $3,400 250,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
Couples in Kandahar typically spend from 19% to 36% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 26% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 46,000 AFN with expenditure ranging from 15,000 AFN to 250,000 AFN. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for couples
Cost of utilities8%
8% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $25 1,800 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $83 6,100 AFN |
| HIGH | $540 40,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Kandahar ranges from 6% to 12% of total expenses with 8% being the average for most couples. The average monthly cost of utilities is 6,100 AFN with 1,800 AFN and 40,000 AFN being the upper and lower limits for a couple of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for couples
Cost of transport and fuel9%
9% of total expenses on average (3% to 14%)
| LOW | $74 5,400 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $220 16,000 AFN |
| HIGH | $1,200 87,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a couple resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a couple would expect to spend from 5,400 AFN to 87,000 AFN in a month on commuting with 16,000 AFN being the norm for most couples. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 9% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 14%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for couples
Food and Groceries Cost17%
17% of total expenses on average (12% to 22%)
| LOW | $86 6,300 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $260 19,000 AFN |
| HIGH | $1,400 100,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical couple in a month in Kandahar is 19,000 AFN. The cost of groceries can range between 6,300 AFN to 100,000 AFN. Couples spend on average about 17% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 12% and 22% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for couples
Cost of healthcare14%
14% of total expenses on average (8% to 18%)
| LOW | $68 5,000 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $200 15,000 AFN |
| HIGH | $1,100 80,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
Couples in Kandahar allocate 8% to 18% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 14%. The range of medical expenses range from 5,000 AFN to 80,000 AFN with 15,000 AFN being the norm for most couples.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for couples
Cost of leisure and shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)
| LOW | $37 2,700 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $110 8,100 AFN |
| HIGH | $590 43,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 2,700 AFN to 43,000 AFN with 8,100 AFN being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 1% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most couples.
Education and schooling expenditure for couples
Cost of education and schooling1%
1% of total expenses on average (0.00% to 3%)
| LOW | $12 900 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $37 2,700 AFN |
| HIGH | $200 14,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different couples. On average, education constitutes 1% of the monthly expenditure of couples with 0.00% and 3% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 2,700 AFN per month with 900 AFN being the minimum spent amount and 14,000 AFN being the maximum.
Other Expenses21%
21% of total expenses on average (15% to 27%)
| LOW | $100 7,700 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $310 23,000 AFN |
| HIGH | $1,700 120,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
What percentage of couples in Kandahar are able to save money and how much can they save?
Percentage of couples that reported their ability to save money
Almost 57% of surveyed couples in Kandahar said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 43% reported that they have to utilize their whole income to survive.
Savings-to-Income Ratio
The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.
How much money do couples manage to add to their savings?
The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
14,000 AFN
$190 | 42,000 AFN
$580 | 230,000 AFN
$3,100 |
Savings to income distribution levels for couples
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Couples |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 36% |
| 10% - 20% | 27% |
| 20% - 30% | 19% |
| 30% - 40% | 8% |
| 40% - 50% | 7% |
| > 50% | 3% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Couples that are able to save money can put anywhere from 13% to 34% of their monthly income to their savings, with 21% being the average for most couples. The average monthly amount of money that couples can put aside is 42,000 AFN with 14,000 AFN and 230,000 AFN being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Saving Challenges in Kandahar
Reasons that make it difficult for couples to save money
We wanted to understand what is stopping couples from maximizing their savings in Kandahar. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.
| Reason | % People |
|---|
| Low Income | 5% |
| High Expenses | 8% |
| Debt and Loans | 13% |
| Lack of Budgeting Skills | 12% |
| Impulsive Spending | 12% |
| Financial Emergencies | 7% |
| Living the moment | 5% |
| Will do it later | 21% |
| Inflation | 13% |
| Social Pressure | 3% |
| Market Instability | 2% |
Around 5% of the couples said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 8% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 13% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 12% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 12% of couples blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 7% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 5% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 21% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 13% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.
Typical saving choices for couples in Kandahar
Where do people choose to put their savings?
| Saving Type | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Funds | 12% |
| Gold | 13% |
| Savings Accounts | 17% |
| Retirement Accounts | 10% |
| Cash Savings | 21% |
| Real Estate | 9% |
| Investment | 5% |
| Stocks | 4% |
| Bonds | 5% |
| Mutual Funds | 2% |
| Certificates of Deposit | 3% |
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Kandahar
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked couples one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Kandahar?
Around 57% of surveyed couples think that living in Kandahar is affordable with proper budgeting while 43% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Kandahar
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked couples how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options60%
Few low-cost options40%
Based on the survey, 60% of the couples living in Kandahar have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 40% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Couples
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked couples of Kandahar whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes57%
No43%
Based on the survey, 43% of the couples living in Kandahar said that they don't have an emergency fund while 57% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Afghanistan
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy49%
We asked couple guardians and parents in Kandahar whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 51% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 49% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether couples of Afghanistan have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 41% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 59% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance41%
Easily manages finances59%
Financial goals of couples in Kandahar
In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Kandahar, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.
| Financial Goal | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Fund | 8% |
| Debt Reduction | 43% |
| Retirement Savings | 10% |
| Education Funding | 7% |
| Homeownership | 18% |
| Investing | 6% |
| Travel or Lifestyle | 6% |
| Healthcare Expenses | 14% |
| Financial Independence | 5% |
Around 8% of couples said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 43% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 10% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 7% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 18% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 6% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 6% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 14% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.
Debt, loans, and mortgages in Kandahar
Percentage of couples who are in debt
According to the survey, 27% of the couples in Kandahar have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 73% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.
Debt-to-income ratio in Kandahar
Debt to income ratio
32%
23% to 41%
( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100
Interpretation
The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 32% of a couple's monthly income in Kandahar goes to debt settlement.
Debt levelsMonthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income
| Debt-to-income ratio | % People |
|---|
| > 60% | 3% |
| 50% - 60% | 19% |
| 40% - 50% | 15% |
| 30% - 40% | 17% |
| 20% - 30% | 10% |
| 10% - 20% | 11% |
| 0% - 10% | 25% |
According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Kandahar pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 19% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 15% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 17% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 10% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.
Distribution by type of debt in Kandahar
| Debt | % People |
|---|
| Real Estate Mortgage | 8% |
| Auto Loan | 14% |
| Student Loan | 4% |
| Credit Card | 30% |
| Personal Loan | 44% |
8% of debtors in Kandahar confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 30% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 14% of people and personal loans rose at 44%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Kandahar.
About credit score and debt managementManaging debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.
Good debt vs. Bad debt
Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.
Loan Affordability Index in Kandahar
Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked couples of Kandahar how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.
Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.
| Frequency | % People |
|---|
| Never | 50% |
| Once a year | 24% |
| Twice a year | 13% |
| Three times a year | 9% |
| Four times a year | 4% |
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Kandahar
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Kandahar
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 9,900 AFN | 15,000 AFN | 40,000 AFN |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 15,000 AFN | 24,000 AFN | 59,000 AFN |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 20,000 AFN | 30,000 AFN | 79,000 AFN |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 24,000 AFN | 40,000 AFN | 110,000 AFN |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 47,000 AFN | 120,000 AFN | 240,000 AFN |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 40,000 AFN | 59,000 AFN | 170,000 AFN |
House monthly rent cost
| 47,000 AFN | 120,000 AFN | 240,000 AFN |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 59,000 AFN | 150,000 AFN | 240,000 AFN |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Kandahar ranges between 9,900 AFN and 40,000 AFN, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 15,000 AFN to 59,000 AFN. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 20,000 AFN and 79,000 AFN per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 24,000 AFN to 110,000 AFN. The average rent of a townhouse in Kandahar is around 59,000 AFN while house rental costs can be as high as 120,000 AFN per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 59,000 AFN to 240,000 AFN per month.
Apartment and house prices in Kandahar
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
| $54,000 | $160,000 | $320,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| $180,000 | $270,000 | $810,000 |
Townhouse price
House price
| 20M AFN | 120M AFN | 170M AFN |
Villa price
| 24M AFN | 130M AFN | 200M AFN |
The average price of a studio apartment in Kandahar can range from 2M AFN to 5.9M AFN depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 2.4M AFN to 15M AFN. A villa can cost you 130M AFN on average with prices ranging from 24M AFN to 200M AFN.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Kandahar will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 37 | x106 monthly income | 211 |
Property prices in Kandahar can be x106 to x211 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x106 multiples of the average monthly salary in Kandahar.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Kandahar is around 32%. This means that people pay 32% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 21% to 42% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
29% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 180 AFN | 2,400 AFN | 24,000 AFN |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Kandahar
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Kandahar
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple
| 1,800 AFN | 6,100 AFN | 40,000 AFN |
Internet and cable cost
| 560 AFN | 1,100 AFN | 1,500 AFN |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 450 AFN | 750 AFN | 2,200 AFN |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of couples is around 6,100 AFN. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 560 AFN to 1,500 AFN with 1,100 AFN being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 750 AFN but can range between 450 AFN and 2,200 AFN depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Kandahar is around 6.3%. This means that people pay 6.3% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3.2% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Kandahar
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Kandahar
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Kandahar is approximatly 220 AFN with meal cost ranging from 110 AFN to 370 AFN. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 380 AFN | 580 AFN | 1,200 AFN |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 380 AFN and 1,200 AFN with 580 AFN being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Kandahar.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 770 AFN | 1,200 AFN | 4,600 AFN |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 770 AFN to 4,600 AFN with the average cost being 1,200 AFN for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Kandahar.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Kandahar is around 150 AFN. Price ranges between 93 AFN and 220 AFN depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Kandahar is 90 AFN. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 110 AFN and the minimum being 75 AFN depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 75 AFN on average with 56 AFN and 110 AFN being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Kandahar is between 130 AFN and 230 AFN depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 160 AFN.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 220 AFN. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Kandahar costs around 82 AFN on average with prices rangeing between 60 AFN and 120 AFN depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 22 AFN to 56 AFN. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 52 AFN on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Kandahar is around 29%. This means that couples spend 29% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 20% to 35% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for couples
Couples' spending on grocery ranges from 6,300 AFN to 100,000 AFN with the location, income, and size of the couple being the most determinite factors.
