Cost Of Living For a Family in Afghanistan 2024
Average monthly spending for families in Afghanistan
We consider a family to be a member of four members, two adults and two children. This is the most common type of family. From the figures below, it should be fairly easy to calculate the average spending for families of different sizes.
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: AFN
How much money does a family need in a month to survive in Afghanistan?
Families in Afghanistan spend around 170,000 AFN per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a family can survive with a monthly budget as low as 60,000 AFN or as high as 1.1M 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 Afghanistan
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
| 380 AFN | 560 AFN | 1,100 AFN |
Fine dining meal for one
| 750 AFN | 1,100 AFN | 4,500 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
| 560 AFN | 750 AFN | 1,100 AFN |
Average car price
| 280,000 AFN | 560,000 AFN | 750,000 AFN |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 750 AFN | 1,100 AFN | 2,300 AFN |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Family
| 3,000 AFN | 8,600 AFN | 56,000 AFN |
Internet and cable
| 560 AFN | 1,100 AFN | 1,500 AFN |
Mobile phone charges
| 450 AFN | 750 AFN | 2,300 AFN |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
| 900 AFN | 1,100 AFN | 2,300 AFN |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 660 AFN | 940 AFN | 1,400 AFN |
Woman dress
| 630 AFN | 870 AFN | 2,800 AFN |
Woman shoes
| 590 AFN | 800 AFN | 1,900 AFN |
Men's shoes
| 510 AFN | 630 AFN | 1,300 AFN |
Men suit
| 560 AFN | 700 AFN | 3,800 AFN |
Regular t-shirt
| 280 AFN | 380 AFN | 1,100 AFN |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 9,400 AFN | 14,000 AFN | 38,000 AFN |
1-bedroom apartment
| 14,000 AFN | 23,000 AFN | 56,000 AFN |
2-bedroom apartment
| 19,000 AFN | 28,000 AFN | 75,000 AFN |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 1.9M AFN | 2.8M AFN | 5.6M AFN |
1-bedroom apartment
| 2.3M AFN | 3.8M AFN | 14M AFN |
2-bedroom apartment
| $51,000 | $150,000 | $310,000 |
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 | 8,700 AFN | 11,000 AFN |
Living Room
| 13,000 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 | 23,000 AFN |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 7,500 AFN | 11,000 AFN | 23,000 AFN |
Fridge or Freezer
| 6,600 AFN | 10,000 AFN | 14,000 AFN |
Washing Machine
| 8,700 AFN | 13,000 AFN | 23,000 AFN |
Stove or Cooker
| 8,000 AFN | 10,000 AFN | 14,000 AFN |
Mobile Phone
| 9,400 AFN | 11,000 AFN | 16,000 AFN |
Laptop or Computer
| 10,000 AFN | 13,000 AFN | 23,000 AFN |
Family expenditure to income ratio in Afghanistan
Analysing the how affordable it is for families to live in Afghanistan
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. Families usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a family of four ranges between 70% to 80%.
Spending to Income Ratio
89%
82% to 99%
( expenditure / income ) x 100
Families in Afghanistan spend around 89% of their monthly income.
Some families spend as low as 82% of their income while some as high as 99%.
How do families spend their money in Afghanistan?
We asked thousands of families 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 families
Accomodation Cost27%
27% of total expenses on average (22% to 37%)
| LOW | $260 19,000 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $750 55,000 AFN |
| HIGH | $4,900 360,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
Families in Afghanistan typically spend from 22% to 37% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 27% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 55,000 AFN with expenditure ranging from 19,000 AFN to 360,000 AFN. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for families
Cost of utilities5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 8%)
| LOW | $41 3,000 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $120 8,600 AFN |
| HIGH | $760 56,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Afghanistan ranges from 3% to 8% of total expenses with 5% being the average for most families. The average monthly cost of utilities is 8,600 AFN with 3,000 AFN and 56,000 AFN being the upper and lower limits for a family of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for families
Cost of transport and fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 7%)
| LOW | $82 6,000 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $230 17,000 AFN |
| HIGH | $1,500 110,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a family resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a family would expect to spend from 6,000 AFN to 110,000 AFN in a month on commuting with 17,000 AFN being the norm for most families. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 5% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 7%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for families
Food and Groceries Cost21%
21% of total expenses on average (14% to 27%)
| LOW | $150 11,000 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $420 31,000 AFN |
| HIGH | $2,700 200,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical family in a month in Afghanistan is 31,000 AFN. The cost of groceries can range between 11,000 AFN to 200,000 AFN. Families spend on average about 21% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 14% and 27% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for families
Cost of healthcare11%
11% of total expenses on average (7% to 16%)
| LOW | $74 5,400 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $230 17,000 AFN |
| HIGH | $1,200 89,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
Families in Afghanistan allocate 7% to 16% 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 11%. The range of medical expenses range from 5,400 AFN to 89,000 AFN with 17,000 AFN being the norm for most families.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for families
Cost of leisure and shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (1% to 7%)
| LOW | $41 3,000 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $120 8,600 AFN |
| HIGH | $760 56,000 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 3,000 AFN to 56,000 AFN with 8,600 AFN being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 1% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most families.
Education and schooling expenditure for families
Cost of education and schooling13%
13% of total expenses on average (6% to 21%)
| LOW | $110 8,400 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $330 24,000 AFN |
| HIGH | $2,100 160,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different families. On average, education constitutes 13% of the monthly expenditure of families with 6% and 21% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 24,000 AFN per month with 8,400 AFN being the minimum spent amount and 160,000 AFN being the maximum.
Other Expenses15%
15% of total expenses on average (8% to 20%)
| LOW | $65 4,800 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $190 14,000 AFN |
| HIGH | $1,200 89,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
What percentage of families in Afghanistan are able to save money and how much can they save?
Percentage of families that reported their ability to save money
Almost 49% of surveyed families in Afghanistan said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 51% 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 families 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
19,000 AFN
$250 | 53,000 AFN
$730 | 350,000 AFN
$4,700 |
Savings to income distribution levels for families
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Families |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 37% |
| 10% - 20% | 29% |
| 20% - 30% | 20% |
| 30% - 40% | 7% |
| 40% - 50% | 5% |
| > 50% | 2% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Families that are able to save money can put anywhere from 10% to 28% of their monthly income to their savings, with 17% being the average for most families. The average monthly amount of money that families can put aside is 53,000 AFN with 19,000 AFN and 350,000 AFN being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Saving Challenges in Afghanistan
Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money
We wanted to understand what is stopping families from maximizing their savings in Afghanistan. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.
| Reason | % People |
|---|
| Low Income | 5% |
| High Expenses | 8% |
| Debt and Loans | 15% |
| Lack of Budgeting Skills | 11% |
| Impulsive Spending | 11% |
| Financial Emergencies | 7% |
| Living the moment | 6% |
| Will do it later | 19% |
| Inflation | 12% |
| Social Pressure | 3% |
| Market Instability | 2% |
Around 5% of the families 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. 15% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 11% 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. 11% of families 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. 6% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 19% 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. 12% 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 families in Afghanistan
Where do people choose to put their savings?
| Saving Type | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Funds | 12% |
| Gold | 12% |
| Savings Accounts | 17% |
| Retirement Accounts | 10% |
| Cash Savings | 19% |
| Real Estate | 9% |
| Investment | 5% |
| Stocks | 5% |
| 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 Afghanistan
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked families one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Afghanistan?
Around 54% of surveyed families think that living in Afghanistan is affordable with proper budgeting while 46% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Afghanistan
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 families how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options57%
Few low-cost options43%
Based on the survey, 57% of the families living in Afghanistan have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 43% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Families
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 families of Afghanistan whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes54%
No46%
Based on the survey, 46% of the families living in Afghanistan said that they don't have an emergency fund while 54% 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 family guardians and parents in Afghanistan 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 families 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 families in Afghanistan
In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Afghanistan, 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 | 38% |
| Retirement Savings | 9% |
| Education Funding | 7% |
| Homeownership | 18% |
| Investing | 7% |
| Travel or Lifestyle | 8% |
| Healthcare Expenses | 12% |
| Financial Independence | 6% |
Around 8% of families said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 38% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 9% 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. 7% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 8% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 12% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.
Debt, loans, and mortgages in Afghanistan
Percentage of families who are in debt
According to the survey, 26% of the families in Afghanistan have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 74% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.
Debt-to-income ratio in Afghanistan
Debt to income ratio
30%
22% to 39%
( 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 30% of a family's monthly income in Afghanistan goes to debt settlement.
Debt levelsMonthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income
| Debt-to-income ratio | % People |
|---|
| > 60% | 3% |
| 50% - 60% | 15% |
| 40% - 50% | 13% |
| 30% - 40% | 15% |
| 20% - 30% | 12% |
| 10% - 20% | 15% |
| 0% - 10% | 26% |
According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Afghanistan pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 15% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 13% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 15% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 12% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.
Distribution by type of debt in Afghanistan
| Debt | % People |
|---|
| Real Estate Mortgage | 10% |
| Auto Loan | 18% |
| Student Loan | 4% |
| Credit Card | 28% |
| Personal Loan | 40% |
10% of debtors in Afghanistan confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 28% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 18% of people and personal loans rose at 40%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Afghanistan.
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 Afghanistan
Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked families of Afghanistan 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 | 52% |
| Once a year | 23% |
| Twice a year | 12% |
| Three times a year | 9% |
| Four times a year | 4% |
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Afghanistan
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Afghanistan
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 9,400 AFN | 14,000 AFN | 38,000 AFN |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 14,000 AFN | 23,000 AFN | 56,000 AFN |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 19,000 AFN | 28,000 AFN | 75,000 AFN |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 23,000 AFN | 38,000 AFN | 100,000 AFN |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 45,000 AFN | 110,000 AFN | 230,000 AFN |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 38,000 AFN | 56,000 AFN | 160,000 AFN |
House monthly rent cost
| 45,000 AFN | 110,000 AFN | 230,000 AFN |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 56,000 AFN | 140,000 AFN | 230,000 AFN |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Afghanistan ranges between 9,400 AFN and 38,000 AFN, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 14,000 AFN to 56,000 AFN. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 19,000 AFN and 75,000 AFN per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 23,000 AFN to 100,000 AFN. The average rent of a townhouse in Afghanistan is around 56,000 AFN while house rental costs can be as high as 110,000 AFN per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 56,000 AFN to 230,000 AFN per month.
Apartment and house prices in Afghanistan
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 1.9M AFN | 2.8M AFN | 5.6M AFN |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 2.3M AFN | 3.8M AFN | 14M AFN |
2-bedroom apartment price
| $51,000 | $150,000 | $310,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| $170,000 | $260,000 | $770,000 |
Townhouse price
House price
| 19M AFN | 110M AFN | 160M AFN |
Villa price
| 23M AFN | 130M AFN | 190M AFN |
The average price of a studio apartment in Afghanistan can range from 1.9M AFN to 5.6M AFN depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 2.3M AFN to 14M AFN. A villa can cost you 130M AFN on average with prices ranging from 23M AFN to 190M AFN.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Afghanistan 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
| 35 | x100 monthly income | 200 |
Property prices in Afghanistan can be x100 to x200 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x100 multiples of the average monthly salary in Afghanistan.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Afghanistan is around 30%. This means that people pay 30% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 20% to 40% 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
28% 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.
| 170 AFN | 2,200 AFN | 22,000 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 Afghanistan
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Afghanistan
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family
| 3,000 AFN | 8,600 AFN | 56,000 AFN |
Internet and cable cost
| 560 AFN | 1,100 AFN | 1,500 AFN |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 450 AFN | 750 AFN | 2,300 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 families is around 8,600 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 2,300 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 Afghanistan is around 6%. This means that people pay 6% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3% to 10% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Afghanistan
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Afghanistan
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 Afghanistan is approximatly 230 AFN with meal cost ranging from 110 AFN to 380 AFN. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 380 AFN | 560 AFN | 1,100 AFN |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 380 AFN and 1,100 AFN with 560 AFN being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Afghanistan.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 750 AFN | 1,100 AFN | 4,500 AFN |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 750 AFN to 4,500 AFN with the average cost being 1,100 AFN for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Afghanistan.
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 Afghanistan is around 150 AFN. Price ranges between 94 AFN and 230 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 Afghanistan 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 Afghanistan 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 170 AFN.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 230 AFN. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Afghanistan costs around 83 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 23 AFN to 56 AFN. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 53 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 Afghanistan is around 27%. This means that families spend 27% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 19% to 33% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for families
Families' spending on grocery ranges from 11,000 AFN to 200,000 AFN with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.
