Cost Of Living For a Student in Afghanistan 2024
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: AFN
Average monthly spending for students in Afghanistan
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Afghanistan?
Students in Afghanistan spend around 57,000 AFN per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 8,600 AFN or as high as 380,000 AFN. Location is a very important factor and has 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 - Student
| 340 AFN | 2,300 AFN | 15,000 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 |
How do students spend their money in Afghanistan?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost19%
19% of total expenses on average (14% to 25%)
| LOW | $28 2,100 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $190 14,000 AFN |
| HIGH | $1,200 91,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
Students in Afghanistan typically spend from 14% to 25% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 19% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 14,000 AFN with expenditure ranging from 2,100 AFN to 91,000 AFN. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $4.7 340 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $31 2,300 AFN |
| HIGH | $210 15,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Afghanistan ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 2,300 AFN with 340 AFN and 15,000 AFN being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $8.2 600 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $54 4,000 AFN |
| HIGH | $360 27,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 600 AFN to 27,000 AFN in a month on commuting with 4,000 AFN being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 4% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 10%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
| LOW | $23 1,700 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $160 11,000 AFN |
| HIGH | $1,000 76,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Afghanistan is 11,000 AFN. The cost of groceries can range between 1,700 AFN to 76,000 AFN. Students spend on average about 23% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 17% and 27% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $7 510 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $47 3,400 AFN |
| HIGH | $310 23,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
Students in Afghanistan allocate 6% to 12% 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 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 510 AFN to 23,000 AFN with 3,400 AFN being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)
| LOW | $5.8 430 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $39 2,800 AFN |
| HIGH | $260 19,000 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 430 AFN to 19,000 AFN with 2,800 AFN being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $22 1,600 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $150 11,000 AFN |
| HIGH | $980 72,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 11,000 AFN per month with 1,600 AFN being the minimum spent amount and 72,000 AFN being the maximum.
Other Expenses18%
18% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $18 1,300 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $120 8,500 AFN |
| HIGH | $780 57,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
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 students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Afghanistan?
Around 54% of surveyed students 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 students 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 students 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 Students
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 students of Afghanistan whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes54%
No46%
Based on the survey, 46% of the students 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 student 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 students 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%
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 / Student
| 340 AFN | 2,300 AFN | 15,000 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 students is around 2,300 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 students 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 students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 1,700 AFN to 76,000 AFN with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
