Cost Of Living For a Student in Mazari Sharif 2024
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: AFN
Average monthly spending for students in Mazari Sharif
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Mazari Sharif?
Students in Mazari Sharif spend around 53,000 AFN per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 8,000 AFN or as high as 350,000 AFN. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Mazari Sharif
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
| 350 AFN | 530 AFN | 1,100 AFN |
Fine dining meal for one
| 710 AFN | 1,100 AFN | 4,300 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
| 540 AFN | 720 AFN | 1,400 AFN |
Average car 1-day rental
| 530 AFN | 700 AFN | 1,100 AFN |
Average car price
| 270,000 AFN | 540,000 AFN | 720,000 AFN |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 700 AFN | 1,100 AFN | 2,100 AFN |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 320 AFN | 2,100 AFN | 14,000 AFN |
Internet and cable
| 540 AFN | 1,100 AFN | 1,400 AFN |
Mobile phone charges
| 430 AFN | 720 AFN | 2,100 AFN |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
| 840 AFN | 1,100 AFN | 2,100 AFN |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 620 AFN | 880 AFN | 1,300 AFN |
Woman dress
| 580 AFN | 810 AFN | 2,600 AFN |
Woman shoes
| 550 AFN | 750 AFN | 1,800 AFN |
Men's shoes
| 480 AFN | 580 AFN | 1,200 AFN |
Men suit
| 530 AFN | 660 AFN | 3,500 AFN |
Regular t-shirt
| 260 AFN | 350 AFN | 1,100 AFN |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 8,800 AFN | 13,000 AFN | 35,000 AFN |
1-bedroom apartment
| 13,000 AFN | 21,000 AFN | 53,000 AFN |
2-bedroom apartment
| 18,000 AFN | 26,000 AFN | 70,000 AFN |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 1.8M AFN | 2.6M AFN | 5.3M AFN |
1-bedroom apartment
| 2.1M AFN | 3.5M AFN | 13M AFN |
2-bedroom apartment
| $48,000 | $140,000 | $290,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 11,000 AFN | 13,000 AFN | 18,000 AFN |
Double Bed
| 7,200 AFN | 11,000 AFN | 13,000 AFN |
Single Bed
| 6,300 AFN | 8,300 AFN | 11,000 AFN |
Living Room
| 12,000 AFN | 15,000 AFN | 54,000 AFN |
Dining Table
| 5,400 AFN | 7,200 AFN | 13,000 AFN |
Sofa or Couch
| 7,200 AFN | 9,800 AFN | 21,000 AFN |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 7,200 AFN | 11,000 AFN | 21,000 AFN |
Fridge or Freezer
| 6,300 AFN | 9,800 AFN | 13,000 AFN |
Washing Machine
| 8,300 AFN | 12,000 AFN | 21,000 AFN |
Stove or Cooker
| 7,700 AFN | 9,800 AFN | 13,000 AFN |
Mobile Phone
| 9,000 AFN | 11,000 AFN | 15,000 AFN |
Laptop or Computer
| 9,800 AFN | 12,000 AFN | 21,000 AFN |
How do students spend their money in Mazari Sharif?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost16%
16% of total expenses on average (11% to 22%)
| LOW | $26 1,900 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $170 13,000 AFN |
| HIGH | $1,200 85,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
Students in Mazari Sharif typically spend from 11% to 22% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 16% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 13,000 AFN with expenditure ranging from 1,900 AFN to 85,000 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 utilities7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $4.4 320 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $29 2,100 AFN |
| HIGH | $190 14,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Mazari Sharif ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 2,100 AFN with 320 AFN and 14,000 AFN being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel3%
3% of total expenses on average (4% to 9%)
| LOW | $7.6 560 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $51 3,700 AFN |
| HIGH | $340 25,000 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 560 AFN to 25,000 AFN in a month on commuting with 3,700 AFN being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 3% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 9%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost24%
24% of total expenses on average (18% to 28%)
| LOW | $22 1,600 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $140 11,000 AFN |
| HIGH | $970 71,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Mazari Sharif is 11,000 AFN. The cost of groceries can range between 1,600 AFN to 71,000 AFN. Students spend on average about 24% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 18% and 28% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare10%
10% of total expenses on average (7% to 13%)
| LOW | $6.6 480 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $43 3,200 AFN |
| HIGH | $290 21,000 AFN |
| Per Month |
Students in Mazari Sharif allocate 7% to 13% 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 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 480 AFN to 21,000 AFN with 3,200 AFN being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)
| LOW | $5.5 400 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $36 2,700 AFN |
| HIGH | $240 18,000 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 400 AFN to 18,000 AFN with 2,700 AFN being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 1% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $21 1,500 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $140 10,000 AFN |
| HIGH | $920 67,000 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 10,000 AFN per month with 1,500 AFN being the minimum spent amount and 67,000 AFN being the maximum.
Other Expenses20%
20% of total expenses on average (14% to 26%)
| LOW | $16 1,200 AFN |
| AVERAGE | $110 8,000 AFN |
| HIGH | $720 53,000 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 Mazari Sharif
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Mazari Sharif?
Around 51% of surveyed students think that living in Mazari Sharif is affordable with proper budgeting while 50% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Mazari Sharif
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 options53%
Few low-cost options47%
Based on the survey, 53% of the students living in Mazari Sharif have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 47% 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 Mazari Sharif whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes51%
No50%
Based on the survey, 50% of the students living in Mazari Sharif said that they don't have an emergency fund while 51% 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 Mazari Sharif 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 Mazari Sharif
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Mazari Sharif
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 8,800 AFN | 13,000 AFN | 35,000 AFN |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 13,000 AFN | 21,000 AFN | 53,000 AFN |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 18,000 AFN | 26,000 AFN | 70,000 AFN |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 21,000 AFN | 35,000 AFN | 96,000 AFN |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 42,000 AFN | 110,000 AFN | 210,000 AFN |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 35,000 AFN | 53,000 AFN | 150,000 AFN |
House monthly rent cost
| 42,000 AFN | 110,000 AFN | 210,000 AFN |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 53,000 AFN | 130,000 AFN | 210,000 AFN |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Mazari Sharif ranges between 8,800 AFN and 35,000 AFN, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 13,000 AFN to 53,000 AFN. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 18,000 AFN and 70,000 AFN per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 21,000 AFN to 96,000 AFN. The average rent of a townhouse in Mazari Sharif is around 53,000 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 53,000 AFN to 210,000 AFN per month.
Apartment and house prices in Mazari Sharif
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 1.8M AFN | 2.6M AFN | 5.3M AFN |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 2.1M AFN | 3.5M AFN | 13M AFN |
2-bedroom apartment price
| $48,000 | $140,000 | $290,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| $160,000 | $240,000 | $720,000 |
Townhouse price
House price
| 18M AFN | 110M AFN | 150M AFN |
Villa price
| 21M AFN | 120M AFN | 180M AFN |
The average price of a studio apartment in Mazari Sharif can range from 1.8M AFN to 5.3M AFN depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 2.1M AFN to 13M AFN. A villa can cost you 120M AFN on average with prices ranging from 21M AFN to 180M AFN.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Mazari Sharif 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
| 33 | x94 monthly income | 187 |
Property prices in Mazari Sharif can be x94 to x187 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x94 multiples of the average monthly salary in Mazari Sharif.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Mazari Sharif is around 28%. This means that people pay 28% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 19% to 37% 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
26% 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.
| 160 AFN | 2,100 AFN | 21,000 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 Mazari Sharif
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Mazari Sharif
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 320 AFN | 2,100 AFN | 14,000 AFN |
Internet and cable cost
| 540 AFN | 1,100 AFN | 1,400 AFN |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 430 AFN | 720 AFN | 2,100 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 2,100 AFN. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 540 AFN to 1,400 AFN with 1,100 AFN being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 720 AFN but can range between 430 AFN and 2,100 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 Mazari Sharif is around 5.6%. This means that people pay 5.6% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.8% to 9.4% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Mazari Sharif
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Mazari Sharif
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 Mazari Sharif is approximatly 210 AFN with meal cost ranging from 110 AFN to 360 AFN. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 350 AFN | 530 AFN | 1,100 AFN |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 350 AFN and 1,100 AFN with 530 AFN being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Mazari Sharif.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 710 AFN | 1,100 AFN | 4,300 AFN |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 710 AFN to 4,300 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 Mazari Sharif.
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 Mazari Sharif is around 140 AFN. Price ranges between 90 AFN and 210 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 Mazari Sharif is 86 AFN. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 110 AFN and the minimum being 72 AFN depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 72 AFN on average with 54 AFN and 110 AFN being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Mazari Sharif is between 120 AFN and 220 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 210 AFN. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Mazari Sharif costs around 79 AFN on average with prices rangeing between 58 AFN and 110 AFN depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 21 AFN to 54 AFN. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 50 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 Mazari Sharif is around 25%. This means that students spend 25% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 18% to 31% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 1,600 AFN to 71,000 AFN with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
