Cost of living in Herat
Herat, a historic city in Afghanistan, offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and modern living. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for both residents and potential newcomers.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Herat, covering essential categories such as dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities.
Cost of Living Summary
Dining and Restaurants
- Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $2.19 on average.
- Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $8.77.
- Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $4.02, with a range between $3.66 and $4.39.
- Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer averages $2.19, imported beer $7.31, cappuccino $0.73, and Coke/Pepsi $0.51.
Grocery Prices
- Milk - Milk is priced between $0.44 and $0.58 per liter, averaging $0.51.
- Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs $0.29.
- Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.75 to $2.46, averaging $2.11.
- Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $0.73 per kg, while oranges are priced at $0.58 per kg.
- Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.29 and $0.88 per kg.
Transportation
- Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs $0.29.
- Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced at $1.02 per liter.
- Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $2.19, with a cost of $1.46 per km and $4.39 per hour of waiting.
Housing Costs
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $73.11.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $43.87.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $116.98.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $73.11.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre averages $526.83.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter averages $273.95.
Utilities
- Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $87.74 and $292.46, averaging $190.1.
- Internet - Internet services average $146.23.
Cost of Living Data
The following pricing data has been gathered from 6 user contributions, as of the most recent update in October, 2023.
Restaurants
Restaurants
Avg
Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$2.19
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$8.77
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$4.02
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.19
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.31
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.15
Cappuccino (regular)
$0.73
Markets
Markets
Avg
Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$0.51
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$0.29
Eggs (regular) (12)
$2.11
Local Cheese (1kg)
$2.92
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.29
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.95
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$1.90
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.63
Apples (1kg)
$0.73
Oranges (1kg)
$0.58
Potato (1kg)
$0.58
Rice (white), (1kg)
$2.92
Tomato (1kg)
$0.58
Banana (1kg)
$0.73
Onion (1kg)
$0.37
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$5.85
Transportation
Transportation
Avg
Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$0.29
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$0.00
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.02
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.19
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$1.46
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.39
Rent Per Month
Rent Per Month
Avg
Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$73.11
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$43.87
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$116.98
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$73.11
Utilities (Monthly)
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg
Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$190.10
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$146.23
Sports And Leisure
Sports And Leisure
Avg
Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$14.62
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$0.00
Clothing And Shoes
Clothing And Shoes
Avg
Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.93
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$21.93
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$29.25
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$36.56
Buy Apartment Price
Buy Apartment Price
Avg
Range
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre
$526.83
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre
$273.95
Salaries And Financing
Salaries And Financing
Avg
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$175.47
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
20%
Childcare
Childcare
Avg
Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$14.62
Herat Cost of Living
"Key Takeaways"
Herat offers a relatively low cost of living compared to many global cities, with affordable dining and housing options.
Transportation costs are minimal, making it easy to navigate the city without significant expense.
Utilities and internet costs are higher relative to other expenses, which is an important consideration for budgeting.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Herat provides an affordable living environment with low costs in dining, housing, and transportation.
While utilities and internet services are more expensive, the overall cost of living remains manageable, making Herat an attractive option for residents seeking a cost-effective lifestyle.
Herat