People enjoying the surroundings of Kabul

Cost of living in Kabul

Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan, is a bustling metropolis with a unique blend of cultural heritage and modern influences. Understanding the cost of living in Kabul is crucial for anyone considering moving to or working in the city.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the expenses you can expect in Kabul, from dining and groceries to housing and transportation, helping you plan your budget effectively.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $2.63 on average, with a range between $1.46 and $4.39.
Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $12.43, with prices ranging from $7.31 to $17.55.
Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $5.12, with a range between $3.66 and $7.31.
Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $1.46 to $7.31, imported beer averages $1.75, cappuccino $0.73 to $2.19, and Coke/Pepsi $0.29 to $0.73.

Grocery Prices

Milk - Milk is priced between $0.44 and $0.95 per liter, averaging $0.76.
Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.15 and $0.88, with an average price of $0.24.
Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.23 to $1.58, averaging $1.47.
Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $0.32 to $0.73 per kg, while oranges range from $0.44 to $1.75 per kg.
Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.22 and $0.51 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.15 to $0.73 per head.

Transportation

Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $0.15 and $0.44, with a monthly pass priced between $7.31 and $43.87.
Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.95 and $1.1 per liter.
Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $1.46, with a cost of $0.44 to $1.46 per km and $1.29 to $3.36 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $58.49 to $175.47, averaging $103.58.
1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $36.56 to $146.23, averaging $87.74.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $146.23 to $365.57, averaging $280.27.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $95.05 to $219.34, averaging $142.57.
Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from $292.46 to $786.99, averaging $505.14.
Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from $146.23 to $438.68, averaging $239.08.

Utilities

Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $36.56 and $175.47, averaging $97.49.
Internet - Internet services range from $8.77 to $292.46, with an average cost of $93.59.

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 34 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.

Restaurants

Avg / Range

Restaurants

Avg

Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

$2.63

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

$12.43

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

$5.12

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.92

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.75

Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.33

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.15

Cappuccino (regular)

$1.39

Markets

Avg / Range

Markets

Avg

Range

Milk (regular), (1 liter)

$0.76

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)

$0.24

Eggs (regular) (12)

$1.47

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.92

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.38

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

$3.66

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.93

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.63

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

$3.66

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.54

Apples (1kg)

$0.61

Oranges (1kg)

$0.83

Potato (1kg)

$0.37

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.24

Rice (white), (1kg)

$1.58

Tomato (1kg)

$0.55

Banana (1kg)

$0.82

Onion (1kg)

$0.35

Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

$6.49

Transportation

Avg / Range

Transportation

Avg

Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

$0.29

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$10.24

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.03

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

$7,077.43

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.75

Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)

$0.73

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.32

Rent Per Month

Avg / Range

Rent Per Month

Avg

Range

Avg

Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$253.46

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

21.33%

Childcare

Avg / Range

Childcare

Avg

Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

$24.13

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

$1,462.28

Overview Job Market

Kabul Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Kabul offers a relatively low cost of living compared to many other cities, with affordable dining and housing options.
Transportation costs are minimal, making it easy to navigate the city without a significant financial burden.
While utilities and internet can vary widely in price, they remain manageable within the overall budget.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Kabul presents an affordable living environment with low costs in dining, housing, and transportation.

Potential residents should consider the variability in utility and internet costs when planning their budget.

Overall, Kabul is a city where one can live comfortably without incurring high expenses, making it an attractive option for those seeking a cost-effective lifestyle.

Kabul

Nearby Cities

Peshawar139 miles

All cities in Afghanistan