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Cost of Living in Kabul

Kabul, Kābul, Afghanistan · Population 5,333,284 · National capital

▲ +24% vs Afghanistan average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)؋25,974 ($371)
Couple, monthly؋46,257 ($661)
Family of four, monthly؋59,975 ($857)

Estimated Prices in Kabul

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant؋273 ($3.90)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range؋1,092 ($15.60)per meal
Cappuccino؋81.90 ($1.17)each
Monthly groceries (single person)؋6,188 ($88.40)per month
Monthly public transport pass؋1,001 ($14.30)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment؋2,639 ($37.70)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)؋764 ($10.92)per month
Fitness club membership؋764 ($10.92)per month
Cinema ticket؋200 ($2.86)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre؋11,174 ($160)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre؋7,774 ($111)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre؋23,321 ($333)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Kabul is ؋18,200 ($260) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of ؋25,974 ($371) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly ؋33,766 ($482) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (؋7,774 ($111)) represents about 30% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Kabul

Kabul vs KandahārKabul vs Mazār-e SharīfKabul vs HerātKabul vs KunduzKabul vs JalālābādKabul vs Tāluqān

Nearby Cities

Bagrāmī

11 km away · Kābul

Paghmān

21 km away · Kābul

Maīdān Shahr

31 km away · Wardak

Gūdārah

32 km away · Kābul

Kōṯah-ye ‘As̲h̲rō

35 km away · Wardak

Chārīkār

54 km away · Parwān

Maḩmūd-e Rāqī

56 km away · Kāpīsā

Pul-e ‘Alam

62 km away · Lōgar

Other Major Cities in Afghanistan

Kandahār

Kandahār · pop. 614,254

؋20,863 ($298) / mo

Mazār-e Sharīf

Balkh · pop. 568,013

؋20,863 ($298) / mo

Herāt

Herāt · pop. 556,205

؋20,863 ($298) / mo

Kunduz

Kunduz · pop. 356,536

؋20,863 ($298) / mo

Jalālābād

Nangarhār · pop. 318,733

؋20,863 ($298) / mo

Tāluqān

Takhār · pop. 258,758

؋20,863 ($298) / mo

Lashkar Gāh

Helmand · pop. 201,546

؋19,600 ($280) / mo

Shibirghān

Jowzjān · pop. 175,599

؋19,600 ($280) / mo

Living in Kabul

Kabul is the capital and one of the key cities in Afghanistan. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is ؋25,974 ($371), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around ؋7,774 ($111) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to ؋59,975 ($857) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately ؋46,257 ($661) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Kabul is ؋18,200 ($260). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least ؋33,766 ($482) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kabul expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated ؋25,974 ($371) per month in Kabul including rent outside the city centre. That is 24% more than the national average for Afghanistan.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Kabul?
A net salary of around ؋33,766 ($482) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Kabul with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Kabul is ؋18,200 ($260).
How much is rent in Kabul?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated ؋11,174 ($160) per month in the city centre and ؋7,774 ($111) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about ؋23,321 ($333).
Is Kabul cheaper than Afghanistan on average?
No — Kabul is estimated to be about 24% more expensive than the Afghanistan average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Kabul?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at ؋6,188 ($88) in Kabul. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about ؋273 ($4) and a cappuccino runs around ؋82 ($1).
How do transport costs in Kabul compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Kabul is estimated at ؋1,001 ($14). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Kabul are estimates based on Afghanistan national averages adjusted for city size (population 5,333,284) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.