Cost of living in Afghanistan compared to Malaysia
Currency:
Food | + 4% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Afghanistan is about the same as in Malaysia | ||||
Afghanistan | Malaysia | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 865 Afghani (RM41) | RM16 | + 161% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 590 Afghani (RM28) | RM18 | + 56% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 234 Afghani (RM11) | RM8 | + 39% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 73 Afghani (RM3.43) | RM7 | - 49% | |
12 eggs, large | 120 Afghani (RM5.65) | RM9 | - 34% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 46 Afghani (RM2.19) | RM7 | - 66% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 185 Afghani (RM9) | RM22 | - 60% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 89 Afghani (RM4.18) | RM11 | - 61% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 31 Afghani (RM1.44) | RM4.90 | - 71% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 276 Afghani (RM13) | RM13 | - 1% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,600 Afghani (RM75) | RM74 | + 1% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 66 Afghani (RM3.11) | RM4.93 | - 37% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 39 Afghani (RM1.85) | RM3.49 | - 47% | |
Housing | + 57% | |||
Housing in Afghanistan is 57% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
Afghanistan | Malaysia | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 20,316 Afghani (RM956) | RM2,930 | - 67% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 12,458 Afghani (RM586) | RM2,197 | - 73% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 6,772 Afghani (RM319) | RM285 | + 12% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 20,000 Afghani (RM941) | RM1,908 | - 51% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 12,000 Afghani (RM565) | RM1,210 | - 53% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 7,697 Afghani (RM362) | RM872 | - 58% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 16,000 Afghani (RM753) | RM113 | + 568% | |
40” flat screen tv | 22,863 Afghani (RM1,076) | RM2,827 | - 62% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 6,818 Afghani (RM321) | RM537 | - 40% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 292 Afghani (RM14) | RM28 | - 51% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | RM36 | - | |
Clothes | - 30% | |||
Clothes in Afghanistan is 30% cheaper than in Malaysia | ||||
Afghanistan | Malaysia | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,669 Afghani (RM79) | RM193 | - 59% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,327 Afghani (RM109) | RM122 | - 11% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,768 Afghani (RM130) | RM296 | - 56% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,295 Afghani (RM155) | RM246 | - 37% | |
Transportation | - 17% | |||
Transportation in Afghanistan is 17% cheaper than in Malaysia | ||||
Afghanistan | Malaysia | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 1,814,390 Afghani (RM85,357) | RM162,896 | - 48% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 73 Afghani (RM3.42) | RM2.31 | + 48% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 2,054 Afghani (RM97) | RM86 | + 13% | |
Personal Care | - 37% | |||
Personal Care in Afghanistan is 37% cheaper than in Malaysia | ||||
Afghanistan | Malaysia | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 50 Afghani (RM2.35) | RM9 | - 75% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 400 Afghani (RM19) | RM16 | + 21% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | RM149 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 250 Afghani (RM12) | RM44 | - 73% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 192 Afghani (RM9) | RM11 | - 17% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 290 Afghani (RM14) | RM15 | - 7% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 80 Afghani (RM3.76) | RM20 | - 81% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 90 Afghani (RM4.23) | RM7 | - 43% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 350 Afghani (RM16) | RM30 | - 45% | |
Entertainment | - 42% | |||
Entertainment in Afghanistan is 42% cheaper than in Malaysia | ||||
Afghanistan | Malaysia | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 538 Afghani (RM25) | RM126 | - 80% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 438 Afghani (RM21) | RM38 | - 45% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | RM271 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,993 Afghani (RM94) | RM111 | - 16% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 677 Afghani (RM32) | RM100 | - 68% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 189 Afghani (RM9) | RM14 | - 35% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 200 Afghani (RM9) | RM18 | - 46% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 30,034 Afghani (RM1,413) | RM2,145 | - 34% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.65 Afghani (RM0.12) | RM0.24 | - 47% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 2,174 Afghani (RM102) | RM158 | - 35% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 273 Afghani (RM13) | RM17 | - 26% | |
TOTAL | - 2% |

These prices were last updated on February 04, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.04704
MYR
/
AFN
Cost of living in Afghanistan is about the same as in Malaysia
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