Cost of living in Afghanistan compared to Panama
Currency:
Food | - 41% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Afghanistan is 41% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
Afghanistan | Panama | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 235 Afghani (3.37 B/.) | 14 B/. | - 77% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 450 Afghani (6 B/.) | 8 B/. | - 16% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 230 Afghani (3.29 B/.) | 3.36 B/. | - 2% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 80 Afghani (1.15 B/.) | 1.78 B/. | - 36% | |
12 eggs, large | 96 Afghani (1.37 B/.) | 3.03 B/. | - 55% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 40 Afghani (0.57 B/.) | 2.47 B/. | - 77% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 500 Afghani (7 B/.) | 7 B/. | - 2% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 100 Afghani (1.43 B/.) | 3.03 B/. | - 53% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 30 Afghani (0.43 B/.) | 2.27 B/. | - 81% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 276 Afghani (3.95 B/.) | 1.82 B/. | + 116% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,250 Afghani (18 B/.) | 12 B/. | + 56% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 60 Afghani (0.86 B/.) | 2.55 B/. | - 66% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 13 Afghani (0.18 B/.) | 2.19 B/. | - 92% | |
Housing | - 42% | |||
Housing in Afghanistan is 42% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
Afghanistan | Panama | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 120,400 Afghani (1,723 B/.) | 1,591 B/. | + 8% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 17,500 Afghani (250 B/.) | 986 B/. | - 75% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,000 Afghani (29 B/.) | 147 B/. | - 81% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 10,000 Afghani (143 B/.) | 1,004 B/. | - 86% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 10,000 Afghani (143 B/.) | 676 B/. | - 79% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,000 Afghani (29 B/.) | 101 B/. | - 72% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,500 Afghani (21 B/.) | 45 B/. | - 52% | |
40” flat screen tv | 25,830 Afghani (370 B/.) | 256 B/. | + 44% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 6,818 Afghani (98 B/.) | 131 B/. | - 26% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,000 Afghani (14 B/.) | 19 B/. | - 23% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 9 B/. | - | |
Clothes | - 71% | |||
Clothes in Afghanistan is 71% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
Afghanistan | Panama | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,200 Afghani (17 B/.) | 50 B/. | - 66% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 700 Afghani (10 B/.) | 49 B/. | - 80% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 3,225 Afghani (46 B/.) | 96 B/. | - 52% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,000 Afghani (43 B/.) | 146 B/. | - 71% | |
Transportation | + 9% | |||
Transportation in Afghanistan is 9% more expensive than in Panama | ||||
Afghanistan | Panama | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | 24,370 B/. | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 70 Afghani (1.00 B/.) | 1.07 B/. | - 7% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 2,054 Afghani (29 B/.) | 23 B/. | + 31% | |
Personal Care | - 47% | |||
Personal Care in Afghanistan is 47% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
Afghanistan | Panama | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 360 Afghani (5.15 B/.) | 10 B/. | - 50% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 120 Afghani (1.72 B/.) | 19 B/. | - 91% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | 80 B/. | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 250 Afghani (3.58 B/.) | 11 B/. | - 69% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 500 Afghani (7 B/.) | 7 B/. | + 0% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 220 Afghani (3.15 B/.) | 8 B/. | - 61% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 80 Afghani (1.15 B/.) | 4.49 B/. | - 75% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 90 Afghani (1.29 B/.) | 3.34 B/. | - 61% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 250 Afghani (3.58 B/.) | 40 B/. | - 91% | |
Entertainment | - 51% | |||
Entertainment in Afghanistan is 51% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
Afghanistan | Panama | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 300 Afghani (4.29 B/.) | 36 B/. | - 88% | |
2 tickets to the movies | - | 11 B/. | - | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 35 B/. | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | 66 B/. | - | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 900 Afghani (13 B/.) | 17 B/. | - 23% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 120 Afghani (1.72 B/.) | 8 B/. | - 79% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | 4.62 B/. | - | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | 805 B/. | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 3.00 Afghani (0.04 B/.) | 0.50 B/. | - 91% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,500 Afghani (21 B/.) | 57 B/. | - 63% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 350 Afghani (5.01 B/.) | 8 B/. | - 38% | |
TOTAL | - 37% |

These prices were last updated on July 04, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.01431
PAB
/
AFN
Cost of living in Afghanistan is 37% cheaper than in Panama
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