Cost of Living Comparison Between Mazar-i-Sharif and Khost Cost of Living Comparison Between Mazar-i-Sharif and Khost

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $661 in Mazar-i-Sharif versus $49.69 in Khost.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $843 in Mazar-i-Sharif versus $85.0 in Khost.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,024 in Mazar-i-Sharif versus $121 in Khost.

Living in Mazar-i-Sharif is roughly 1230% more expensive than Khost, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both cities sit below the global median: Mazar-i-Sharif 51% lower, Khost 96% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.13 ؋136

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$14.31 ؋916

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.38 ؋216

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.53 ؋226

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.11 ؋455

Cappuccino

$1.11 ؋71.0

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.52 ؋33.46

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.25 ؋15.97

Milk (1 liter)

$0.59 ؋37.98

White Bread (500g)

$0.22 ؋13.92

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.60 ؋102

Eggs

$1.61 ؋103

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.89 ؋313

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.70 ؋237

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.50 ؋352

Apples (1kg)

$0.56 ؋36.05

Banana (1kg)

$0.95 ؋60.9

Oranges (1kg)

$0.72 ؋45.99

Tomato (1kg)

$0.56 ؋35.67

Potato (1kg)

$0.43 ؋27.58

Onion (1kg)

$0.39 ؋24.63

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.42 ؋26.83

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.30 ؋19.26

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.86 ؋119

$1.94 ؋124

-4.12%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.45 ؋28.49

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.12 ؋71.4

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.18 ؋75.4

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.51 ؋32.64

$0.41 ؋26.44

24.39%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$21.98 ؋1,406

$17.53 ؋1,122

25.39%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.70 ؋44.99

$0.69 ؋44.34

1.45%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.33 ؋84.9

$0.70 ؋44.95

90.00%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.47 ؋93.9

$2.12 ؋135

-30.66%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.15 ؋73.8

$1.17 ؋74.7

-1.71%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$9,892 ؋632.8K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$39.7K ؋2.5M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$111 ؋7,114

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$15.54 ؋994

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$292 ؋18.7K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$10.60 ؋678

$6.99 ؋447

51.65%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.67 ؋235

$5.76 ؋369

-36.28%

Cinema Ticket

$4.42 ؋283

$2.79 ؋178

58.42%

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

$28.24 ؋1,806

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$12.29 ؋786

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$17.33 ؋1,109

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$86.9 ؋5,559

$29.29 ؋1,874

196.72%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$42.51 ؋2,720

$14.63 ؋936

190.57%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$145 ؋9,294

$72.7 ؋4,651

99.85%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$70.9 ؋4,534

$43.88 ؋2,807

61.51%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$239 ؋15.3K

$189 ؋12.1K

26.59%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Mazar-i-Sharif: June 9, 2026

Last update for Khost: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $86.9 in Mazar-i-Sharif and $29.29 in Khost. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Mazar-i-Sharif pays 27% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Mazar-i-Sharif vs Khost: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Khost is cheaper overall, especially in Monthly Utilities & Internet, Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment. The 1230% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

Mazar-i-Sharif pays 27% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.

Rent for a central apartment: $86.9 in Mazar-i-Sharif versus $29.29 in Khost. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

A monthly transit pass in Khost runs roughly 25% less than in Mazar-i-Sharif. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.

All in, you'll spend $661 per month in Mazar-i-Sharif versus $49.69 in Khost – a 1230% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Khost gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Expats usually find Khost gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1230% less than in Mazar-i-Sharif. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.