Cost of Living in Mazar-i-Sharif - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $497 (excluding rent), and $648 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $843 (excluding rent), and $1,030 including rent.
Currency
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๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.18 ุ‹152
$2.18 ุ‹152
$2.18 ุ‹152
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.16 ุ‹986
$9.85 ุ‹686
$21.24 ุ‹1,480
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.39 ุ‹236
$3.08 ุ‹215
$3.69 ุ‹257
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.59 ุ‹250
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.37 ุ‹513
-
Cappuccino
$1.12 ุ‹77.8
$0.56 ุ‹39.25
$2.13 ุ‹149
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52 ุ‹35.94
$0.38 ุ‹26.62
$0.75 ุ‹52.6
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27 ุ‹18.93
$0.21 ุ‹14.57
$0.3 ุ‹21.12
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.59 ุ‹41.44
$0.59 ุ‹41.44
$0.59 ุ‹41.44
White Bread (500g)
$0.2 ุ‹14.07
$0.17 ุ‹11.85
$0.23 ุ‹16.3
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.62 ุ‹113
$0.88 ุ‹61.4
$2.5 ุ‹174
Eggs
$1.57 ุ‹109
$1.28 ุ‹89.1
$1.7 ุ‹119
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.17 ุ‹360
$2.95 ุ‹206
$7.39 ุ‹515
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.71 ุ‹259
$3.14 ุ‹218
$4.28 ุ‹298
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.49 ุ‹382
$5.12 ุ‹357
$5.85 ุ‹408
Apples (1kg)
$0.53 ุ‹37.07
$0.48 ุ‹33.7
$0.55 ุ‹38.41
Banana (1kg)
$0.93 ุ‹64.8
$0.82 ุ‹57.5
$1.04 ุ‹72.2
Oranges (1kg)
$0.76 ุ‹53.2
$0.73 ุ‹51.1
$0.8 ุ‹56
Tomato (1kg)
$0.57 ุ‹39.4
$0.31 ุ‹21.74
$0.84 ุ‹58.4
Potato (1kg)
$0.47 ุ‹32.73
$0.45 ุ‹31.27
$0.5 ุ‹34.91
Onion (1kg)
$0.38 ุ‹26.66
$0.23 ุ‹15.85
$0.56 ุ‹38.91
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.41 ุ‹28.56
$0.3 ุ‹20.71
$0.51 ุ‹35.7
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.28 ุ‹19.31
$0.28 ุ‹19.31
$0.28 ุ‹19.31
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$1.26 ุ‹88
$0.84 ุ‹58.6
$1.68 ุ‹117
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.41 ุ‹28.67
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.12 ุ‹77.7
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.18 ุ‹81.9
$0.88 ุ‹61.3
$1.47 ุ‹103
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.51 ุ‹35.84
$0.3 ุ‹20.79
$0.74 ุ‹51.6
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$21.28 ุ‹1,483
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.75 ุ‹52.3
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.33 ุ‹92.8
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.47 ุ‹102
$1.47 ุ‹102
$1.47 ุ‹102
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.1 ุ‹76.8
$0.84 ุ‹58.5
$1.36 ุ‹94.5
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$9,812 ุ‹683.5K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.5K ุ‹2.8M
-
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$110 ุ‹7,633
$76 ุ‹5,297
$143 ุ‹9,969
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.86 ุ‹1,105
$14.42 ุ‹1,004
$17.31 ุ‹1,206
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$284 ุ‹19.8K
$142 ุ‹9,899
$426 ุ‹29.7K
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$10.66 ุ‹742
$7.11 ุ‹495
$14.21 ุ‹990
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.64 ุ‹254
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.33 ุ‹302
-
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$28.08 ุ‹1,956
-
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$12.16 ุ‹847
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$17.53 ุ‹1,221
-
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$86.9 ุ‹6,052
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$42.7 ุ‹2,975
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$144 ุ‹10K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$70.8 ุ‹4,931
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$364 ุ‹25.3K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$146 ุ‹10.2K
-
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$251 ุ‹17.5K
-
Citycost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Mazar-i-Sharif - Frequently Asked Questions
Is the cost of living in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan generally affordable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare with other regional hubs?
Compared with bigger regional hubs, Cost of Living in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan tends to be more approachable for travelers and longer stays. The day-to-day costs lean toward affordability in local markets, street food, and public services, though prices can vary by neighborhood and season. Housing options range from modest apartments to guesthouses, with flexibility for short or longer stays. Transport is practical and inexpensive, with walking-friendly cores and networked minibuses. For digital nomads, a cafe with reliable Wi-Fi can anchor workdays, while occasional power outages linger. Cultural rhythm and slower pace can help budgeting discipline. Tip: Start with a short stay near the old city to test costs and routines.
What does daily life look like here in terms of housing search, food options, transport, and coworking or errands?
Daily life here centers on practical choices. Housing search leans toward small apartments and guesthouses in walkable neighborhoods; negotiate longer leases for better rates. Food options range from bustling local markets to casual eateries, with staples that stretch a budget when you shop and cook at home. Transport is simple: walk where you can, or hop short rides via shared taxis or buses. For work, look for cafes with reliable Wi-Fi or small coworking spaces. Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan living cost often stays reasonable when you balance location, utilities, and seasonal needs. Tip: map a few neighborhoods before you visit.
Whatโ€™s the overall quality of life and what budgeting approach helps, including seasonality and neighborhood fit?
Quality of life here blends culture, safety considerations, and pace. Build a simple budgeting framework: separate essential expenses (housing, food, transport) from discretionary time and activities, and set a small buffer for season shifts. Save by cooking at home, choosing local suppliers, and borrowing gear from neighbors or coworking spaces. Seasonality affects heating or cooling needs and festival periods, which influence crowds in markets and pricing. For neighborhood fit, start in a central, safe area with easy access to groceries and a cafe scene, then explore quieter outskirts if you value space and price. Tip: join community groups to learn real costs.
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