Last update: Oct 2026 Afghanistan 300.6K

Cost of Living in Mazar-i-Sharif

For one person, living costs in Mazar-i-Sharif are estimated at $291 a month, including rent and utilities – 47% below the national average. Rent and utilities take about a third of the total.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Mazar-i-Sharif

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Mazar-i-Sharif actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Living costs for one person come to about $291 monthly including rent, or $208 excluding housing.

$291 /mo

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $459 with rent, or $377 without housing.

$459 /mo

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $627 including rent, or $545 for daily expenses alone.

$627 /mo

Mazar-i-Sharif sits about 78% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are well below average (73% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.27 ؋147
$2.27 ؋147
$2.27 ؋147
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$15.28 ؋990
$7.64 ؋495
$22.92 ؋1,486
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.00 ؋259
$3.89 ؋252
$4.12 ؋267
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.66 ؋497
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.77 ؋503
-
Cappuccino
$1.19 ؋77.1
$0.61 ؋39.48
$2.27 ؋147
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.55 ؋35.61
$0.37 ؋24.16
$0.83 ؋54.1
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32 ؋20.75
$0.32 ؋20.75
$0.32 ؋20.75
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.63 ؋41.01
-
White Bread (500g)
$0.16 ؋10.56
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.06 ؋133
$1.52 ؋98.7
$2.59 ؋168
Eggs
$1.67 ؋108
$1.42 ؋92.0
$1.90 ؋123
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.57 ؋490
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.30 ؋214
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.11 ؋396
-
Apples (1kg)
$0.60 ؋39.18
$0.56 ؋36.48
$0.65 ؋41.89
Banana (1kg)
$1.16 ؋75.5
-
Oranges (1kg)
$0.82 ؋53.4
-
Tomato (1kg)
$0.65 ؋42.19
$0.35 ؋22.77
$0.95 ؋61.6
Potato (1kg)
$0.51 ؋33.22
$0.48 ؋31.18
$0.53 ؋34.57
Onion (1kg)
$0.41 ؋26.59
$0.24 ؋15.29
$0.59 ؋38.55
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.53 ؋34.28
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.32 ؋21.00
$0.32 ؋21.00
$0.32 ؋21.00
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$1.88 ؋122
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.52 ؋98.3
-
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.79 ؋51.1
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.51 ؋98.1
$1.51 ؋98.1
$1.51 ؋98.1
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ؋93.8
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$10.0K ؋650.6K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$82.2 ؋5,326
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.06 ؋1,106
$15.51 ؋1,005
$18.61 ؋1,207
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$11.57 ؋750
$7.71 ؋500
$15.42 ؋1,000
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.87 ؋251
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.71 ؋305
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$78.1 ؋5,064
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$12.97 ؋841
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$18.32 ؋1,188
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$234 ؋15.2K
-

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

Last update: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Mazar-i-Sharif $291
Groceries & Markets
$105
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$99 *
Eating Out
$48
Sport & Entertainment
$21
Clothing & Footwear
$14 *
Getting Around
$3.2 *

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

Average take-home pay sits at $234, while typical expenses reach $291. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $105 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $15.00 for two – well below the Asian average of $36.00.

Cost Highlights

Mazar-i-Sharif has the cheapest white bread in Asia

Family monthly cost (including rent) is cheaper than 97% of cities in Asia

Monthly cost (excluding rent) is cheaper than 97% of cities in Asia

Good to know
🕒 Local time
14:44 2:44 PM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
300,600
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to AFN – Afghanistan Afghani Converter

Afghanistan Afghani exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 64.83 AFN (100 AFN = 1.54 USD). 1 EUR = 72.89 AFN (100 AFN = 1.37 EUR).

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Mazar-i-Sharif Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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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.
What’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.
How affordable is daily life in Mazar-i-Sharif?
Your money goes further in Mazar-i-Sharif than in most cities its size. Expect to spend roughly $291 per month with housing included – groceries, transport, and eating out are all priced well below what you'd pay in comparable urban centers.
How much of a salary does housing take in Mazar-i-Sharif?
At roughly 0% of income going to housing, Mazar-i-Sharif is one of those places where rent doesn't dominate your paycheck. The low ratio is a standout advantage and gives residents real financial breathing room compared to pricier cities.
How much should you earn to live well in Mazar-i-Sharif?
Earning $436 monthly in Mazar-i-Sharif means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.
What are kindergarten prices in Mazar-i-Sharif?
Childcare averages $78.1 monthly at a private kindergarten in Mazar-i-Sharif. For many families, this single cost rivals rent, so it's essential to factor in before making a move.
How much does eating cost in Mazar-i-Sharif?
Groceries in Mazar-i-Sharif cost around $105 monthly – well below what you'd pay in most cities. Fresh produce, staples, and locally made goods are all well-priced, so eating well on a budget is straightforward here.
Is $1,000 enough to live comfortably in Mazar-i-Sharif?
$1,000 stretches far in Mazar-i-Sharif – all-in monthly costs average only $291. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.
Is it possible to save on a local salary in Mazar-i-Sharif?
Monthly expenses in Mazar-i-Sharif run around $291, so putting money aside takes more than $436 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

Mazar-i-Sharif vs other spots: cost of living compared

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