Afghanistan🇦🇫
At a Glance
How Afghanistan compares across key indices
Cost of Living
20 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
25/100
Healthcare
43/100
Quality of Life
52/200
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in Afghanistan
Cost of Living
20
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
15
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
20
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
21
100 = NYC dining
Safety & Crime
Higher RiskHow safe residents feel in Afghanistan - based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
25/100
Crime Index
80/100
Lower is better
Walking Safety
0 point drop from day to night
Cities in Afghanistan
Afghanistan has 54 modeled cities; this view starts with 40 curated or popular options. Monthly costs for a single person range from $394 in Zaranj to $540 in Kabul. Jalālābād leads on safety, scoring 25/100. Jalālābād ranks highest for quality of life at 60/200.
Zaranj
$394/mo
Jalālābād
25/100
Jalālābād
60/200
Kabul
58/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kabul | $540 | 17/100 | 60/200 | 58/100 | 95 |
| Herāt | $445 | 24/100 | 60/200 | 47/100 | 94 |
| Kandahār | $443 | 24/100 | 60/200 | 46/100 | 93 |
| Mazār-e Sharīf | $443 | 24/100 | 60/200 | 46/100 | 93 |
| Jalālābād | $429 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 44/100 | 91 |
| Kunduz | $418 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 42/100 | 89 |
| Ghazni | $416 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 42/100 | 88 |
| Balkh | $411 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 41/100 | 87 |
| Baghlān | $410 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 41/100 | 87 |
| Gardez | $409 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 41/100 | 87 |
| Khōst | $407 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 41/100 | 87 |
| Maymana | $402 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 40/100 | 86 |
| Khanabad | $401 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 40/100 | 86 |
| Bāzār-e Yakāwlang | $399 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 85 |
| Bāzārak | $399 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 85 |
| Khulm | $399 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 85 |
| Taloqan | $399 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 85 |
| Bāmyān | $398 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 85 |
| Pul-e Khumrī | $396 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 85 |
| Shibirghān | $396 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 85 |
| Charikar | $395 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 85 |
| Sar-e Pul | $395 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 84 |
| Zaranj | $394 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 84 |
| Paghmān | $394 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 84 |
| Asadābād | $394 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 84 |
| Aībak | $394 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 84 |
| Fayzabad | $394 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 84 |
| Lashkar Gāh | $394 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 84 |
| Gereshk | $394 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 84 |
| Farah | $394 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 84 |
| Istālif | $394 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 84 |
| Andkhoy | $394 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 84 |
| Bahārak | $394 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 84 |
| Nīlī | $394 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 84 |
| Ghormach | $394 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 84 |
| Shīnḏanḏ | $394 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 84 |
| Rustāq | $394 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 84 |
| Khān Neshīn | $394 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 84 |
| Qarāwul | $394 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 84 |
| Jurm | $394 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 39/100 | 84 |
Freedom Abroad estimates are modeled for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare
Healthcare system overview for Afghanistan
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Environment
PollutedAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in Afghanistan
Pollution Index
92/100
Lower is better
PM2.5
46.1ug/m3
Unhealthy for sensitive
Environmental Quality
Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in Afghanistan, answered with data
What is the cost of living in Afghanistan?
Afghanistan has a cost of living index of 20 relative to New York City (100). It is significantly cheaper than the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $409 in Gardez and reach $540 in Kabul.
What is the cheapest city in Afghanistan for expats?
Gardez is the most affordable city in Afghanistan in Freedom Abroad estimates, with estimated monthly costs of $409 for a single person including rent. Baghlān is the next most affordable at $410/mo.
Is Afghanistan safe for expats?
Afghanistan has a safety index of 25/100, making it worth researching carefully before committing for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Jalālābād scores highest on safety at 25/100.
What is the best city in Afghanistan for expats and digital nomads?
Jalālābād ranks highest for quality of life in Afghanistan, scoring 60/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $429/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Gardez offers the lowest monthly costs at $409/mo.
How good is healthcare in Afghanistan?
Afghanistan scores 43/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it limited in some areas by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.
Is Afghanistan cheaper than the United States?
Yes. Afghanistan's cost of living is roughly 80% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 85% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
What is the air quality and pollution like in Afghanistan?
Afghanistan has a pollution index of 92/100 (lower = cleaner). Pollution can be a concern in urban areas. Research specific cities before committing, as rural and coastal areas typically fare better.
Before You Go
Your pre-departure checklist for Afghanistan
Plan Your Move
Where Can I Move?
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Build My Escape Plan
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Compare Countries
Side-by-side breakdown of cost of living, safety, healthcare, and more.
Cost of Living
Model monthly costs with Freedom Abroad estimates before you narrow the shortlist.
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Book Your First Accommodation
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Cost of living, safety, school, and quality-of-life figures on this page are Freedom Abroad estimates or verified public records modeled from open sources. Data sources
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