Skyline of Jalalabad
Cost of Living: 78 350,000

Jalalabad, Afghanistan

Jalalabad is a major city in Afghanistan with a population of 350,000.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 78

Below Average vs Afghanistan Avg (100)

Housing Index 82

Affordable

Median Income ؋ 130,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Jalalabad vs Afghanistan Average

Cost of Living
Jalalabad: 78
Afghanistan Avg: 100
Housing Index
Jalalabad: 82
Afghanistan Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 0.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: ؋ 130,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 350,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 290/year
  • Summer High: 98°F
  • Winter Low: 42°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Housing

  • Median Home: ؋2,500,000
  • 1BR Rent: ؋8000/mo

Cost of Living

Jalalabad's cost of living index is 78 (Afghanistan average = 100).

CategoryJalalabadNational AverageDifference
Overall78100-22.0%
Housing82100-18.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price؋2,500,000
Median Rent (1BR)؋8000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)؋10,000/mo
Price per Sq Ft؋1,666

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

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$90,000 down
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Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Jalalabad:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity؋500
Heating & Cooling؋22Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)؋45Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water؋200Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)؋500Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities؋1267Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Jalalabad scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
78
Rent
؋8000
Sunny Days
290
Tax
None
Unemployment
5.0%
Climate
98°F / 42°F
Safety
6.5 homicides/100k
Population
350,000
Internet Speed
8 Mbps

Climate

Jalalabad has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January62°F42°F2.5"
April83°F57°F2.8"
July98°F73°F1.5"
October78°F60°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Jalalabad faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake High Risk

Active seismic zone with significant earthquake risk.

Drought High Risk

Frequent drought conditions.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Sandstorm High Risk

Frequent sandstorms.

Avalanche High Risk

Hindu Kush region with avalanches.

Landslide Moderate Risk

Mountainous region with landslides.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

High-altitude regions experience extreme cold.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 0%
  • Property Tax: ~0.1% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.0%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Academic Year March to December
Term System Semester — Spring (Mar-Jun), Fall (Sep-Dec)
Summer Break June to September (12 weeks)
Winter Break December to March (12 weeks)
Spring Break Nowruz in March (1 week)

Long winter break due to harsh weather. Many schools operate in shifts.

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Jalalabad, Afghanistan?

The cost of living index in Jalalabad is 78, which is Lower the Afghanistan national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Jalalabad?

The median home price in Jalalabad is ؋2,500,000. The housing index is 82.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Jalalabad is approximately ؋8000/mo.

Does Jalalabad, Nangarhar have income tax?

Jalalabad is in Nangarhar, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Jalalabad?

Jalalabad enjoys approximately 290 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 98°F, while winter lows can drop to around 42°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.