Skyline of Kabul
Cost of Living: 100 4,600,000

Kabul, Afghanistan

Kabul is a major city in Afghanistan with a population of 4,600,000.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Kabul is a city in Kabul with a population of 4,600,000. Kabul is a major city in Afghanistan with a population of 4,600,000. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5b growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. A relatively small share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, with about 250 sunny days a year. The population skews young, with a median age of 19.0.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 100

Below Average vs Afghanistan Avg (100)

Housing Index 110

Above Average

Median Income ؋ 180,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Kabul vs Afghanistan Average

Cost of Living
Kabul: 100
Afghanistan Avg: 100
Housing Index
Kabul: 110
Afghanistan Avg: 100

Taxes

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

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: ؋ 180,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 4,600,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 250/year
  • Summer High: 90°F
  • Winter Low: 28°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: ؋5,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: ؋15000/mo

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Cost of Living

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

CategoryKabulNational AverageDifference
Overall1001000.0%
Housing110100+10.0%

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

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price؋5,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)؋15000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)؋18,750/mo
Price per Sq Ft؋3,333

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

؋
%
$90,000 down
%
%
؋

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Kabul:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity؋500
Heating & Cooling؋63Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)؋10Estimated 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؋1273Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

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

Remote Work Score

Kabul scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 100
Rent
— ؋15000
Sunny Days
— 250
Tax
— None
Unemployment
— 5.0%
Climate
— 90°F / 28°F
Safety
— 6.5 homicides/100k
Population
— 4,600,000
Internet Speed
— 8 Mbps

Climate

Kabul has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January48°F28°F2.5"
April75°F43°F2.8"
July90°F65°F1.5"
October70°F46°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Kabul 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.

Universities & Higher Education

5
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Kabul is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Hazara
9.0%
Other
13.0%
Pashtun
42.0%
Tajik
27.0%
Uzbek
9.0%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.0%
High school graduate
20.0%
Less than high school
60.0%
Some college
10.0%

Religion

Muslim
99.0%
Other
1.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: National Statistics and Information Authority (2020)

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 Kabul, Afghanistan?

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

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

The median home price in Kabul is ؋5,000,000. The housing index is 110.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Kabul is approximately ؋15000/mo.

Does Kabul, Kabul have income tax?

Kabul is in Kabul, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Kabul?

Kabul enjoys approximately 250 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 90°F, while winter lows can drop to around 28°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: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.