Cambodia is a Southeast Asian country of about 17 million people, centered on Phnom Penh and the temple city of Siem Reap. The climate is tropical with a monsoon season (May to October) bringing heavy rain and heat year-round. Daily life centers on markets, motorbikes, and small family businesses. Most residents work in agriculture, garment manufacturing, or service industries. Traffic is dense and unregulated in cities. The population is predominantly Khmer-speaking and Buddhist. Infrastructure outside major cities is basic. Foreign residents cluster in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, where English is more common than elsewhere.
💡 Local Insights
Cambodia · 2026
Cambodia costs $1,000/month for a moderate lifestyle, but costs are highly location and choice dependent. Phnom Penh and Siem Reap drive prices up; rural areas cost far less. Housing is the biggest variable. A one-bedroom apartment in Phnom Penh's expat zones (BKK1, Toul Kork) runs $400 to $700/month. Local Khmer neighborhoods are $200 to $400. Siem Reap is slightly cheaper than Phnom Penh. Food is inexpensive if you eat local: street meals are $1 to $3, local restaurants $3 to $8. Western groceries (imported) cost 2 to 3 times more than local equivalents. Motorbikes and tuk-tuks are the main transport; gasoline is cheap but public buses are limited. Expats often pay 30 to 50 percent more than locals for the same services (rent, schools, healthcare). Water, internet, and utilities vary by neighborhood quality but are generally low. Visa extensions and healthcare for serious conditions require planning and budget buffer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to live in Cambodia per month?
A moderate lifestyle costs around $1,000/month. This covers a modest one-bedroom apartment ($400-500 in local areas, more in expat zones), food ($200-300 eating mostly local), utilities and internet ($50-70), transport ($30-50 on motorbike or tuk-tuks), and entertainment or miscellaneous ($100-150). A budget tier ($600/month) requires shared housing, eating very locally, minimal activities, and no major purchases. A comfortable lifestyle ($1,550/month) includes a larger apartment, regular restaurant meals, occasional travel, and higher-quality services.
What is the average rent in Cambodia?
Rent varies sharply by location and who is renting to you. In Phnom Penh, one-bedroom apartments in local Khmer neighborhoods rent for $200 to $350/month. Expat-oriented areas (BKK1, Toul Kork, Chakto Mukh) command $450 to $800/month for equivalent space. Siem Reap is roughly 10 to 20 percent cheaper. Two-bedroom places in Phnom Penh range from $400 (local area) to $1,200 (expat zone). Rental agreements are typically month-to-month or one year. Expats are often quoted higher prices; negotiating and using local agents can reduce costs by 20 percent.
Is Cambodia cheap to live in for expats?
Yes, by global standards. A single expat can live on $1,000/month without hardship, including decent housing and meals out. Compared to neighboring Thailand or Vietnam, Cambodia is slightly cheaper, though less developed in services. The catch is that expats often pay a markup: landlords charge more, restaurants charge more, and healthcare is limited so serious problems require travel to Bangkok or Singapore. Your comfort also depends on what you give up. If you live like a local (renting in Khmer areas, eating street food, using tuk-tuks), costs drop to $600 to $800/month. If you want air conditioning, imported food, and frequent flights out, expect $1,500 to $2,000/month.
How much does food cost per month in Cambodia?
Food is cheap if you eat local. A street meal (noodles, rice, grilled meat) costs $0.75 to $2. Local restaurants charge $3 to $8 per meal. A loaf of local bread is $0.30; local vegetables are $0.50 to $1 per item. A month of eating mostly local costs $150 to $250. Imported foods (cereals, cheese, Western brands) cost 2 to 4 times more. Eating mostly Western restaurants (pizzas, burgers, cafes) runs $400 to $600/month. Mid-range eating (mix of local and occasional Western, some groceries) costs $250 to $350/month. Markets are cheapest; supermarkets (Aeon, Lucky) charge higher prices but have more choice.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Cambodia?
A comfortable lifestyle runs about $1,550/month, or roughly $18,600/year. This supports a one-bedroom apartment in a decent neighborhood ($500-700), eating out regularly at mid-range restaurants ($350-400/month), utilities and internet ($60-80), transport ($50-70), and entertainment or travel ($200-250). For a family of four, add 60 to 80 percent. Many expat professionals negotiate remote salaries in USD; a $2,000 to $3,000/month freelance income is considered very comfortable and allows for flights home, saving, and supporting local staff. Without savings or stable income, $1,550/month works but leaves no buffer for emergencies or visa issues.
How does the cost of living in Cambodia compare to other places?
Cambodia is cheaper than Thailand, especially outside Bangkok, and roughly level with rural Vietnam. A $1,000/month moderate lifestyle is harder to achieve in Bangkok (requires $1,400+) or Ho Chi Minh City ($1,200+). Food, rent, and transport are all lower in Cambodia than in Thailand's major cities. Compared to the Philippines, costs are similar, though Cambodia has fewer Western services and more friction for long-term visa stays. Compared to Indonesia, Cambodia's major cities are pricier per service quality, but rural Cambodia is cheaper. The trade-off: Cambodia offers low costs but fewer amenities, less reliable infrastructure, and more limited expat infrastructure than Thailand or Vietnam.
Can you live in Cambodia on $600/month?
Yes, but with real constraints. Budget living means shared housing ($150-250/month), eating almost entirely local street food and markets ($100-150/month), no personal transport (using shared tuk-tuks, $20-30/month), and minimal entertainment or activities ($50-100/month). Internet, phone, and utilities run $30-50. This leaves room for occasional meals out and small purchases. Most people on this budget are either backpackers or long-term residents with low consumption habits. Medical emergencies, visa issues, or family support will break this budget. It is doable but requires discipline, local knowledge, and acceptance of basic living conditions. Many expats use $600 as a temporary or retreat budget, not primary.
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