Country topic
Cost of living in Cambodia
Prices overall in Cambodia were about 0.34 of United States prices at market exchange rates in 2025 (World Bank price level index 33.62, with the United States at 100). It is an economy-wide average, not a budget for one household. [Cost of living C1] A private expat guide (expatlife.ai, verified 13 August 2026) gives a comfortable monthly total for one person in central Phnom Penh of $800 to $1,400: rent $400 to $700 for a one-bedroom in BKK1 or Tonle Bassac ($250 to $450 in Toul Tom Poung), groceries $100 to $200, transport $40 to $80, utilities and internet $60 to $120 and dining out $80 to $150. [C2]
What we found
The research, with its sources.
Research information, not advice. Rules change, so check the source before you act on one.
- Prices overall in Cambodia were about 0.34 of United States prices at market exchange rates in 2025 (World Bank price level index 33.62, with the United States at 100). It is an economy-wide average, not a budget for one household. [Cost of living C1]
- A private expat guide (expatlife.ai, verified 13 August 2026) gives a comfortable monthly total for one person in central Phnom Penh of $800 to $1,400: rent $400 to $700 for a one-bedroom in BKK1 or Tonle Bassac ($250 to $450 in Toul Tom Poung), groceries $100 to $200, transport $40 to $80, utilities and internet $60 to $120 and dining out $80 to $150. [C2]
- Seven one-bedroom adverts seen in Phnom Penh on 16 October 2026 asked US$300 to US$700 a month: US$300 and US$450 in Tonle Bassac, US$450 in Toul Kork, US$500 near Russian Market, US$350 and US$600 in Daun Penh and US$700 for a serviced flat near BKK1. Where stated, electricity was US$0.25 to US$0.30 a kWh, water US$0.30 to US$0.70 a cubic metre and the deposit one month. These are asking rents, not averages. [C9] [C10] [C11] [C12] [C13] [C14] [C15]
- One Siem Reap advert seen on 16 October 2026 (Sla Kram, furnished, pool and Wi-Fi) asked US$400 a month, deposit not stated. That is above the guide's $150 to $350 for a central one-bedroom, so one advert and one guide do not agree; neither is an average. [C16] [C3]
- The same guide says Phnom Penh rent, food and services are priced in US dollars. It lists tuk-tuk rides at $1 to $4, motorbike rental at $60 to $100 a month, and coworking desks at $60 to $180 a month with day passes of $5 to $10. These are one guide's ranges. [C2]
- For Siem Reap the guide gives a comfortable monthly total of $500 to $800: a central one-bedroom at $150 to $350, groceries $60 to $120, transport $20 to $50, utilities and internet $40 to $80 and dining out $60 to $120. [C3]
- In Siem Reap the guide lists motorbike rental at $40 to $70 a month, tuk-tuk rides at $1 to $3, bicycle rental at $1 to $2 a day, and coworking desks at $50 to $75 a month. It estimates internet at about 20 to 50 Mbps, with no tests cited. [C3]
- For Kampot the guide gives a comfortable monthly total of $400 to $700: a one-bedroom or studio at $100 to $250, groceries $50 to $100, transport $30 to $60, utilities and internet $30 to $60 and dining out $50 to $100. [C4]
- In Kampot the guide lists motorbike rental at $40 to $60 a month and a coworking desk at $40 to $60 a month. It estimates internet at about 15 to 30 Mbps and says it can be unreliable in storms; no tests are cited. [C4]
- Cambodia has 4.15 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people (ITU, 2024). That counts subscriptions, not speeds, and city speeds are not measured here. [C5]
- Canada says doctors and hospitals may require cash payment or written guarantees from insurers in advance, and that medical evacuation to Thailand or Singapore is often required. WHO's service coverage index is 62 of 100 (2023). Insurance prices are unknown here. [C6] [C7]
- Foreign nationals generally cannot own land in Cambodia, according to the 2023 investment handbook; strata titles on condominiums are the only title it says is granted to foreigners. Purchase prices were not researched, so property costs are unknown here. [C8]
The Fernshore Index
How the Index grades the cost of living.
Each grade is against a published measure, with its source and the date we checked it. It is research information, not advice. Where we have no figure, the row says Unknown.
Cost of living
89 of 100Strong
Price level 0.336 of United States prices (2025).
Source: Price level index (GDP), Cambodia. Checked 15 October 2026.
The country
More on Cambodia.
Topics
More about Cambodia.
Questions about Cost of living in Cambodia.
How do prices in Cambodia compare with the United States?
Prices overall in Cambodia are about 0.34 of United States prices at market exchange rates (World Bank price level index 33.62, 2025). That is an economy-wide average, not a budget for one household, and it does not show what rent, food or any single item costs.
What does a one-bedroom rental cost in Cambodia?
One private guide (verified August 2026) gives $400 to $700 a month for a central Phnom Penh one-bedroom, $150 to $350 in Siem Reap and $100 to $250 in Kampot. Seven Phnom Penh adverts seen on 16 October 2026 asked US$300 to US$700. These are guide ranges and asking rents, not averages; no official figure was found.
What does a comfortable month cost for one person?
The same guide's all-in totals for one person, central area, eating out a few times a week, are $800 to $1,400 in Phnom Penh, $500 to $800 in Siem Reap and $400 to $700 in Kampot, with rent included. They are estimates from one private guide, not a survey.
What do transport and internet cost?
The guide lists tuk-tuk rides at $1 to $4 in Phnom Penh, motorbike rental at $40 to $100 a month across the three cities, and coworking desks from $40 to $180. Cambodia has 4.15 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people (ITU, 2024); home internet prices are unknown here.
What does healthcare cost, and which currency do I pay in?
Healthcare prices and insurance costs are unknown here. Canada says you may need to pay cash or show an insurer's guarantee in advance. The official currency is the riel, but a private guide says rent, food and services in Phnom Penh are priced in US dollars.
Sources
Where each figure comes from.
Every figure on this page links to the page we read, with the date we checked it.
- [KH C1] Price level index (GDP), Cambodia, World Bank. Checked 15 October 2026. 2025: 33.62 (United States = 100), read from the World Bank API on 15 October 2026.
- [Cost of living C1] Price level index (GDP), Cambodia, World Bank. Checked 15 October 2026.
- [C2] Living in Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2026: cost of living, neighborhoods and expat tips, expatlife.ai (private expat guide, not official). Checked 16 October 2026.
- [C9] 1 bed, 2 bath apartment for rent in Tonle Bassac, Realestate.com.kh (private property portal). Checked 16 October 2026.
- [C10] 1 bed, 1 bath apartment for rent in Phsar Thmei I, near Central Market, Realestate.com.kh (private property portal). Checked 16 October 2026.
- [C11] 1 bed, 1 bath condo for rent in Tonle Bassac (The Pinnacle Residence), Realestate.com.kh (private property portal). Checked 16 October 2026.
- [C12] 1 bed, 1 bath condo for rent in Boeung Kak 1, Toul Kork, Realestate.com.kh (private property portal). Checked 16 October 2026.
- [C13] 1 bed, 1 bath apartment for rent in Toul Tum Poung 1 (Russian Market), Realestate.com.kh (private property portal). Checked 16 October 2026.
- [C14] 1 bed, 1 bath serviced apartment for rent in Srah Chak (Wyndham Grand Phnom Penh Capital), Realestate.com.kh (private property portal). Checked 16 October 2026.
- [C15] 1 bed, 1 bath serviced apartment for rent in Boeung Trabek (5 minutes' walk to BKK1), Realestate.com.kh (private property portal). Checked 16 October 2026.
- [C16] 1 bed, 1 bath apartment for rent in Sla Kram, Siem Reap, Realestate.com.kh (private property portal). Checked 16 October 2026.
- [C3] Living in Siem Reap, Cambodia 2026: cost of living, neighborhoods and expat tips, expatlife.ai (private expat guide, not official). Checked 16 October 2026.
- [C4] Living in Kampot, Cambodia 2026: cost of living, neighborhoods and expat tips, expatlife.ai (private expat guide, not official). Checked 16 October 2026.
- [C5] Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Cambodia, International Telecommunication Union, via the World Bank. Checked 15 October 2026.
- [C6] Cambodia travel advice and advisories (updated 14 October 2026), Government of Canada (travel.gc.ca). Checked 16 October 2026.
- [C7] UHC service coverage index (SDG 3.8.1), World Health Organization. Checked 15 October 2026.
- [C8] Handbook on Investing in Cambodia, 2023 edition (Property ownership, page 60), Council for the Development of Cambodia (government investment body), with the Australian government. Checked 16 October 2026.