How Much Does It Cost to Live In Cambodia?
Choosing to relocate is a tough decision and numerous doubts go through our minds before making it.
What we should do is get acquainted with all the pros and cons related to the place where we want to move.
People’s opinions are different, but one is sure.
According to their experience, we can conclude what the right decision for us is.
Cambodia is definitely one of the cheapest destinations, and if you happen to earn a salary in a more developed country, your life there will be joyful and stress-free.
Cambodia : Cost of Living by City
RESTAURANTS
Cambodia restaurants are cheap mostly for people who come from rich countries.
The price of a meal is only $3.50 and you can drink a bottle of beer at the price of $1.
Those low prices are due to the poor standard of living of Cambodia’s inhabitants.
| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $3.50 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $1 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.58 |
MARKETS
Some people prefer eating out to preparing their own meals at home, and this is quite affordable in Cambodia if you come from a rich country.
The price of milk is rather high here, while other groceries, fruit, and vegetables can be found at reasonable prices at the local markets.
| Average Market Prices | |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 Liter) | $2.15 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $1.80 |
| Eggs (12) | $1.81 |
TRANSPORTATION
If you decide to drive, you may find the price of gasoline rather low, not exceeding $1.17 per liter.
Affected by the low price of gasoline, public transportation is also very affordable.
A monthly ticket is a perfect option for those who commute daily and do not possess their own vehicle.
| Average Transport Prices | |
|---|---|
| One Way Ticket | $1.00 |
| Monthly Pass | $12.00 |
| Gasoline | $1.17 |
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
Being that the living conditions are so poor, the utility prices are extremely high in Cambodia.
Actually, they are equally high as in some other countries where the minimum monthly wage is not above $200.
The Internet is too expensive and inaccessible to many people in Cambodia.
| Average Utilities Prices | |
|---|---|
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $99.38 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.04 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $35.06 |
SPORTS & LEISURE
The Cambodians who earn the minimum salary do not spend money on things such as cinemas and sports, not because they would not love to, but because there is no money left for it.
These activities are available only to those who earn much more than the average person there, being that the fitness monthly fee is over $50.
| Average Leisure Prices | |
|---|---|
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $53.79 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $12.3 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $5 |
CLOTHING & SHOES
If you are spending money on shopping for clothes, then Cambodia would cut your expenses in half, due to the fact that clothing item prices are extremely low in relation to other more developed countries.
For people in Cambodia, they are high and only 2% of the monthly budget is spent on them.
| Average Clothing Prices | |
|---|---|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $22.77 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $18.00 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $74.25 |
RENT PER MONTH
Whether you want an apartment in the city center or away from it, to have one bedroom or more bedrooms, to be fully furnished or not, it all depends on you.
Different options are available and the decision is yours, but pay attention to the prices.
The difference between the same size apartments in the city center and out of it is about $200.
| Average Rent Prices | |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $412.60 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $248.52 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $1104.29 |
HEALTHCARE
Public healthcare is low-cost but limited in quality, so private clinics and hospitals are widely used, especially in cities.
There is no mandatory health insurance system, and private insurance typically costs about 30 to 70 USD per month.
Out-of-pocket spending is very high, averaging roughly 300 to 600 USD per person per year for consultations, hospital care, and medications.
With average monthly salaries of around 300 to 400 USD, healthcare expenses can represent a large financial burden for many households.
EDUCATION
Public primary and secondary schools are tuition-free, but families pay for uniforms, books, supplies, and transportation.
Private schools, including international schools, charge between $3,000 and $15,000 per year.
Public universities charge modest tuition, generally around $500 to $1,500 per year, while private universities can range from $2,000 to $8,000 annually.
Students also cover housing, food, transport, and textbooks.
Average monthly income is roughly $250, making higher education and private schooling a substantial share of household income.
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Cambodia?
Whenever you would want to live, finding a place to stay is very important and due to the high rent prices in Cambodia, you might have some difficulties finding the right apartment to suit your needs.
People from Cambodia are not rich, and their monthly salaries are so low, that they can barely survive from month to month.
That is why they spend money only on those things that are crucial for living, like food, rent, and commuting.
All the other things, such as entertainment, sport, and clothes are affordable to those who earn above the average amount.
Average Costs Breakdown
Cambodia: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
Cambodia is probably best known for its low prices due to its low living standard.
However, rent prices are not affordable at all, especially if you get a salary in Cambodia.
Actually, a family who rents a three-bedroom apartment pays approximately $1100 and earns the minimum monthly salary of $190 would not be able to survive.
Even if they have the average monthly salary, that would not be enough just for the rent.
So, the living standard of Cambodian citizens is below the minimum.
Cambodia Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Cambodia Safety Review
| OVERALL RISK | LOW |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK | MEDIUM |
| PICKPOCKETS RISK | HIGH |
| NATURAL DISASTERS RISK | MEDIUM |
| MUGGING RISK | MEDIUM |
| TERRORISM RISK | LOW |
| SCAMS RISK | HIGH |
| WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK | MEDIUM |
| TAP WATER RISK | HIGH |
Cost of Living by City in Cambodia
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Phnom Penh |
45.67 |
