Cost of living in Cambodia 2026: Honest monthly budget guide

If you see yourself living in Southeast Asia, Cambodia is among the more affordable options, though the popular area of Phnom Penh has become noticeably more expensive in expat districts. A single person living in Cambodia as an average spender can expect to spend around $1,300 a month.

This guide covers the real cost of living in Cambodia per month across housing, food, transport, healthcare and lifestyle, with expat context so you can judge whether the numbers support the lifestyle you wish for.

Average cost of living in Cambodia at a glance

The average cost of living in Cambodia is around $1,300 per month for one person, including rent, food, transport, utilities, dining out, and private health insurance. 

The table below compares three lifestyle tiers: low-spender for a budget-conscious lifestyle, average-spender for moderate everyday spending, and big-spender for more expensive housing and lifestyle choices. Use these estimates to identify which budget best reflects how you plan to live in Cambodia.

Note: Low-spender figures assume a basic apartment outside the center, local markets and home cooking, the use of tuk-tuks or a motorbike, and minimal private health cover. Big-spender figures reflect a central or high-demand neighborhood (BKK1, Tonle Bassac), frequent Western-style dining, regular Grab (ride-hailing app) or car use, and comprehensive health insurance.

Housing costs in Cambodia

A solid one-bedroom apartment in a safe Phnom Penh neighborhood typically costs around $450–$700 a month, making housing the largest single line in the cost of living in Cambodia for most newcomers, yet still well below equivalent US city rents which would typically start above $1,000.

• Renting in Phnom Penh: Studios and basic one-bedrooms in local neighborhoods often start around $250–$400. Mid-range furnished options in popular expat areas such as BKK1, BKK2, Tonle Bassac or near the riverside commonly land between $500 and $900. Serviced apartments and newer buildings cost more. Many leases are monthly or short-term; deposits of one to two months are common. Electricity and internet access are almost always extra.
• Renting in secondary cities: In Siem Reap, you get more for your money. Clean and decent one-bedrooms in good areas often range from $250–$450. Kampot, Battambang and smaller towns can be lower. These places suit people who want a quieter pace, lower costs, and easier daily life away from the capital’s traffic and heat.
• Buying property: Foreigners cannot own land freehold in Cambodia but can own condo units under certain conditions and use long-term leases or company structures. Rules are specific and can change; treat any purchase as a longer-term decision and work with a licensed local attorney. Most new arrivals choose to rent first.

Note: A local average salary is far lower than a typical US remote or retirement income, so the same rent takes a much larger share of a Cambodian paycheck than of a dollar salary. For example, a local worker living in a $450–$700 apartment would have to spend almost all of their paycheck on rent. This is why many Cambodians share housing or live farther out.

Users on Reddit and expat forums often note that well-maintained, secure buildings in popular districts remain in demand and that advertised prices can be higher than what longer-term residents actually pay. These are just anecdotal observations, not statistics.

Food and grocery costs in Cambodia

A single person who shops mainly at local markets and cooks at home can keep monthly grocery spending around $180–$280 which is roughly one half to two-thirds of a typical US grocery bill.

A simple local meal or street-food plate often costs $1.50–$3. A meal at a mid-range restaurant runs $6–$12 per person; Western-style or expat-oriented places are higher in price but still affordable. Imported cheese, wine, specialty coffee and familiar US brands carry a noticeable markup. Local markets are the best way to control food costs.

Transport costs in Cambodia

Public transport is limited in Cambodia. Most people rely on tuk-tuks, Grab, PassApp or a motorbike. A realistic monthly budget for regular short trips is $30–$60; heavy Grab use or regular longer rides pushes it higher. Motorbike rental or ownership is common and keeps daily costs low once you have the vehicle. Taxis and rideshares cost less than many US city equivalents for short trips yet add up if used daily. 

A car is rarely necessary inside Phnom Penh or Siem Reap but becomes useful for regional travel. Fuel is moderately priced by regional standards but can feel on the higher side compared to the US. Gasoline typically costs around $1.30 per liter (roughly $5 per US gallon).

Healthcare costs in Cambodia

Expats in Cambodia generally cannot rely on the public system for the standard of care they expect. Private clinics and international hospitals in Phnom Penh (and to a lesser extent Siem Reap) are the practical option. Individual private or international health insurance in Cambodia commonly runs at $80–$200 a month for comprehensive cover that includes medical evacuation. This is important because complex cases are often referred to Bangkok or Singapore. 

Quality is highest in the capital’s private facilities and rural care is limited. Always verify current rates, exclusions, and evacuation cover with a licensed broker.

Monthly budget breakdown: What does life in Cambodia actually cost?

The three totals below match the table earlier. They show what each lifestyle feels like rather than introducing new numbers.

• Low-spender ($670): Basic one-bedroom outside the center, home cooking from markets, tuk-tuks or motorbike, minimal entertainment and basic or no private insurance. Suits someone living carefully on a modest pension or reduced remote income who can adapt to local rhythms.
• Average-spender ($1,300): Comfortable one-bedroom in a safe Phnom Penh neighborhood, mix of cooking and eating out, occasional Grab, regular small pleasures and standard private insurance with evacuation. This is the figure used in the introduction and works for most US remote workers or retirees with solid Social Security or investment income who want balance without excess.
• Big-spender ($2,530): Higher-end or central apartment, frequent Western restaurant meals, regular Grab or car use, comprehensive international healthcare and more imported goods. Realistic for someone earning a full US salary who wants Western-style convenience in BKK1 or similar areas and is willing to pay the premium.

Is Cambodia cheaper than the US?

Yes. Overall, the cost of living in Cambodia is substantially lower than in the United States for the day-to-day expenses. Housing outside the top expat compounds, local food, everyday transport and basic services deliver the largest savings. Imported goods, brand-name products, international-standard healthcare and housing in the most popular Phnom Penh districts can approach or exceed US prices for equivalent quality. Currency risk is limited because the US dollar is widely used alongside the riel (Cambodia’s national currency).

Stay connected in Cambodia and beyond with Holafly

If you are planning an extended stay or permanent move to Cambodia, reliable internet from day one will make things feel smoother. Whether you decide to travel within the region or back to your home country, you’ll need connectivity that works across borders without hunting for a new SIM every trip. Holafly Plans offer a monthly subscription covering 160+ destinations.

The Unlimited Plan includes:

• Unlimited data
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• A local US, UK or Canada number

The Light Plan suits moderate data needs. Both include Always On (see how it works in our Always On FAQ), and a free 1 GB monthly backup that activates automatically. No contracts, and you cancel at any time. See our eSIM Cambodia page or explore the full range of options on the Holafly homepage.

FAQ: Cost of living in Cambodia

How much money do I need to live in Cambodia?

A realistic single-person budget starts around $700–$900 for a careful local lifestyle and rises to about $1,300 for comfortable average spending in Phnom Penh. Couples commonly plan $1800–$2500 depending on location and habits. Siem Reap and smaller towns are usually lower.

Is Cambodia a good country to retire in?

For many people it is. The climate, low overall costs, friendly atmosphere and improving private healthcare appeal to retirees. Success depends on choosing the right location for your budget, arranging reliable health insurance with evacuation cover, and handling visa and banking practicalities carefully.

Which is cheaper, Thailand or Cambodia?

Cambodia is generally cheaper than Thailand, especially outside the most tourist-oriented pockets. Phnom Penh can approach prices in secondary Thai cities for housing in popular districts, but everyday food, transport and local services remain lower in Cambodia for most people.

How much is rent in Cambodia per month?

In Phnom Penh a basic one-bedroom often starts around $250–$400 outside the center and $500–$900 in popular expat areas. Siem Reap and smaller cities are typically $200–$450 for a clean one-bedroom. Serviced apartments and villas cost more.

Sources and methodology

Figures are drawn from the National Institute of Statistics of Cambodia (Cambodia Socio-Economic Survey 2023 and Consumer Price Index reports through mid-2026), market rental evidence from major Cambodian property portals, published private-insurance premium ranges for expats, and practical cost reports from long-term residents. Each persona total is the sum of the six listed categories using a single median value per category. Expat forum input supplements the verified data with real cost-of-living experience and is clearly flagged as anecdotal.

• National Institute of Statistics of Cambodia – Cambodia Socio-Economic Survey 2023 (Final Report)
• National Institute of Statistics of Cambodia – Consumer Price Index (CPI) reports, including June 2026
• r/Cambodia (2025–2026 threads) 

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Letara Draghia

English Copywriter

I've been a copywriter for over a decade, working mostly in the retail industry. I've managed copywriting teams and contributed to major campaigns for F&F at Tesco, TK Maxx, and Dreams. I also work part-time as a news writer. Outside of work, I love to cook, and a fun fact about me is that I have a phobia of bananas—it's the smell!

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