Are you about to move to Cambodia and wondering how much you can afford to live there? The cost of living in Cambodia is relatively low. In this guide, Foyer Global Health shares with you the real cost of living in Cambodia in detail, with a breakdown of all expenditure items.
Overview of the average cost of living in Cambodia
The cost of living for one person in Cambodia is around €800 per month. The cost of living for a family of four in Cambodia is around €2,600 per month.
This budget includes rent and a number of other expenses, such as shopping, healthcare, school fees and transport.
| Services | Average price in Cambodia |
|---|---|
| Average net salary | €315 /month |
| Cost of renting a flat | €380 |
| Price of buying a flat | €1,950/m2 |
| Petrol (1 L) | €1.10 |
| Mobile package (calls + 10 GB data) | €5.70 |
| Cinema ticket | €5.50 |
| Cappuccino in a café | €2.25 |
Cost of living in Cambodia compared with Western Europe
The cost of living in Cambodia is approximately 45% lower than in Western Europe. However, the disparity between salaries and purchasing power is substantial:
- Salary: In Western Europe, the average salary is around €2,530, compared to €315 in Cambodia.
- Purchasing power: The purchasing power in Cambodia is about 75% lower than in Western Europe.
Because of this, many expatriates moving to Cambodia typically work for international companies or choose self-employment as digital nomads or entrepreneurs. This approach allows them to earn salaries well above the local average, boosting their purchasing power and helping them maintain a comfortable standard of living thanks to Cambodia’s lower cost of living.
Currency and exchange rates in Cambodia
The official currency in Cambodia is the Riel, abbreviated ‘KHR’ and indicated by the following local symbol: ‘៛’.
The US dollar is also widely used throughout the country. In general, purchases of between 0.10 and 20 dollars are paid in KHR, while larger amounts are paid in USD. Currently, KHR 4,033 is equivalent to USD 1. (Index as of 19 November 2024).
Accommodation budget in Cambodia
Here is an average of accommodation prices in Cambodia (in US dollars and euros):
Rent in Cambodia:
- For a one-bedroom flat in the city centre, expect to pay between USD 240 and USD 740 (€ 230 and € 700).
- To move in with your family, renting a three-bedroom flat in the city centre costs an average of USD 500 to USD 1,500 (€ 475 to € 1,420).
Rental prices vary slightly from region to region. Here is a brief comparison between the country’s main cities:
| Type of accomodation | Phnom Penh | Sihanoukville | Siem Reap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renting a studio in the city centre | 500 USD (€475) | 400 USD (€380) | 280 USD (€265) |
| Renting a studio outside the city centre | 280 USD (€265) | 300 USD (€285) | 200 USD (€190) |
Buying property in Cambodia:
To become a homeowner, expect to pay USD 2,050 (€ 1,945) per m2 in the city centre, and USD 1,500 (€ 1,420) per m2 in the suburbs. The housing budget also includes energy costs (electricity, air conditioning, heating, water, etc.). For an 85m2 flat, these costs average USD 90 (€ 85) per month. Note that the current price of a kWh of electricity is USD 0.151, or € 0.14.
Grocery prices in Cambodia
The shopping budget is the biggest item of expenditure in Cambodia. On average, it accounts for 37% of the country’s monthly cost of living. The prices of staple foods are among the highest in South-East Asia:
| Grocery item | Price in Cambodia |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 L) | €2 |
| Water (1,5 L) | €0.65 |
| Bread (500 g) | €1,60 |
| Rice (1 kg) | €0.90 |
| Eggs (12 pieces) | €1.80 |
| Local cheese (1 kg) | €13 |
| Chichen fillets (1 kg) | €3.90 |
| Meat (1 kg) | €9 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | €1.33 |
| Onions(1 kg) | €1.15 |
| Salad (1 piece) | €1.40 |
Transport prices in Cambodia
There are four main ways to get around Cambodia, with distinct prices:
Train: several rail lines link the country’s various cities, including Phnom Penh (north) to Sihanoukville and Kampot (south). The average fare for a journey is USD 10 (€ 9.50).
Bus: buses are one of the most popular means of transport in Cambodia, for both urban and inter-city journeys. In Phnom Penh, a journey costs around USD 0.35 (€ 0.33), and between USD 10 and USD 20 (€ 9.50 to € 19) for intercity journeys.
Taxi: the starting fare for taking a taxi is USD 1 (€ 0.95), plus USD 1 per kilometre travelled.
Car: drivers can also get around by car, with an average petrol price of USD 1.15 (€ 1) per litre.
Cost of medical care in Cambodia
Healthcare costs in Cambodia vary depending on the medical establishment but remain well below those in Europe. To give you an idea of the prices, here are the costs of certain healthcare services at the Neak Tep hospital in Siem Reap:
| Medical services | Average price in Cambodia |
|---|---|
| Consultation with a general practitioner | €20 to €28 |
| Consultation with a specialist | €28 |
| 1 hour of physiotherapy | €30 |
| Ultrasound scan | €10 to €28 |
| X-ray | €10 |
| Flu vaccine | €33 |
| Hospitalisation in a standard room | €20/day |
Despite improvements in social security (National Social Security NSSF), the Cambodian healthcare system still relies on limited infrastructure.
To benefit from comprehensive health cover for themselves and their families, many expatriates opt for private international health insurance. This offers access to quality care, reduced waiting times and the possibility of being covered in Cambodia and anywhere else in the world.
Prices for education in Cambodia
Parents with young children can opt for a private kindergarten, which costs an average of USD 300 (€ 285) per month.
At the time of enrolment, an international primary school costs an average of USD 4,200 to USD 21,000 (€ 3,985 to € 19,900) per year per child.
International School of Phnom Penh (ISPP): The oldest international school in the country, it offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum from primary school to the diploma programme. The school’s annual school fees for 2024-2025 are as follows:
- Tuition: Annual fees range from around $9,000 for preschool to $25,000 for high school.
- Additional fees: These include registration and enrolment fees. These can vary and include a one-time registration fee of approximately $1,000–$2,000 depending on the level.
Price of telecommunications services in Cambodia
Telecommunications charges in Cambodia vary according to the operator and the package subscribed to. Here is an average of the prices charged:
- Monthly mobile package (calls +10 GB data): USD 4.5 to 8 (€ 4.30 to 7.60)
- Internet subscription (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data): USD 15 to 45 (€ 14.25 to 43).
Leisure and activities in Cambodia
With its variety of natural landscapes and unique heritage in Asia, Cambodia offers many activities at different prices:
- Visit the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh: USD 10 (9.50 €).
- Discover the temples of Angkor: 37 USD (35 €) per adult.
- Spend a day in Phnom Kulen National Park: 20 USD (19 €) per person.
- Dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant: USD 30 (28.50 €).
- Go to the cinema: USD 6 (5.70 €) per ticket.
- Take out a gym membership: USD 40 (38 €) per month.
Cost of living in Cambodia compared with neighbouring countries
Compared with Vietnam
The cost of living in Vietnam is much lower than in Cambodia.
or one person, expect to pay USD 630 per month, compared with USD 830 in Cambodia, or € 600 compared with € 790.
Compared with Thailand
The cost of living in Cambodia is 9% higher than the cost in Thailand.
While a family of four needs an average monthly budget of USD 2,700 (€ 2,560) in Cambodia, this compares with USD 2,400 (€ 2,270) in Thailand.
Life in Cambodia is more expensive in every respect, with the exception of the cost of housing, which is higher in Thailand.
Compared with Laos
The cost of living in Laos, including rent, is 13% higher than in Cambodia. This difference is mainly in the rental budget:
- Rent for a flat (1 bedroom) in the heart of the city: 490 USD in Cambodia, compared with 850 in Laos, i.e. 465 compared with 805 €.
- Rent for a small flat (1 bedroom) on the outskirts: 250 USD in Cambodia, compared with 650 in Laos, i.e. 237 compared with 615 €.
The average monthly salary in Laos is also higher: USD 450 (€ 430), compared with USD 315 (€ 300).
Cost-of-living indices for countries in South-East Asia (Numbeo 2024)
- Singapore: 76.68
- Cambodia: 37.34
- Thailand: 34.11
- Philippines: 31
- Malaysia: 30
- Vietnam: 28.72
- Indonesia: 26.73