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Cost of Living in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia · Population 2,129,371 · National capital

▲ +25% vs Cambodia average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)៛2,311,950 ($564)
Couple, monthly៛4,173,271 ($1,018)
Family of four, monthly៛5,464,344 ($1,333)

Estimated Prices in Phnom Penh

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant៛22,386 ($5.46)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range៛89,544 ($21.84)per meal
Cappuccino៛6,716 ($1.64)each
Monthly groceries (single person)៛507,416 ($124)per month
Monthly public transport pass៛82,082 ($20.02)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment៛216,398 ($52.78)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)៛62,681 ($15.29)per month
Fitness club membership៛62,681 ($15.29)per month
Cinema ticket៛16,416 ($4.00)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre៛1,178,103 ($287)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre៛819,550 ($200)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre៛2,458,650 ($600)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Phnom Penh is ៛1,599,000 ($390) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of ៛2,311,950 ($564) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly ៛3,005,535 ($733) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (៛819,550 ($200)) represents about 35% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh vs Siem ReapPhnom Penh vs BattambangPhnom Penh vs Kampong ChamPhnom Penh vs SisophonPhnom Penh vs Paoy PaetPhnom Penh vs Kampong Trach

Nearby Cities

Ta Khmau

10 km away · Kandal

Svay Pak

10 km away · Phnom Penh

Prey Veng

44 km away · Prey Veng

Chbar Mon

45 km away · Kampong Speu

Kampong Speu

45 km away · Kampong Speu

Takeo

67 km away · Takeo

Kampong Cham

76 km away · Kampong Cham

Kampong Chhnang

81 km away · Kampong Chhnang

Other Major Cities in Cambodia

Siem Reap

Siem Reap · pop. 147,866

៛1,738,400 ($424) / mo

Battambang

Battambang · pop. 130,000

៛1,738,400 ($424) / mo

Kampong Cham

Kampong Cham · pop. 118,242

៛1,738,400 ($424) / mo

Sisophon

Banteay Meanchey · pop. 99,019

៛1,738,400 ($424) / mo

Paoy Paet

Banteay Meanchey · pop. 98,934

៛1,738,400 ($424) / mo

Kampong Trach

Kampot · pop. 83,061

៛1,738,400 ($424) / mo

Sihanoukville

Preah Sihanouk · pop. 71,082

៛1,738,400 ($424) / mo

Samraong

Oddar Meanchey · pop. 70,944

៛1,738,400 ($424) / mo

Living in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is the capital and one of the key cities in Cambodia. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is ៛2,311,950 ($564), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around ៛819,550 ($200) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to ៛5,464,344 ($1,333) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately ៛4,173,271 ($1,018) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Phnom Penh is ៛1,599,000 ($390). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least ៛3,005,535 ($733) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phnom Penh expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated ៛2,311,950 ($564) per month in Phnom Penh including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for Cambodia.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Phnom Penh?
A net salary of around ៛3,005,535 ($733) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Phnom Penh with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Phnom Penh is ៛1,599,000 ($390).
How much is rent in Phnom Penh?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated ៛1,178,103 ($287) per month in the city centre and ៛819,550 ($200) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about ៛2,458,650 ($600).
Is Phnom Penh cheaper than Cambodia on average?
No — Phnom Penh is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the Cambodia average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Phnom Penh?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at ៛507,416 ($124) in Phnom Penh. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about ៛22,386 ($5) and a cappuccino runs around ៛6,716 ($2).
How do transport costs in Phnom Penh compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Phnom Penh is estimated at ៛82,082 ($20). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Phnom Penh are estimates based on Cambodia national averages adjusted for city size (population 2,129,371) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.