Although it’s been rapidly catching up the last few years, Cambodia is one of the world’s cheapest places to live. The country has a reputation for being a backpacker party destination, where the main attractions are bright lights, cheap booze and a string of tropical islands. But the reality is a lot more diverse and less expensive. Away from its party scene, Cambodia is a country with an epic history, stunning beaches, and some of the most affordable and delicious food in the world. The cost of living in Cambodia for expats, however, is higher than the average Cambodian because expats must have a place to live and other expenses associated with foreigners, such as visas and food.
When it comes to rental, the quality and range can be astonishment with the affordable houses, even the rental fee of condos is not going beyond your ability, which means you can afford all those fees. In particular thing, for those who prefer to choose Western-style apartment or Khmer townhouses, flat, the fees are cheaper than the fee of condos. There are two options for expats or other people to choose, whether they want to rent a house, or buy one and become the owner of the house. The rental fees of a house and the price of house is actually different from one another. If you rent a house, you have to pay for the rental fee for every month, and the price depends on what types of house-style that you are going to choose. For condos, it costs you around thousands of dollars for a month, and for flat, it only costs hundreds of dollars per month, and you even have to pay for electricity, utilities by your own. If you buy a house, of course it costs you a lot of money, but it’s a lots easier than living in a rental house.
When it comes to utilities or electricity, they are more affordable, which you only need to pay between $15 to $100 a month. Those prices are included the cable television, your electricity used (including air-conditioner, refrigerator…), water from $2.5 to $100, garbage collection, and so on.
When it comes to foods, everything in Cambodia is cheap and healthy. Vegetables are all organic, which are grown by local people. Dining at a good value are some things that’s typically presupposed, particularly in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and other 23 provinces, where there are many restaurants that you can spot everywhere. There are many types of cuisine including Western-style or Asian-style (including, of course, Khmer) are served from $1 per course upwards.
For mobile data charge, it’s very cheap in Cambodia. You can top up your phone balance from $1 and up. If you top up $1, you can use it for at least 5 to 7 days depends on what network that you are using. For the internet, you can use it from your mobile phone, or install WIFI at home, which is a lots convenience and faster than the internet that use from phone. And it costs you around $30 upwards for a month or 3 months, and of course the price is depended on the network companies.
Even though the cost of living in Cambodia may be one of the lowest in the world, the quality and standard of living remain high. A lot of retirees and expats selecting this country as a place to relax every year.
Below are some of the monthly average budget for expats as well as local people:
- Food & drink cost: $100 to $200
- Rental fee for single bedroom cost: $100
- Rental fee for more than one bedroom cost: $400
- Utilities cost: $100
- Transportation by tuk tuk cost: $38
- Electricity cost: $30 to $100
- Internet cost: $40
- Medical & Health insurance cost: $456 for individual, and $1152 for a family.
- Visa cost: $24
Cost of living in Cambodia | Cambodia Time