Cost of Living in Cambodia: Updated Prices, Comparison with Other Cities

Cambodia is a fantastic country in Southeast Asia, spread across the low-lying plains of the Mekong Delta, the coastline of the Gulf of Thailand, and the mountains. is a popular destination for both tourists and students. With a relatively low cost of living compared to many Western countries, Cambodia offers an attractive lifestyle for those looking to live or study abroad. If you’re planning to move here for higher studies, it’s important to understand the cost of living in Cambodia.

People bear the cheapest cost of living in Cambodia because it takes the most affordable cost for studying, working and retiring. In this blog, we will explore how affordable it is to live in Cambodia and how convenient the lifestyle can be. We’ll cover essential costs to consider when calculating the average cost of living in Cambodia and provide tips on managing these expenses effectively. So, let’s dive right into our discussion without any further delay.

Cost of Living in Cambodia: Overview

The average cost of living in Cambodia for a person is around KHR 2,436,981, excluding the rent. In addition, the average cost of rent in Cambodia is approximately KHR 1,626,136 per month around the city centre. With this amount, you can live in a fully furnished apartment with a bathroom with hot water, all the kitchen equipment, a television set, a refrigerator, a washing machine, and an air conditioner on site.

For students considering moving to Cambodia, it’s important to understand the various expenses that contribute to the cost of living in Cambodia. These include housing rent, food, groceries, utilities, transportation, and entertainment. Below is an overview of the average costs across these categories for those planning to relocate to Cambodia:

Also Read: Cost of Living in Vietnam: A Guide on Expected Expenses for International Students

Cost of Transportation in Cambodia

The cost of transportation in Cambodia is cheap. Moreover, the transport industry of Cambodia offers tourists several options, like buses bike, and taxis. A solo rider can hop on a scooter, and a tourist seeking novelty can ride a tuk-tuk. A one-way bus ticket can cost around KHR 6,665 from one city to another. Taxi fares can be around KHR 4,101 per km.

These fares make the cost of living in Cambodia a little bit easier and more accessible for visitors. For your reference, the costs of transportation in Cambodia are shown in the table given below:

Mode of Transportation	Approx. Cost of Transportation
One-way Ticket (Bus)	KHR 6,665
Monthly Pass (Bus)	KHR 43,478
Taxi Start (for 1km)	KHR 4,101
Taxi 1 hour Waiting	KHR 17,432
Gasoline  per liter	KHR 4,799

Cost of Grocery in Cambodia

The cost of groceries in Cambodia is very affordable. It also depends on the lifestyle and type of food a person is having. 1-2 people in Cambodia would cost roughly KHR 819922 per week on groceries. However, the Cost of food to live in Cambodia is around KHR 1140279 for a month from any neighbouring resturant.

The grocery costs here can impact the cost of living in Cambodia as it is a part of daily expenses. Cooking at your own place is a good idea, as eating out can be expensive for students. In the following table, we have provided an overview of average grocery expenses in Cambodia so that a student can get an idea of ​​how much it costs to prepare meals at home:

Grocery Name	Approx. Grocery Cost
Milk (regular), (1 liter)	KHR 8772.04
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	KHR 7402.62
Rice (white), (1kg)	KHR 3860.45
Eggs (regular) (12)	KHR 7863.42
Local Cheese (1kg)	KHR 52297.04
Apples (1kg)	KHR 15343.03
Banana (1kg)	KHR 5778.61
Oranges (1kg)	KHR 14732.04
Tomato (1kg)	KHR 5888.91
Potato (1kg)	KHR 5665.51
Onion (1kg)	KHR 4631.54
Lettuce (1 head)	KHR 6870.4

Costs of Accommodation in Cambodia

When calculating the cost of living in Cambodia, accommodation is undoubtedly a crucial factor. The expenses for housing vary based on location, size, and type of residence you choose. Typically, a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre of Cambodia can have approx cost approximately KHR 1,626,136. 

It’s important to thoroughly research and compare different accommodation options to find one that suits your needs and budget. For your convenience, we’ve gathered data on the average cost of housing for various apartments both within and outside the city centre of Cambodia.

Apartment	Location	Approx. Monthly Cost
Apartment of One-bedroom	in the City Centre	KHR 1,626,136
Apartment of Three-bedroom	in the City Centre	KHR 3,511,079
Apartment of One-bedroom	Outside of Centre	KHR 952,863
Apartment of Three-bedroom	Outside of Centre	KHR 1,933,672

Cost of a Utility in Cambodia 

The monthly utility cost for a one-bedroom apartment in Cambodia typically amounts to around KHR 373,576. This expense can vary depending on usage and the size of the apartment. When planning your monthly budget in Cambodia, it is crucial to account for utility expenses as they form a significant part of the living expenses in Cambodia. Below is a table providing an overview of the average utility bills in Cambodia:

Utility Type	Utility Name	Approx. Cost
Basic Utility Bills	Water, Electricity, Heating, Cooling, and Garbage	KHR 373,576
Monthly Plan Mobile Phone	including Calls and 10GB+ Data	KHR 24,805
Internet	Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL monthly	KHR 101,094

Miscellaneous Costs in Cambodia

In addition to the primary categories of cost of living in Cambodia, there are several other essential expenses to consider. These include costs for items and activities that you’ll likely need or want after spending some time in Cambodia, such as clothing, entertainment, minor healthcare services, etc. Below is a table detailing some miscellaneous expenses:

Miscellaneous	Approx Cost
Movie Ticket	KHR 24,610
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)	KHR 94,749
Fitness Club	KHR 173,720
Summer Dress	KHR 84,378
Pair of Sports shoes	KHR 372,573
Doctor’s visit	KHR 108639

Also Read: Cost of Living in Thailand: A Guide for International Students

Average Tuition Fees in Cambodia

Apart from the cheaper cost of living in Cambodia, it is also the home of the world’s best universities because it has 45 universities and these universities contain 834 study programs. If we go further and categorise these programs into 442 Bachelor programs, 311 Master programs, and 81 PhD programs.

The table below lists the popular Bachelor programs, Master programs, and PhD programs with their average tuition fees.

Sn.	Programs	Approx. Tuition Fees for Bachelor programs (KHR)	Approx. Tuition Fees for Master programs (KHR)	Approx. Tuition Fees for PhD programs (KHR)
1	Management	KHR 3,938,348	KHR 4,752,663	KHR 2,972,516
2	Economics	KHR 3,755,945	KHR 2,881,130	KHR 2,745,609
3	Business	KHR 5,192,860	KHR 4,363,697	KHR 3,348,316
4	Finance and Banking	KHR 4,850,283	KHR 5,107,421	–
5	Accounting	KHR 4,412,876	KHR 3,279,284	–
6	Education and Teaching	KHR 5,531,333	KHR 2,697,537	KHR 2,790,072
7	Law and Jurisprudence	KHR 4,846,223	KHR 3,125,962	KHR 2,564,149
8	Humanities	KHR 3,824,813	KHR 2,995,035	KHR 1,629,736
9	Computer Science	KHR 5,978,134	KHR 3,496,798	–
10	IT	KHR 6,039,783	KHR 3,198,029	KHR 1,865,503
11	Tourism	KHR 4,826,166	KHR 4,917,101	KHR 3,608,037
12	Sociology	KHR 2,828,751	KHR 2,659,678	KHR 2,377,972
13	Arts	KHR 2,938,882	KHR 2,963,698	KHR 1,107,013
14	Hospitality	KHR 7,183,547	KHR 3,628,505	–
15	Engineering	KHR 3,524,567	KHR 3,193,394	KHR 2,470,261
16	Technology	KHR 2,769,399	KHR 2,961,155	KHR 1,107,013
17	Architecture	KHR 6,115,295	KHR 3,092,533	–
18	Marketing	KHR 3,929,530	KHR 6,868,207	–
19	Agriculture	KHR 3,464,518	KHR 3,298,234	–
20	Philology	KHR 3,671,696	KHR 3,161,155	KHR 1,024,979
21	Administration	KHR 5,791,670	KHR 3,894,337	KHR 3,795,937
22	Mathematics	KHR 2,840,892	KHR 2,801,926	KHR 2,861,811
23	International Relations	KHR 3,718,701	KHR 2,878,218	KHR 3,198,029
24	History	KHR 2,859,227	KHR 2,616,856	KHR 4,018,045
25	Dentistry	–	–	KHR 3,392,738

Cost Of Work Permits and Visas 

Expats need a work permit and a visa to work legally in Cambodia. The cost of work permits for immigrants to live in Cambodia is around KHR 410172.40 to KHR 1230517.20, while the visa cost can range from KHR 123051.72 to KHR 1230517.20, depending on the type and duration of stay. Immigrants need to know this essential factor, which comes under the cost of living in Cambodia when planning their move here.

The following paperwork is required if you are applying for a Cambodian visa: 

• A visa application
• A passport must be valid for at least the next six months
• A passport-sized photograph
• A self-addressed stamped and pre-paid return envelope

You must submit a few other documents for business visa applications, and a small fee will be charged during the visa process. First, when you apply for a business visa, and second, after moving to Cambodia, if you extend the visa to the Ministry of Interior. This can increase the Cost of Living in Cambodia.

Any of the documents can be valid for a business visa, supporting the need for you to apply for a business visa:

• an invitation from Cambodia, 
• a letter from your company
• a letter from your sponsor

Cost of Living in Cambodia Compared to Other Cities/Countries

Cambodia is generally considered a relatively affordable place to live compared to some cities and countries like the US, Australia, and the UK. However, it has a higher cost of living than Thailand, South Africa, Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia. To give you an idea of how the cost of living in Cambodia compares to these cities and countries, we have provided a detailed comparison below. Please have a look:

City/Country	Average Cost of Living	Comparison with Cambodia
Cost of Living in Thailand	KHR 2292631 (excluding rent)	Generally Lower than Cambodia
Cost of Living in South Africa	KHR 2393938 (excluding rent)	Lower than Cambodia
Cost of Living in Philippines	KHR 2198404 (excluding rent)	Lower to Cambodia
Cost of Living in the US	KHR 4782280 (excluding rent)	Much higher than Cambodia
Cost of Living in Australia	KHR 4528662 (excluding rent)	Much higher than Cambodia
Cost of Living in Vietnam	KHR 1903953 (excluding rent)	Lower than Cambodia
Cost of Living in Malaysia	KHR 1980666 (excluding rent)	Lower than Cambodia
Cost of Living in the UK	KHR 4223611 (excluding rent)	Much higher than Cambodia

Things to Know When Moving to Cambodia

Now, you understand the all-important aspects which gave some idea of the cost of living in Cambodia. There are other things about Cambodia that every immigrant must be aware of before moving there. So, here are some points one should know and keep in mind:

Employment Opportunities for Immigrants in Cambodia

Cambodia has become a popular destination for migrant teachers due to the construction of many international schools. Many foreign companies even hire settlers—people who wish to work as writers, digital nomads, marketing professionals, or academic staff must have a high level of English communication. These employment opportunities for immigrants make the cost of living in Cambodia affordable.

Which Currency is used in Cambodia?

The Riel and the USD are the currencies used in Cambodia because businesses accept both currencies here. People of Cambodia and foreigners use USD for expensive transactions and Cambodian Riel(KHR) for small changes. Cambodia’s currency exchange rate is about 4,000 KHR = 1 (United States Dollar) USD. Moreover, ATMs dispense money in USD only unless one chooses the KHR option. Further in this blog, we will use USD to show the cost of living in Cambodia in various categories or sectors.

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Cost of Living in Mexico: A Guide on Expected Expenses	Cost of Living in Batam: A 2024 Guide

FAQs on Cost of Living in Cambodia

So, this was all about the cost of living in Cambodia. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.