Cost of living in Cambodia, prices and what it is like to live for an Expat, quality of life / hardship, and compare cost of living for Expatriates as at July 2023.

What is it like to live in Cambodia?

Climate: The climate is tropical with a rainy monsoon season (May to November) and a dry season (December to April) with little seasonal temperature variation.

Language: The official language is Khmer. French is spoken by the older generation who survived the Khmer Rouge era. Many middle-class young people in the main urban areas speak English. Chinese and Thai are also used, though given current tensions the latter language should be used with care.

Religion: Buddhism.

Economy: The economy of Cambodia has seen rapid progress in the last decade. Per capita income, although rapidly increasing, is low compared with most neighbouring countries. The main domestic activity on which most rural households depend is agriculture and its related sub-sectors. Manufacturing output is varied but is not very extensive and is mostly conducted on a small-scale and informal basis.

Inflation: 0.1% for Cambodia as at June 2023.

Money: The currency of Cambodia is the Cambodian Riel (KHR). US dollars are widely accepted. Not all banks accept international cards. Credit cards are not generally accepted other than at a few hotels and businesses in larger cities.

Tax: In Cambodia is based on the current monthly salary tax rates which are progressive up to 20%. Fringe benefits are taxable at the flat rate of 20% of the amount paid.

Population: 16.7 Million (2022 est.)

Expat Life: Cambodia is influenced by Buddhism. Expatriate dress code is generally conservative, comprising light-weight business suits when meeting senior government officials, diplomats or business people, otherwise shirt and tie in the working environment. Generally it is advisable to dress modestly and to observe and respect local clothing customs. The safety risk for expatriates in Cambodia is medium, with northern Cambodia carrying a slightly higher risk. Risks include petty theft and opportunistic crime, as well as the threat and use of violence against tourists, business visitors and expatriates.

Health Care: Private health care facilities in Phnom Penh are generally better equipped than public facilities, but can be expensive. There have been cases of Bird Flu in poultry and a small number of human infections. There have been cases of hand, foot and mouth disease resulting in a number of deaths among children.

Cambodia covers all areas within the country other than Phnom Penh.

Cost Of Living

What is the cost of living in Cambodia?

The cost of living for expatriates in Cambodia as at July 2023 is low in comparison to other places in the world, with an overall Cost of Living Index (COLI), for all 13 basket groups, of 55.34 (New York =100). We have collected prices for the same items, world wide, based on Expat spending norms, in or closest to the location, and converted them to $USD so that we can compare the cost of 13 different baskets in 780 global locations. For each basket, compared to New York, the equivalent cost in Cambodia is as follows:

1) Alcohol and/or Tobacco: Cost is low for items such as beer, spirits, wine and tobacco related products such as cigarettes. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$570. Average price in a store for a midrange bottle of wine is USD$15.60, domestic/local beer (500ml) USD$1.30, imported/international beer (330ml) USD$2.26 and a pack of 20 cigarettes is USD$2.18.

2) Clothing: Cost is low for items such as business, casual and children's clothing and footwear. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$610. Average price for an international brand of mens jeans is USD$22, a quality international brand of running shoes USD$83, mens leather shoes suitable for office wear USD$43 while a medium size international summer dress from a global chain store is USD$18.

3) Communication: Cost is very low for various communication costs such as home telephone rental, internet subscription, mobile service provider tariff and data costs. A basket costing USD$200 in New York costs USD$88. Average price for a monthly standard plan internet subscription is USD$33, while the benchmark mobile tariff is USD$6.00 per minute.

4) Education: Cost is average for items such as creche / pre-school fees, primary school fees, high school fees and tertiary study fees. A basket costing USD$30,000 in New York costs USD$19800. Average annual private international school fee (excluding extras) USD$12,826 for Primary School, and USD$14,272 for High School.

5) Furniture & Appliances: Cost is low for items such as dining table and chairs, home entertainment, kitchen appliances, and sofas. A basket costing USD$2,500 in New York costs USD$1325. Average price for a 6kg front loader Washing Machine is USD$584, and USD$502 for a 46+'' LED UHD TV.

6) Groceries: Cost is average for items such as consumables, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruit & vegetables, general food products, snacks, soft drinks. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$750. Average grocery prices in a major international retail store for 1 kg apples is USD$2.13, 1 kg oranges USD$2.00, 1 head lettuce USD$2.20, 1 kg potatos USD$0.74, 1 kg boneless, skinless, chicken breast USD$2.55, 1 kg cheddar cheese USD$7.45, 1 dozen large eggs USD$2.34, 500g loaf white bread USD$2.07, 1 L full cream milk USD$10.39, and 1.5 L water USD$0.94.

7) Healthcare: Cost is low for general heath care, doctor visits, hospital stays, non-prescription medicine, and medical insurance. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$570. Average healthcare cost for a private practice Doctor visit for an uninsured patient is USD$46, and a private hospital stay per day including nursing care, medications, diagnostic tests, food, and related costs is USD$1,421.

8) Household Accommodation: Cost is low for items such as apartment rent, house rent, property purchase, mortgage rate, and utilities. A basket costing USD$5,000 in New York costs USD$1650. Average expatriate house / apartment rent for a secure upmarket unfurnished apartment (3 bedrooms) is USD$2,401 in a central location, and USD$1,317 in a suburban location, per month, excluding utilities.

9) Miscellaneous: Cost is low for items such as dry cleaning, linen, magazines, newspapers, office supplies, and postage stamps. A basket costing USD$500 in New York costs USD$250. Average price for dry cleaning (1 mens 2 pc suit) is USD$4.91, while an international newspaper is USD$1.51.

10) Personal Care: Cost is average for items such as cosmetics, hair care, and toiletries. A basket costing USD$500 in New York costs USD$295. Average cost for a mens haircut and blow dry is USD$24, while a womens hair colour, cut and blow dry - medium length is USD$119.

11) Recreation & Culture: Cost is average for items such as books, cinema, sport and theatre tickets. A basket costing USD$500 in New York costs USD$285. Average price for a latest release international cinema ticket (average of on and off peak where applicable) for one adult is USD$6.50, and an international fitness, recreation or sports club membership cost for one adult is USD$67 per month.

12) Restaurants Meals Out and Hotels: Cost is low for items such as hotel daily room rates, meals and beverages in a restaurant, and take away food and beverages. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$440. Average cappuccino price (regular, medium) is USD$3.46, coke/pepsi (330ml) USD$1.24, burger meal (international franchise or similar) USD$7.80, and a mid-range international restaurant meal for 2 USD$39.00.

13) Transport: Cost is average for items such as fuel (petrol/gasoline), car hire, public transport, vehicle purchase and maintenance. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$720. Average average price over the last year for highest available octane petrol / gasoline (1L) is USD$4.44, while the benchmark car sedan purchase price including taxes/duties for a compact / small / economy vehicle (1.4 L) is USD$46,500.

How does the cost of living in Cambodia compare?

Cambodia is -6% cheaper than USA for groceries, -43.4% cheaper for household costs than UK, and 40.5% more expensive for transport costs than India.

What is the quality of life / hardship in Cambodia?

Cambodia is ranked as a high degree of hardship location.The hardship premium for Cambodia for an expat from Australia, is for example 20%, i.e. host location (Cambodia) premium of 30% minus home (Australia) location premium of 10%.

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