Phnom Penh

Cost of Living in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is one of Southeast Asia's more affordable capitals, though prices have climbed since 2020. The US dollar is the de-facto currency alongside the Cambodian riel (KHR); nearly everything is quoted in USD.

• Rent, central (BKK1, Tonle Bassac): $500-900/month for a modern studio or one-bedroom with AC and reliable building WiFi
• Rent, cheaper areas (Tuol Tompoung, Toul Kork): $300-500/month for comparable space with a local landlord
• Groceries: $150-250/month shopping at local markets and the occasional expat supermarket (Lucky Supermarket, Aeon)
• Eating out: Local Khmer or street food runs $1.50-4 per meal; a sit-down restaurant in BKK1 costs $8-20
• Coworking hot-desk: $5-10/day, or $60-120/month on a monthly plan
• Local transport (Grab/PassApp): $30-60/month for daily ride-hailing around town
• Total realistic range: $800-1,400/month covers a comfortable nomad lifestyle; budget travelers can manage $600-800 with discipline

Utilities (electricity, water) in older apartments can add $50-100/month because of high AC usage in the heat. Many modern serviced apartments include utilities in the rent, which simplifies budgeting.

Where to Work

Phnom Penh has a small but solid coworking scene concentrated in the BKK1 and Tuol Tompoung areas.

Dedicated Coworking

Factory Phnom Penh (National Road 2) is the most established spot, with industrial design, reliable fiber internet, and a creative community. Sahaka Coworking (Street 484) draws freelancers and startup founders with its natural-light interior and morning hours. The Desk (Norodom Boulevard) offers a quieter, more corporate feel at reasonable daily rates.

Cafe Work Culture

Working from cafes is widely accepted. Java Creative Cafe (multiple locations including Toul Tom Poung) is a long-running institution with reliable WiFi and space for laptop workers. Most mid-range cafes in BKK1 tolerate laptop work during off-peak hours, though some enforce a minimum spend.

The Real WiFi Situation

Fixed-line internet in Cambodia is genuinely fast in modern apartments and dedicated coworking spaces, regularly hitting 50-200 Mbps. The problem is inconsistency: older buildings get spotty connections, and power outages (brief but not rare) can disrupt your session. A local SIM with a data plan costs $10-20/month and makes a reliable backup. Metfone, Smart, and Cellcard all have reasonable 4G coverage in central Phnom Penh.

Getting Around

Phnom Penh is not a walking city. Distances between neighborhoods are manageable but the heat, traffic, and lack of pavements in many streets push most people toward transport for anything beyond a couple of blocks.

Day-to-Day Transport

Grab and PassApp are the standard ride-hailing apps. Both work reliably in central areas and are cheaper than flagging down a standalone tuk-tuk. Tuk-tuks are still widely available for short trips; negotiate the price upfront. Renting a motorbike ($80-120/month) is popular among longer-term residents but comes with real traffic risks. The city has no metro or BRT.

Getting to and from the Airport

Cambodia opened Techo International Airport (KTI) in September 2025, replacing the older Phnom Penh International Airport. Techo sits further from the city center: expect a 45-60 minute ride in normal traffic. Grab and PassApp operate at the airport with fares roughly $10-20 to BKK1. Book via app rather than accepting unmetered taxis at the terminal.

Visas and Staying Long-Term

Most Western passport holders (US, EU, UK, Australian, Canadian) can enter Cambodia visa-free for 30 days under the ASEAN/reciprocity arrangements, or purchase an e-visa at evisa.gov.kh for $30 ahead of arrival.

Extensions

A tourist (Type T) visa can be extended once for an additional 30 days at a cost of around $45. For longer stays, the smarter route is the Ordinary (Type E) visa on entry ($35), which can then be extended for 6 or 12 months as an EB (business/freelancer) extension, typically costing $200-300. Local visa agents in Phnom Penh handle the paperwork for a small fee.

No Dedicated Nomad Visa

Cambodia does not offer a formal digital nomad visa as of mid-2026. The 12-month EB extension is the closest practical equivalent for remote workers. Always confirm current rules through the official Cambodia e-visa portal or your country's embassy before travel.

Best Time to Visit

Cambodia has two seasons, and timing your stay matters for day-to-day comfort.

Cool Dry Season: November to February

This is the sweet spot. Temperatures sit around 24-30 degrees Celsius, humidity drops noticeably, and you get reliable sunny days. This window is ideal for remote work because you spend less energy on battling the heat and can get outdoors in the evenings without being soaked.

Hot Season: March to May

Temperatures can reach 38-40 degrees Celsius. Workable if you stay in AC all day, but uncomfortable. Power demand peaks and brief outages become more common.

Wet Season: June to October

Daily afternoon downpours are the norm, typically lasting under an hour. Streets flood quickly. September and October see the heaviest rain. It is manageable for work purposes since mornings are usually clear, and prices for accommodation drop. The bigger annoyance is that some roads turn to mud and traffic gets worse.

Pros and Cons

• Pro: Very low cost of living by Southeast Asian capital standards
• Pro: Visa flexibility, easy to extend stays without border runs in most cases
• Pro: Established expat and nomad community, English widely spoken in service industries
• Pro: Diverse food scene from $2 street stalls to excellent international restaurants
• Pro: USD economy means no currency conversion friction for most nomads
• Pro: Close proximity to Siem Reap, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City for weekend escapes

• Con: Air quality and traffic pollution are serious; motorbike exhaust is constant in busy areas
• Con: No dedicated digital nomad visa; bureaucratic visa process for stays beyond 60 days
• Con: Heat and humidity nine months of the year make outdoor time unpleasant midday
• Con: Bag-snatching from motorbikes is a genuine risk, particularly at night
• Con: Coworking scene is smaller and less varied than Bangkok, Bali, or Chiang Mai
• Con: Power and internet reliability still lags modern capitals on occasion

Who Phnom Penh Is Best For

Phnom Penh suits nomads who want a low-cost Southeast Asian base without paying Bali or Bangkok prices. If you are budget-conscious, comfortable with a rawer urban environment, and interested in Cambodian history and culture, you will find the city genuinely rewarding. It also works well for people already in the region who want a cheaper month between pricier destinations.

It is a strong fit for solo nomads who prefer a real city with an active expat social scene over a resort town. The food and nightlife options in BKK1 and Bassac Lane are surprisingly good for the price point.

Skip Phnom Penh if you need top-tier coworking infrastructure with lots of choice, cannot handle heat and air pollution, or want a well-organized public transport system. It also demands a certain tolerance for unpredictability that not every remote worker wants in their daily routine.