Skyline of Phnom Penh
Cost of Living: 100 2,200,000

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Phnom Penh is a major city in Cambodia with a population of 2,200,000.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 100

Below Average vs Cambodia Avg (100)

Housing Index 120

Above Average

Median Income ៛ 8,000,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Phnom Penh vs Cambodia Average

Cost of Living
Phnom Penh: 100
Cambodia Avg: 100
Housing Index
Phnom Penh: 120
Cambodia Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 10.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: ៛ 8,000,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 2,200,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 250/year
  • Summer High: 92°F
  • Winter Low: 75°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 8a

Housing

  • Median Home: ៛200,000
  • 1BR Rent: ៛500/mo

Cost of Living

Phnom Penh's cost of living index is 100 (Cambodia average = 100).

CategoryPhnom PenhNational AverageDifference
Overall1001000.0%
Housing120100+20.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price៛200,000
Median Rent (1BR)៛500/mo
Median Rent (2BR)៛625/mo
Price per Sq Ft៛133

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

%
$90,000 down
%
%

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Phnom Penh:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity៛80000
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)៛109Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water៛20000Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)៛50000Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities៛150109Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Phnom Penh scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
100
Rent
៛500
Sunny Days
250
Tax
None
Unemployment
5.0%
Climate
92°F / 75°F
Safety
2.0 homicides/100k
Population
2,200,000
Internet Speed
30 Mbps

Climate

Phnom Penh has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January95°F75°F2.5"
April77°F90°F2.8"
July92°F67°F1.5"
October72°F93°F2.2"
USDA Zone 8a

Warm — citrus, avocados, tomatoes, peppers

Natural Hazards

Phnom Penh faces the following natural hazards:

Flood High Risk

Mekong River flooding.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme tropical heat.

Typhoon High Risk

Significant typhoon risk.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 10%
  • Property Tax: ~0.1% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.0%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Academic Year October to August
Term System Semester — 1st (Oct-Feb), 2nd (Mar-Aug)
Summer Break August to October (8 weeks)
Winter Break Khmer New Year in April (2 weeks)
Spring Break Pchum Ben in September/October (1 week)

Many schools operate double shifts due to teacher shortages.

Universities & Higher Education

2
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Phnom Penh, Cambodia?

The cost of living index in Phnom Penh is 100, which is Lower the Cambodia national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Phnom Penh?

The median home price in Phnom Penh is ៛200,000. The housing index is 120.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Phnom Penh is approximately ៛500/mo.

Does Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh have income tax?

Phnom Penh is in Phnom Penh, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Phnom Penh?

Phnom Penh enjoys approximately 250 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 92°F, while winter lows can drop to around 75°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.