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Moving to Cambodia? Wondering what it costs to live in Phnom Penh?
In this article, we delve into what life is like in Cambodia’s capital city, including the real cost of living in Cambodia and details you don’t always hear about.
Other articles you may like:
- 10 Awesome Places to go in Cambodia
- Best Bus Companies in Cambodia
- Unique Accommodation in Cambodia
- How to Extend a Cambodia Visa
- Best International Schools in Phnom Penh
Note: The original version of this article, written by Jen, first appeared on Tim Leffel’s Cheapest Destinations Blog. This is a more recent version, updated in January 2020 with some modifications and additions, including recent changes to getting a visa.
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Phnom Penh is at that sweet spot of development for expat living. An influx of foreign investment in recent years has meant more businesses, amenities, and quality international schools geared toward foreigners.
Gentrification has had its positives and negatives on the cost of living in Cambodia. But there is much to be said for the comforts and ease of life these businesses provide expats.
At the same time, Phnom Penh retains its chaotic pace and Cambodian charm. It’s not hard to get away from foreign influence and experience local living. And, to settle the debate on how to pronounce Phnom Penh, most people prefer to pronounce both Ps. It is not Nom Pen.
All the development means you’ll have the option to shop at organic food stores or pay half the price at local outdoor markets. A typical meal at a Cambodian restaurant costs less than $2. Or you can enjoy an upscale dining experience at a western restaurant for $100+.
Finding a coffee shop in Phnom Penh is easy, Cambodia has a huge coffee culture. A cappuccino at a foreign coffee chain costs $3, while a locally-sourced brew at a Cambodian stall costs less than $0.75. Eating local is an easy way to cut down on the cost of living in Cambodia.
You can rent a luxury, serviced apartment with a pool, gym, 24-hour security guard, and cleaning service for anywhere from $500 to $3,000/month, or live in a comfortable Cambodian style apartment for under $300.
It depends on what you want your cost of living in Cambodia to be and whether you are seeking western creature-comforts or want to experience a more local way of life.
Either way, the city has what you are looking for at prices much less than what you would pay in most developed countries.
Tuk-tuks and motorbikes, called “motos,” are the preferred method of transport for both locals and expats, though more and more luxury SUVs are crowding the roads every day.
Phnom Penh’s recently expanded international airport and numerous bus services make it a great base for travel throughout the region. Southeast Asian countries are all a short plane ride away. Comfortable buses are available for travel throughout Cambodia and to bordering countries.
The expat scene is a thriving community with interesting people, young and old, from around the world. There are always things to do in Phnom Penh. These can include networking events, restaurant openings, athletic tournaments, street fairs, documentary film showings, art galleries, plays, live music, stand-up comedy, and more.
Phnom Penh is a popular city for young expat families as well, with plenty of activities and businesses catering to children.
So let’s get down to the nitty-gritty.
What is the Real Cost of Living in Cambodia?
(All money in USD)
Stevo and I earn less than $35,000 combined annually. We recently moved to a 1-bedroom apartment in a western-style building east of the Russian Market, one of the more popular expat areas.
For us, the cost of living in Cambodia is pretty cheap. We only pay $400 per month in rent (including utilities) plus $50-$80/month for electricity. Our rent includes housekeepers who come twice a week.
Previously we lived in a 3-bedroom Cambodian style apartment for $350 per month on the west side of the Russian Market. There we paid $75-100 for utilities (trash collection, internet, water, electricity) and $40 for a housekeeper who came twice per week.
We eat at restaurants about four to five times per week ($5-15 per meal for two). Cooking a majority of our meals at home with produce bought from a local outdoor market in Phnom Penh and meat from “western-style” grocers helps to keep our cost of living in Cambodia down.
We go to events around the city several nights per week. We both go to a gym in Phnom Penh. Stevo does cross-fit, and I do yoga. If you’re looking for a cinema, Phnom Penh has many to offer. From laidback independent movie houses to one of the few 4DX screens in the world, you’ll definitely be able to get your movie fix.
Because of the cheap cost of living in Cambodia, we can afford to travel around Cambodia about once per month to Kampot, Sihanoukville, Siem Reap, and other provinces in Cambodia.
We have taken trips around the region to Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Laos, and are planning for more international travel.
We live better and feel happier than we did back in our hometown in southern California. Our life in Phnom Penh is simple, fulfilling, and never dull.
Money in Cambodia
Cambodia primarily uses US Dollars and Cambodian Riel. The exchange rate is roughly 4,000 Riel to 1 USD. Most transactions are made in USD with the small change given in Riel. ATMs dispense USD unless otherwise stated, in which case you become an instant thousandaire!
Where to live in Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is divided into districts. A majority of expats live in BKK 1, 2 or 3, Russian Market, or by the Riverside. BKK 1 and 2 tend to be more expensive with restaurants, bars, and shops geared toward expats. BKK 3 (near the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum) and the Russian Market have a good blend of western and local amenities.
The Riverside area tends to be crowded with tourists and can feel seedy due to the lady bars and nightclubs in the area. However, it is close to many restaurants, shops, and attractive tourist sites.
Another area of the city growing in popularity with expats is Tuol Kork, located 20-30 minutes from downtown. Phnom Penh is expanding outward, and the further outside the city center you go, the lower your cost of living in Cambodia is going to be.
Housing Options
There are a variety of housing options in Phnom Penh ranging from upscale apartments with 24-hour security guards, pools and gyms, to basic Cambodian-style apartments in local neighborhoods. There are even old French colonial buildings and wooden countryside-style homes still available in parts of the city.
Western-style homes in gated communities with tree-lined streets and parks are also available. Many more of these housing developments are popping up on the outskirts of the city and near the airport. Housing costs range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per month depending on location, size, and style.
Cost of Housing
Typically, single expats pay anywhere from $150-550 per month depending on if they rent their own place or live in a shared apartment. Check out the Facebook group Phnom Penh Housing to see what housing options are available. If you are looking to rent a room in a shared house, check out the Facebook group Phnom Penh Shared Housing.
Couples and families can expect to pay $250-$1000+ per month depending on what type of amenities they require. Reasonably priced housing is available all over the city and can help cut down on your cost of living in Cambodia.
Utilities
Some apartments include utilities while others charge an additional fee for water, trash pick-up, cable, and internet. One thing to note is that electricity is almost always charged in addition to rent and can be expensive. Landlords charge different rates to unsuspecting tenants, but the standard rate is usually 1000 Riel ($0.25USD)/kilowatt.
To keep our cost of living in Cambodia down, we use a fan during the day and only run our air-conditioner in one room for most of the night. Our electric bill is usually around $65 per month, to give you an idea.
Finding a Place to Live
There are many real estate agencies in the city to help you secure accommodation. You should not have to pay the real estate agent a fee as the landlord will pay them a commission.
We’ve lived in four different apartments in Phnom Penh, and had good experiences each time we moved working with local agents. We met most of the agents through apartment advertisements from the Phnom Penh Housing Facebook group.
Agents usually speak good English. In our experience, the best agents can take you to at least half a dozen different properties in a day based on your criteria. Once you find a place you like, the agent should go through the details of your lease together with you and the landlord or building manager.
Usually, you’ll need to give a one-month security deposit and first month’s rent. These shouldn’t be too much considering the low cost of living in Cambodia. Then all you need to is sign the lease and you’re done!
Real Estate Agents
In 2016 Stevo and I appeared on House Hunters International, an American television program on HGTV about expats findings homes around the world. Our agent from the show is Sophea. You can reach him directly by email at sopheasrun.agent (at) gmail (dot) com or through his real estate agency on Facebook. He was fantastic to work with and found us a great place to live within our budget!
Cambodian People
Cambodians are some of the friendliest people in the world. They are quick to smile and happy to help. Many Cambodians in Phnom Penh speak English, making it easier to make Cambodian friends, and simplifying basic daily tasks like shopping or eating out.
That said, it is worthwhile to learn at least some basic Khmer phrases to enhance your experiences in the country overall.
Safety in Phnom Penh
Unfortunately, petty crime has risen in the past decade in Phnom Penh. It is rare to know someone living in Phnom Penh who hasn’t had something stolen from them. That goes for both foreigners and locals! Most often this is a phone or bag.
Like in the rest of the world, a vast majority of people in Cambodia are kind, decent, hard-working people who shouldn’t be overlooked. It is important however to take proper safety precautions, especially at night. Stevo and I have been robbed/attempted robbed three times between the two of us, a less glamorous cost of living in Cambodia.
A Brief Cambodia History
To understand Cambodia as it is today, it is important to know about it’s recent, tragic past. In the 1940-1960s Cambodia was developing at a similar rate to Thailand and Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, Cambodia’s northeast was heavily bombed. Concurrent internal strife in the country aided in the Khmer Rouge’s rise to power during the 1970s.
Cambodia’s people suffered a mass genocide by the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975-1979, who killed an estimated 1/3 of the total population. People were forced out of Phnom Penh into the countryside and made to work as farmers. Educated people such as teachers, doctors, lawyers, and business owners were killed first.
Hundreds of thousands of others, including women and children, died of starvation. Thousands more were put in prison, tortured, and forced into absurd confessions that they were spies of the KGB or had betrayed the Khmer Rouge in some way. They were brutally murdered and put into mass graves.
Today the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Killing Fields in Phnom Penh are tourist sites aimed to educate visitors about the horrific atrocities committed against the Cambodian people. The Khmer Rouge retained their seat at the United Nations until the early 1990s.
The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) located outside Phnom Penh only started trying Khmer Rouge leaders responsible for the deaths of millions, within the last decade. The trials are currently ongoing and can be viewed by the public.
Cambodia is still recovering from the loss of the majority of its educated population and the subsequent trauma that has been passed down to the next generations.
Working in Cambodia
Depending on their profession, expats in Phnom Penh live on an estimated $12,000 to $60,000 per year. Phnom Penh is a thriving city of opportunity and there are many jobs in Cambodia for foreigners. Expats work and volunteer in a variety of fields in Phnom Penh, from NGOs, education, hospitality and tourism, the medical field, consulting, technology, and business. The low cost of living in Cambodia attracts people from all walks of life.
Some expats come to the city on expat packages, in which case pay and benefits are usually more attractive. Many other people, including Stevo and I, simply show up and look for work. Integrating into the expat scene and learning about opportunities through word of mouth is a good way to find jobs that may not be posted online. If you are looking for an English school in Phnom Penh, check out our article on the best schools in the city.
Bongthom.com, HRinc, and local newspaper job listings are all good online resources to find jobs in the city.
We’ve also written an article on How to Find a Teaching Job in Cambodia.
If you are interested in getting certified to Teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), check out courses through MyTEFL, which let you complete a TEFL course online. We recommend getting a TEFL certificate to put you ahead of the competition when teaching in Asia. Two Can Travel readers get a 35% discount on all MyTEFL courses by entering the code TWOCAN35 at checkout.
Note: Two Can Travel partners with MyTEFL to bring our readers a 35% discount on all TEFL courses. Use the code TWOCAN35 when you check out.
Cambodian Visas (updated November 2021)
Cambodia has some of the laxest visa regulations in the world. Getting an Ordinary (E) Visa is as simple as showing up at an airport or border, ticking a box, and paying a few dollars more than the Tourist Visa price. You can extend an Ordinary (E) Visa to a year-long visa for around $300.
*Starting on September 1st, 2016 Cambodia started offering a 3-YEAR Multiple Entry Visa to foreigners from all countries. The idea was to encourage both tourists, investors, and foreigners who provide training and work in social development to come to Cambodia. They also hoped to meet the country’s goal of welcoming at least 7.5 million foreign tourists by 2020. *This has now ended.
In September 2017, the laws for getting an Ordinary (E) visa extended changed. Foreigners are now only able to extend to a 6-month or 1-year Ordinary (E) visa with proof of a Work Permit. You can read more about this change here.
Things are constantly changing regarding visas, and we will update this section when we receive new information.
Work Permits and Employment Cards (Updated January 2020)
Technically as of 2014, foreigners working in Cambodia are required to have government-issued Work Permits. However, this law only become more regulated as of September 2017. It is up to businesses to apply for Work Permits for their employees, but you can also apply on your own. Here is more detailed info about the process to obtain a Work Permit and Employment Card.
Combined with the inexpensive cost of living in Cambodia and cheap amenities, Phnom Penh is a prime place to work, start a business, or live a comfortable life of leisure with minimal visa hassles compared with other countries in the region. You can also find up-to-date information about Cambodian visas through the Embassy of Cambodia.
Medical Care in Cambodia
In the past, the common medical advice for travelers and expats in Cambodia was “Go to Thailand!” Thankfully medical care facilities in Cambodia have greatly improved. Many ailments can now be treated in Phnom Penh by foreign doctors and foreign-trained Cambodian doctors.
If you’re looking for a dentist, Phnom Penh has quite a few to offer. But in our experience, the best dental clinic in Phnom Penh is Roomchang Dental Hospital. We have been there several times and have always enjoyed good and professional service.
That said, certain medical procedures or tests may be unavailable or expensive in Cambodia. It may be necessary to seek medical care out of the country, namely in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, or the Philippines.
Even traveling out of Cambodia for medical care is generally cheaper than being treated in the USA. Many expectant mothers choose Bangkok for prenatal care and delivery.
Food Shopping
There is a wide variety of choices when shopping at markets in Phnom Penh. There are a lot of new malls in Phnom Penh but the best place for shopping is still the open-air local markets, big and small, scattered throughout the city. We do all of our produce shopping at these.
Shopping at the local markets helps keep the cost of living in Cambodia down and is always an adventure. Having sellers we regularly go to is a nice way to feel integrated into our neighborhood and practice our Khmer.
A large selection of fruits and vegetables are available at the local markets. Of course, produce that is in season is cheaper, but prices are quite reasonable any time of year. For example, in season mangos are 4000 Riel ($1)/kilogram and avocados are 8000 Riel ($2)/kilogram. (Yes, they have avocados here! Be still, my Californian heart.)
Imported fruits like apples and oranges are available at a price. I was once gifted four apples by a student’s parents that were bought at Aeon Mall, the largest modern mall in Cambodia. They left the price tags on, and each apple had cost $2.90! At the local market, apples will cost much less.
We occasionally buy eggs at the outdoor markets too but are skeptical of the meat that sits outside in the heat for hours on end. Instead, we buy meat from air-conditioned markets geared toward foreign customers. There are stores catering to western customers throughout the city, especially in BKK 1 and 2, near the Russian Market and at the Riverside.
The French influence in Cambodia lingers in the baguettes, croissants, and other fine baked goods at countless bakeries around town. Stevo and I find that we never crave anything from back in the States as we can get just about everything we want here.
You can find fancy meats and cheeses, name-brand peanut butter and chocolate, breakfast cereal, good wine, you name it, it’s likely you’ll find it. A nice baguette or chocolate croissant costs $1-2. We can even satisfy our In-N-Out cravings at Mike’s Burger House! Mike and his staff are fantastic people. Definitely stop in at some point, and tell them we sent you! 🙂
Drinking in Cambodia
Hard alcohol and spirits are surprisingly cheap in Cambodia. The nightlife in Phnom Penh is never boring. A 750ml bottle of Absolut Vodka goes for $10, Blue Sapphire for $12, and very few bottles cost more than $20. There are a few wine shops in town selling imported wine from around the world as well as craft beers.
The wines are about the prices you’d expect to pay at home or a bit higher. Drinking at restaurants is inexpensive. Cocktails, even at nicer restaurants and bars, are $2-8 and are often 1/2 price during happy hour. If you’re looking for a club in Phnom Penh, the Riverside area is teeming with them. Just follow the pounding music.
Local beers range from $0.75-$1.50 at most restaurants. A can of beer from a local shop is $0.50.
There are a couple of local breweries in town and a rum distillery, Samai, which is open for tastings once per week. One of our favorite breweries is Riel Beer, started by a trio of expats.
They use Cambodia-sourced flavors in their brews like lemongrass, coconut, and coffee. Their beers are delicious, affordable, and much stronger than most locally produced beers.
Transportation Costs
Getting around Phnom Penh is relatively cheap and easy, and there are many ways to do it. The main method of transport for expats and locals are tuk-tuks, carriages pulled by motorbikes. A ride across town should cost no more than $5, and a typical trip in the city will cost about $2-3.
In 2017 Grab, a service similar to Uber came to Cambodia. Download the app to get Grab cars, motorbikes, and rickshaws. Another similar service is PassApp, which you can also download to your phone.
We used both quite often because we liked not having to haggle over the price with a driver. It gets exhausting after a while!
Motorbikes are a great option for keeping your cost of living in Cambodia down and are always a thrilling experience. Unlike in Bangkok where the motorbike drivers wear fluorescent vests, Cambodia’s moto drivers are just regular guys who own motorbikes.
They often hang out in groups on corners or keep their eyes peeled for people who look like they need a ride, slowing down to check as they ride past. They don’t usually provide helmets for passengers, or even themselves. Yes, it’s dangerous, and don’t tell your mom, but man is it fun!
Taxis are also available in the city, mainly coming from the airport. You will need to book ahead or get extremely lucky to flag one down in the city. There are public buses as of 2015, but for now, there are few routes, and the schedule is unreliable.
Check out this video Jen took on her motorbike ride to work. While you’re at it, Subscribe to our Youtube channel! 🙂
Getting out of Phnom Penh
Flights
The Phnom Penh International Airport has undergone major renovations over the past several years and would be unrecognizable to anyone who remembers it from before.
Cambodia’s first Starbucks opened inside the departures terminal in 2015. The airport’s expansion means more international flights to and from the city. There are non-stop flights to countries throughout Asia every day.
There are flights from Phnom Penh to Bangkok, Thailand, and flights from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for under $100.
Air Asia is the largest budget airline in the region. A flight from Phnom Penh to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where Air Asia’s hub is, costs about $50.
To find the best prices, try to book flights at least a month in advance if possible. Sometimes you can get lucky with cheap last-minute fares.
See our Top 10 Tips for Booking Cheap Flights.
Buses
Many bus companies have routes around Cambodia and to bordering countries.
The buses and roads in Cambodia are much better now than they were even just a few years ago, making bus travel a lot easier than it used to be. There are many great bus companies in Cambodia to choose from, but there are a lot of terrible bus companies too.
Giant Ibis is one of our favorites. They have quality air-conditioned buses and mini-buses going to most parts of the country.
We usually book bus tickets with CamboTicket, Cambodia’s first online bus booking service, that works with dozens of transportation companies around the country. They also offer experiences in Cambodia like tours, performances, and more.
We have also used 12Go.Asia to book transportation in Cambodia. 12GoAsia is one of the largest transportation booking sites in Asia for booking buses, private cars, ferries, and flights.
Follow Two Can Travel’s Facebook page where we share discounts from CamboTicket and 12Go.Asia.
Private Taxis
Private taxis are also available to hire anywhere you want to go for a reasonable price. You can book private taxis in Cambodia through both CamboTicket and 12GoAsia.
Surprisingly hiring a taxi in Cambodia isn’t much more expensive than booking a bus if you have 3-4 people sharing the cost of the taxi. If you have fewer than 3 people traveling then check out the Facebook group Taxi Share Cambodia to find open seats in shared private cars.
Should you move to Cambodia?
Phnom Penh is one of the best values for money in Southeast Asia. The cost of living in Cambodia has never been better. It is a city primed for opportunity and will best be enjoyed by those with an adventurous spirit and open mind looking to immerse themselves in a new culture, while still enjoying many comforts of the western world.
I don’t know anything about Cambodia. I have never read about Cambodia so this post proves informative for me. I would like to ask a question, Cambodia would be the best place to travel with friends or family?
We’re glad it was helpful. Cambodia would be great to travel to with friends or family!
I have live now 6 years in Cambodia, first 4years in Phnom Penh ( new 100m2+60m2 balcony in up) home, rent 150$/month. But that was empty ).
Now live in Siem Reap, 96m2 new home. Fully furnished without tv and refrigator.
290$/month+electrisity, + 60$ wifi for one year.
Little bit smaller home in that same building cost 150$/month.
Fully furnished.
I have now (suprise ) khmer wife and two kids.
About 1200$/month is enough.
If live alone, about 800$ is ok.
I like to make food myself, chicken breast in 2.5$/kg
Thank you for sharing your personal experience! It is very helpful for people looking to move to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap to know what is possible. Cheers, Jen
Hey.
For a quick search it was too much information, but no no, thank you, it is good with all info and pick and choose.
However, it did not get clear to me what you need to live comfortably in Phnom Penh. I saw mentioned expats earning from 12000-60000 per year (1000-5000 dollar per month?), so is the conclusion to say that living in phnom penh you need from 1000 dollar per month as a minimum (but still living ok/well) and upwards? One can have an ok time with 1000 dollar per month if one gets one of the lower price apartments (350-400 dollars)?
Thank you
Hi Trey, thanks for your questions. ‘Comfortable’ is definitely a relative term, but I would say that one person can live quite comfortably on $1000 a month.
Very interesting and informative. I do have some questions that I would like to ask you but not in an open venue. Ho do we go about that ? I am seriously looking at moving to PP.. towards the end of August 2020.
Hopng to hear from soon,
Cheers,
Erik
Hi Erik, I have received your email and replied there. Thanks for reaching out!
A really good up-to-date article, unlike some others that consistently spring up on page 1 of Google. Well done.
I tried looking for errors but couldn’t find any. Your prices are still correct even as we approach 2020.
If any of your readers are interested in tutoring privately in Phnom Penh then please contact us https://www.learningenglish-cambodia.com/teaching-jobs-in-phnom-penh.php
We always have clients that are looking for native English tutors and teachers.
Hey Mark, thanks so much for your comment.
Hi! Can you share some of your favorite local restaurants? Also, from where is the 4,5 dollar meal pic taken? Looks delicious!
Hi Denise, yes absolutely, and thanks for your comment! I really do need to put an article up about our favorite places to eat in PP 🙂 We have so many favorites! A few for local food are Eleven One Kitchen, Frizz, Mok Mony, Romdeng, and Friends. The $4.50 meal was at a local streetside restaurant across the street from Backyard Cafe.
There is so much variety for food in Phnom Penh. Some of our other favorite restaurants are Irawaddi (Burmese food), Sesame Noodle Bar (Japanese), Flavors of India, Trattoria Bello (Italian), and Khema (French/Khmer/western) for brunch.
Is it possible for foreigners to purchase an apartment/house in PP instead of renting? If yes, how’s the real estate market? Thx.
Hi Evaristo, yes it is. Foreigners cannot purchase property on the ground floor but can purchase an apartment on the first floor or above. I recommend you contact IPS-Cambodia, a real estate agency in Phnom Penh, to ask them more details.
This is truly inspiring. I’m Cambodian American living in Southern California (still expensive by the way) and I plan on visiting the kingdom for the first time next year. I’ve discovered that I am eligible to become a citizen of the kingdom and hold dual citizenship. Do you know how or where I can obtain more information on this matter? Much help would be greatly appreciated. You can contact me directly via email.
Hi Anthony, that’s great that you will visit Cambodia soon! I think your best bet is to visit the Cambodian Consulate in Long Beach, California and ask them questions about dual citizenship there. You will probably need to make an appointment before you visit on their website. Best of luck to you!
Is there an official government required amount of American Social Security Income to live permanently in Cambodia, for some reason the answer for this question in certain countries is not published, if it is published, it surely has a good hiding spot.
Thanking you in advance for your time ⌚ and help with this elusive answer.
Hi DC, unfortuntaely we do not know the answer to your question either. I do believe there is a minimum income requirement in order to obtain a Cambodia Retirement Visa, however the rules have changed recently and I am not 100% what that amount is now. I recommend that you reach out to a travel agency in Cambodia to ask them or reach out to the Cambodian Immigration Department to get the answer from the soure. Best of luck to you.
Thank You for the great information. May I summarize to be sure I understand?. To Teach English as a second language I just need to be A Native speaker (American) a Bachelors degree (or some opportunities without) and have a TEFL course and a local police background check? Dont need documents notarized and authenticated or a physical exam like in China and some other counties? And are they age prejudice? Im 56 and male but would prefer to teach older kids anyway. Thanks Again
Hi Ben, yes you are correct that most schools prefer native English speakers with Bachelor’s Degrees. A TEFL is definitely a plus and will give you an edge when you apply. It depends on the school, but most require a police background check. It is best to get one while you are in your home country just in case you need it. As for the physical exam, when you get your work permit you may be required to go to the Ministry of Labor in Phnom Penh where they do a quick finger prick blood sample and very simple exam (weight, height, etc.). Our schools handled our work permits for us and we somehow got to avoid the physical altogether. As for prejudice, it depends on what you mean. There is definitely some racism in Cambodia, not at every school, but it does happen. Best of luck to you with your move!
Wow what an informative article! I really appreciate all of the background info on Cambodia both past and present, it makes me want to move there even more!
Currently, I have an associates degree and heard that if you have that and a TEFL certificate that you can easily land a job in Cambodia compared to other countries, do you find that to be true? If so, is there a TEFL program that you would recommend? I came across what seems like a decent list of suggestions but could really use some help in narrowing it down:
https://www.bestcollegereviews.org/top/online-tefl-certificate-programs/
Your feedback would be so appreciated! Please take a moment if possible to read and respond because I am absolutely clueless as to what schools in Cambodia are looking for.
Thank you in advance, you two now have a new fan, this is such an awesome blog!
Hi KK, thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! When we moved to Phnom Penh in 2015 we were able to land teaching jobs within 1-2 months. I think it depends a lot on timing, what type of school you want to work for, and of course your experience. Having a TEFL will definitely help. We did a TEFL course in California back in 2011 that was an in-person training, but nowadays there are lots of great TEFL programs online, and they are so much cheaper than in-person courses. Just make sure you do one that is at least 120-hours as that is the minimum requirement most schools prefer. The company we recommend is MyTEFL. You can get 35% off your course with MyTEFL using our code: TWOCAN35 at checkout. Best of luck to you with your move!
I am on disability in the USA. I plan on using my monthly check to move to Cambodia, or another place equally affordable. I take a lot of medications every day. They’re critical. How hard would it be for me to get my medication in Cambodia? Will I have to convince a doctor there that they’re necessary? I’m also concerned about the cost of the meds too. Any guidance? Thank you.
PS is the capital near beaches? I love the ocean. Thank you
Hi Johnny, it depends on what medications you need. Most medicine is available over the counter in Cambodia. You can reach out to hospitals in Cambodia to ask if the medications you need are available in the country. Phnom Penh is about 3 hours from the nearest beach, which is in Kep, a very cute and interesting beachside town. You can read more about it here: https://twocantravel.com/kep-cambodia-itinerary/. We don’t recommend the beaches in Sihanoukville anymore, sadly, but the islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem are gorgeous. You can reach them in about 8 hours from Phnom Penh.
This is one of the most informative articles on living in Cambodia I have encountered. Thank you for such a thoughtful and thorough piece.
Thanks so much, Tim! Really glad you found it useful 🙂
Thank you very much for the information, I’m Engr Andrew and i intend travelling Cambodian, I’m from Nigeria, I would like to know if people of Cambodian don’t have issue of racism, and as an electric engineer do I have to apply for work permit , is naira accepted in the country, can someone move in with his family to Cambodian for permanent living or do other people have a limited time to live there?
Hi Andrew, thanks for reading. There can be some racism in Cambodia and in many parts of Asia. This is largely due to ignorance and because people maybe haven’t met or interacted with people from different parts of the world. Overall Cambodians are very open and friendly. If you intend to work in Cambodia then you will need a work permit. If you are just coming to travel then you can apply for a Tourist visa or Ordinary visa. Naira is not accepted, but Cambodian Riel and US Dollars are. I’m not sure if you can exchange Naira for USD or Riel once you arrive in Cambodia. The visa laws in Cambodia changed in 2017. You can read more about getting and extending a Cambodia visa in these two articles and from the links in the articles as well. https://twocantravel.com/getting-a-cambodia-visa/ https://twocantravel.com/how-to-extend-a-cambodia-visa/ Hope that helps!
Hi, I am going to relocate to PP alone next week because of work. The employer will have accommodations for me next to the office for the first 2 weeks. It is near the airport. I am quite scared and anxiety about staying alone in a strange place. I also worry about my personal safety and security in PP. Is it easy to get into some social group to expand my network to let me get rid of those ‘scared and anxiety’ feeling? Does anyone have similar experience to share?
Hi Gary! The airport is about 20-40 minutes from downtown, depending on traffic. I’m not sure if you’ll want to venture that far at night in your first couple of weeks. If you do, I recommend taking a Grab car at night time. You can download the app to your phone, and they often post discount coupons on the Grab Facebook page. When you have the chance to move to your own place, I recommend weighing your options based on what’s important to you, being closer to work or closer to downtown. It might be annoying to have a daily commute to the airport, but it could be worth living in town where more expats are to have more of a social life in the evenings and access to more restaurant and bar options. As for meeting people, check out the Facebook group Expats and Locals Living in Phnom Penh. They often post about events going on around the city. Best of luck!
I’m looking at going to Cambodia as part of my South East Asia tour. I hope to be in Asia for 2 years.
I’m gathering info on all my destinations and came across your site.
Thanks for all the detailed information. I’m going to look at more of your site to see if you cover other destinations of mine.
Thanks so much for reading and glad you’re finding our site useful 🙂 Let us know if you have any specific questions as you plan your trip.
This is a really great and informative post! Cambodia is my favorite country in SE Asia so far! I love that you can live there on such a wide variety of budgets. I loved visiting Phnom Penh and I’m glad to hear that their medical care is getting better. Good to know it’s a good spot should I need medical care.
Very thorough and informative article Jen! Great job!! I just found out about your blog today and have read a few of the interesting articles. You and Stevo are certainly living a life you will never regret whether you stay in Asia or eventually come back to So Cal the experience is life changing. Hugs to you both.
Don “Dad” Insley
Thanks for reading Papa Insley! Collin says you and Pat are traveling all over these days. Come visit us anytime! Big hugs to you both 😀
I had no idea how cheap life can be in Cambodia and especially if you want to live like the locals. Very interesting article thanks for sharing
Thanks for reading, Chrysoula! Life in Cambodia can be inexpensive, or very expensive, depending how you choose to spend your money. We live very well for much less money than we would back in America 🙂
Thank you so much Jennifer for this information!!!! Is a work permit required by the government before I start working? Or can I just go ahead and apply for jobs upon arrival? My background is in business and I would love to relocate somewhere knowing I can work. Any sites you can recommend on this is appreciated. Also, is there an online site for expats to connect? Thank you!!!!
Hi Lori,
A work permit is technically required, but the law is inconsistently enforced.You can go ahead and apply for jobs before or upon arrival and your company will be responsible for providing your work permit. Do ask about it in the interview.
The facebook group Expats and Locals Living in Phnom Penh is a good way to connect with people in the city. The facebook group Phnom Penh Housing is great to look at housing options.
Good luck and let us know if you have any other questions! -Jen
Wow, this is a really informative guide for people wanting to go to Cambodia. I didn’t realise how cheap it was!
Thanks Anita! Phnom Penh is a very affordable city to live in. Of course there are options available to spend a lot too! All depends on the kind of lifestyle you want here 🙂 Cheers for your comment!
This is a great overview of how living Cambodia is like, useful for anyone considering the move. It definitely sounds a lot more possible now with this information! Can’t wait to give Phnom Penh a visit.
Thanks Mar! Definitely let us know when you come through!!
This is a great overview of how living Cambodia is like, useful for anyone considering the move. Can’t wait to give Phnom Penh a visit!
Great to know for those who want to retire or just trying something new. I would like to visit soon.
Agreed, Phnom Penh is a great city for both retirees and adventure seekers! Let us know if you do come through soon.
Really informative guide if you’re looking to move to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The information is even good for someone just visiting as well. There seems to be a lot of positives to moving there. Really, fried tarantulas? 🙂
Haha they are surprisingly tasty, though no one ever seems to believe me when I say that! Glad you found the post helpful 🙂
What a detailed and informative guide! I’m always shocked at how cheap it is to live there. It’s something to consider – of course, I’d have to travel there first to see how I liked it! 🙂
Always a good idea to visit first before moving somewhere! (We’ve made that mistake :p ) After many visits to Phnom Penh over the years and meeting expats, we finally decided to move here. It is a great place to live!
Looks like Siem Reap is much more expensive than Phnom Penh. I had rented a single room (plus an attached bathroom) for $150 back in 2012 in Siem Reap’s suburbs. And it did not include anything else. Internet, housekeeping, electricity etc. was separate. So it was more than $200 per month.
I have been to Russian area in Phnom Penh. Next time will for these apartments.
What’s the basic difference between Cambodian style house and western styled?
Interesting that rents were so pricey back then in Siem Reap. Right now it seems to be a buyers/renters market in Phnom Penh as there is so much construction going on all over the city! The main differences between a Cambodian style vs. Western style home are the fixtures, furniture and decoration. For example, our older Cambodian style apartment had a removable nozzle shower that was right over the toilet, while our western style place has a rain shower and a curtain so we don’t soak the toilet when showering. In our Cambodian style place our living room furniture was more like lawn furniture, and our tv was old and boxy, whereas we now have a large, comfy L shaped couch and a flat screen tv. Basically everything is newer and more updated in our western style place. There are pros and cons to both, just depends what you are looking for!
I do not consider moving at the moment but it is always interesting to hear such information from expats. If you earn money like a foreigner it seems you can live like a king (if that is what somebody wants) in Combodia with those prices 🙂
Yes, we love to read about expat life in different places! Foreigners here are very lucky to earn the salaries we do. We certainly can afford to live more comfortably here than we could back in the US!
I was completely bowled over by the Killing Fields and the S-21 prison. I had studied it in university but going there and seeing it for myself was very moving.
Agreed Anne, it is very moving and upsetting, but so important to see when travelers come to Cambodia to understand the tragic yet recent past.
I’m thinking about moving for a year or two somewhere in SE Asia but never considered Phnom Penh. From your post it looks much more interesting and liveable than I expected. Thanks for such detailed post!
Glad you found it helpful, Aga 🙂 We have really enjoyed living in Phnom Penh and would absolutely recommend it.
What an awesome guide for people who want to try living abroad and very detailed post especially for Phnom Penh. I have a few friends who used to live there but have moved here in the US. It reminds me alot of the Philippines.
Thank you Janna! Interesting that it sounds similar to the Philippines. I (Jen) am going to Manila next month, so I’m excited to try and draw some comparisons.
Nice and detailed post of the cost of living in Phnom Penh…and in today’s dollars. Nice job telling your story and experiences. Sounds like a wonderful place to visit. Hopefully, we can get there soon 🙂
Thanks Rosemary! It has been a wonderful place to live, we are so happy we made the move here. Hope you two can visit someday soon!
Thanks for this guys! Super comprehensive guide. Saw you recently on house hunters international – congrats!
Thanks Meg! It was fun doing the show, glad we had that experience 🙂
This is interesting. I moved to France a few months ago and really, from the costs you’re listing, living in Europe isn’t all that much more expensive than Cambodia. Especially when you consider how expensive the regular produce I consume is to buy in Asia. I’d easily spend more than the difference in rent (mine is about double yours) just on salad and produce a month! I can buy a kilo of apples for the price you said a single apple costs.
Interesting to hear the cost of living in France is similar. I wouldn’t have expected that! We spend roughly $1400 per month to live in Phnom Penh for both of us including food, rent and all other expenses. Luckily not all apples are that expensive, but the option to buy fancy imported apples is there. (I think the parent bought them and left the stickers on as a kind of showy move). You can find more locally sourced apples for $2.50 per kilo, so you could still eat your fill without breaking the bank! :p
It’s a very comprehensive guide, Jen! It sounds as a medium expensive destination in Asia. I would love to visit Phnom Penh one day! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading! 🙂
I had a good friend who lived in Phnom Penh for a few years and really enjoyed it. The idea of paying $500 a month for rent (after living in London, where rent is just…more, a lot more) sounds pretty good too. I heard that the expat community was growing and that the city was expanding, which is great news for Phnom Penh.
Oh gosh, I have heard about rent prices in London and can’t even fathom it! Phnom Penh is changing rapidly and it’s quickly becoming a more popular expat destination for people from around the world. Definitely a fun and interesting place to live!
Despite everyone telling me before Phnom Penh isn’t nice, I really liked this city and could see myself living there for a while in the future too! Really cool ressource, will keep your little guide in my favourites when I go back! 🙂
Thanks Carolin! I can see why travelers don’t love Phnom Penh when just traveling through. It is a bit rough and tumble! We have fallen for the city over many visits, and even more deeply so while living here. There is much more going on than we ever could have guessed when we first visited. It is also a great place to make things happen if you want to.
This is such a detailed guide! It seems that the cost of living in Phnom Penh is very similar to the cost of living in the Philippines. There’s options that would fit any type of budget.
Interesting to hear that the costs are similar to the Philippines! And yes, there are options for just about any budget 🙂
I love the pictures weaved with the story. It completed the scene for me. Deep fried spider – wow. I was so inspired that I started looking for job openings. Jenn was over here saying how completely eddied out I was.
Anyway, great read. Thanks for sharing
Haha thanks Ed! Did you find anything that looked appealing?
It is ridiculous how it is so much cheaper than Ho Chi Minh as well. Drinking in Cambodia is even cheaper and it is already cheap in Nam!! #GoodLife
http://www.AdventureFaktory.com
It’s interesting you say that! A friend we met in Phnom Penh recently moved to Ho Chi Minh and said that the cost of living is actually a bit cheaper, and the salaries for teachers are higher. When we visited Vietnam we felt like the food was a lot cheaper as we were eating street food more often than we tend to in Cambodia. But yes, #Goodlife indeed! 😀
First of all, this is one of the most informative posts I’ve read about living in another country! Thank you so much for the informative tips, honest reviews, and giving so much detail about your living expenses. Not every opens up like that! Definitely makes us think we could do this someday!
Thanks so much for your kind feedback, Kallsy! Glad our transparency was helpful to you. I always appreciate when people open up about the true cost of things as well. You guys can definitely do it!!