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Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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Phnom Penh

Cambodia
62Freedom
Score
☀️
84°F
Avg Temp
💰
$1,268
Cost / month
🛰️
55 Mbps
Internet
⌚
GMT+7
Timezone · NYC +11h
📋
E-visa 30d
Visa
📊
Territorial
Foreign income
⏰
8:30 PM
US open (local)

About Phnom Penh

Cambodia's riverside capital blends Royal Palace grandeur, French-colonial boulevards, and an easy e-visa with one of Southeast Asia's lowest cost floors.

Phnom Penh at a Glance

Cost of Living
75
Safety
58
Internet Speed
18
Healthcare
45
Walkability
55
Nightlife
65
Food & Dining
70
Outdoor Activities
36
English Proficiency
42
Weather
68
Visa Friendliness
20
Tax Favorability
90

Why Digital Nomads Choose Phnom Penh

  • 30-day e-visa on arrival
  • Royal Palace and riverside promenade
  • Among the cheapest SE Asian capitals
  • Friendly, USD-friendly economy

Key Facts

Monthly Cost$1,268
Internet Speed55 Mbps
Avg Temp84°F
Safety Score58/100
Country Cambodia

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Before You Commit

What the brochures leave out. These are cross-checked against our full database, so a visa upside that a banking rule quietly cancels out shows up here — including Cambodia-wide issues that apply wherever you land.

Warning Visa A business visa is not permission to work — the work permit is a separate filing

The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training requires a work permit from foreigners working in Cambodia, with new arrivals filing within 90 days of entry and existing holders renewing by March 31 each year. Penalties can fall on both the worker and the employer. The E-class business visa extends indefinitely in 1, 3, 6 or 12-month blocks but carries no work authorisation of its own.

Verified Sep 6, 2026 · applies to all of Cambodia · kpmg.com

Cost of Living in Phnom Penh

A comfortable digital-nomad lifestyle in Phnom Penh runs about $1,268/month. Here's how that breaks down by lifestyle tier and line item — figures in USD.

Backpacker
$700/mo
Hostels, street food, no coworking
Comfortable
$1,268/mo
Private room, coworking, dining out
Luxury
$2,400/mo
Prime rental, premium dining
Line itemPhnom Penh
Rent (1BR, city center)$642/mo
Mid-range restaurant meal$6
Coworking desk$150/mo
Avg local salary$450/mo

Cost-of-living index: 40 (New York City = 100; lower = cheaper). Living costs here sit well below major US cities.

Three alternatives to Phnom Penh

A comfortable month in Phnom Penh runs about $1,268. The cheapest place we hold real figures for is Siem Reap at 30% less, and it is in Cambodia too, so your visa and tax position do not change. The other two are the closest trades we have priced — each card says what you gain first and what you give up second.

30%less
Siem Reapsame visa
$885/mo vs $1,268
Same country, so the same visa and tax position.
10%more
Bangkoksame budget
$1,400/mo vs $1,268
Faster internet (250 vs 55 Mbps) and better healthcare — but a harder visa.
42%more
Manilastep up
$1,800/mo vs $1,268
More English spoken and better healthcare — but less safe.

Monthly costs from our own database, verified Sep 6, 2026. Comparison is total comfortable monthly cost, not rent alone.

Working Remotely from Phnom Penh

55 Mbps
Internet Speed
70/100
Reliability
58/100
Coworking
58/100
Remote-Work

Average broadband in Phnom Penh reaches 55 Mbps, with a reliability score of 70/100. Coworking availability scores 58/100, and the city rates 58/100 for overall remote-work friendliness.

Quality of Life & Safety in Phnom Penh

Air Quality (AQI)
55
Sunshine
2,500 hrs
Crime Index
42
Climate Comfort
68
Healthcare
45
Walkability
55
Public Transit
42
Utilities
64
Political Stability
45
Expat Community
58
Dating Scene
45
Banking & Payments
52
Flight Connectivity
48

Air quality in Phnom Penh sits at AQI 55 (moderate). The city sees around 2,500 hours of sunshine per year. Crime index is 42 (lower = safer).

Visa & Taxes in Cambodia

20/100
Visa Friendliness
Yes
Visa on Arrival
10%
Income Tax Rate
90/100
Tax Friendliness

Phnom Penh scores 20/100 for visa friendliness; visa-on-arrival is available for many passport holders. The estimated personal income tax rate is around 10%, with a tax-friendliness score of 90/100.

For official, up-to-date visa and tax guidance for Cambodia, see our Visa Intelligence and Tax Intelligence resource hubs.

Is Phnom Penh a Good City for Digital Nomads?

Phnom Penh, Cambodia, is ranked by YourLifeMatch with a Freedom Score of 62/100. It stands out as one of the top destinations for remote workers because:

Phnom Penh Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phnom Penh a good city for digital nomads?

Phnom Penh scores 62/100 on the YourLifeMatch Freedom Index. Phnom Penh offers a low-tax environment for location-independent earners Monthly cost is around $1,268 with internet speeds near 55 Mbps.

How much does it cost to live in Phnom Penh?

A comfortable digital-nomad lifestyle in Phnom Penh costs about $1,268/month. Backpacker budgets run around $700/mo, while a luxury lifestyle can reach $2,400/mo. Rent for a 1BR in the city center is roughly $642/month.

What is the internet speed in Phnom Penh?

Average broadband in Phnom Penh is 55 Mbps, with a reliability score of 70/100 and coworking availability at 58/100.

Is Phnom Penh safe?

Phnom Penh has a safety score of 58/100 and a crime index of 42 (lower is safer). As with any city, exercise standard precautions and research neighborhoods before settling.

What is the tax rate in Cambodia?

The estimated personal income tax rate in Cambodia is around 10%, with a tax-friendliness score of 90/100. Always consult a tax professional — US citizens must also comply with FATCA and FBAR rules.

Do I need a visa for Phnom Penh?

Phnom Penh scores 20/100 for visa friendliness; visa-on-arrival is available. Check our Visa Intelligence hub for the latest official requirements for Cambodia.

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