Ljubljana vs Phnom Penh

Real cost of living, rent, internet, safety and visa terms for both cities, side by side — then open the interactive tool to weight them against your own priorities.

Ljubljana, Slovenia
🇸🇮Slovenia

Ljubljana

76Freedom Score#30Global rank$2,180Per month

Slovenia's storybook capital — car-free centre, the Alps and Adriatic within reach, and the fastest average internet on this list.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia
🇰🇭Cambodia

Phnom Penh

62Freedom Score#80Global rank$1,268Per month

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.

The short answer

Compare these two in the full toolBoth cities pre-loaded — add your income and priorities to get a personal match score

Cost of living

Monthly figures for one person. Rent, meals and coworking are measured values, not shares of the total budget.

ExpenseLjubljanaPhnom Penh
Comfortable budgetper month, all in$2,180$1,268
Rent, 1BR city centre$981$642
Meal, mid-range$12$6
Coworking deskper month$196$150
Cost of living indexlower is cheaper48.440.0

Quality of life

Scored 0–100 on the same attributes the match engine weights, so these agree with the interactive tool.

MeasureLjubljanaPhnom Penh
Safety
78
58
Healthcare
80
45
Walkability
85
55
English spoken
80
42
Food & dining
75
70
Nightlife
60
65
Outdoors
82
36
Nomad community
50
58
Climate quality
76
68
Public transit
70
42

Scores, connectivity and paperwork

MeasureLjubljanaPhnom Penh
Freedom Score76/10062/100
Global rankof 100 cities#30#80
Internet90 Mbps55 Mbps
Average temperature52°F84°F
Air quality38/10055/100
Airport connectivity52/10062/100
Nomad visa90-day+ stayE-visa 30d
Headline tax rateon local income24%10%

Which should you choose?

Choose Ljubljana if internet is faster at 90 Mbps, it scores higher on safety (78 vs 58), it is more walkable and English is more widely spoken.

Choose Phnom Penh if runs $912/mo cheaper, rent is $339/mo lower, the nomad community is larger and the headline tax rate is lower.

What each city is known for

Ljubljana

  • Fastest average internet of the new cities (~386 Mbps)
  • Car-free green city centre — exceptionally walkable & safe
  • Alps and Adriatic coast both under two hours away
  • Safe, clean, and central to the rest of Europe

Phnom Penh

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

Frequently asked questions

Which is better for digital nomads: Ljubljana or Phnom Penh?
Ljubljana scores higher on the Freedom Score (76/100 against 62/100), which makes it the stronger all-round base. That is an average, though — if cost, climate or community is what actually decides it for you, the tables above will point the other way as often as not.
Which is cheaper: Ljubljana or Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh is cheaper. A comfortable monthly budget is $1,268 against $2,180, a difference of $912 a month or about $10,944 a year. Rent is the biggest single line: $981/mo in Ljubljana versus $642/mo in Phnom Penh.
Which is safer: Ljubljana or Phnom Penh?
Ljubljana scores higher on safety, 78/100 against 58/100. Safety scores blend crime levels, political stability and healthcare access, and they describe a city as a whole — individual neighbourhoods vary far more than the headline number suggests.
How fast is the internet in Ljubljana and Phnom Penh?
Ljubljana averages 90 Mbps and Phnom Penh averages 55 Mbps, so Ljubljana has the headroom if you push large files or run video calls all day.
What visa would I need for Ljubljana or Phnom Penh?
Ljubljana sits in Slovenia (90-day+ stay) and Phnom Penh in Cambodia (E-visa 30d). Requirements, income floors and processing times change often, so check the visa and residency guide before you commit to either.
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