Phnom Penh vs Sihanoukville: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Sihanoukville costs roughly 1% less than Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh has significantly faster average internet speeds (54 Mbps vs 30 Mbps). Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Sihanoukville is approximately 62% less expensive than Phnom Penh based on cost of living including rent. This makes Sihanoukville a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Sihanoukville has a FIRE Score of 76/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 55, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Sihanoukville is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is a budget expat's dream, with a single adult living comfortably on $2,000 a month including rent, and a local meal costing just $4. The trade-off is real: safety is shaky, healthcare is only fair, and English proficiency is limited, so you'll need patience and street smarts. The large expat community in areas like BKK1 and Tonle Bassac softens the landing, but the low average local salary of $324 a month highlights the stark economic divide. It's a gritty, cheap, and lively base for digital nomads, not a cushy retirement haven.
About Cambodia
A Healthcare Index of 25.8 rules this out for retirees with serious medical needs. Skip it if you need English-language ease too, proficiency is low. But budget-focused remote workers or younger retirees chasing sub-$1,000/month living, with rent from around $273 and a real digital nomad visa route, will find it hard to beat.
$1,000/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Sihanoukville
Sihanoukville is a raw, chaotic bet that only makes sense if you're chasing rock-bottom costs and don't mind a construction-site backdrop. The $400 monthly rent for a city-center one-bedroom is absurdly cheap, and a $4 meal means your $900 budget tier actually stretches, but the 45 km airport haul and a safety index of 55/100 should temper any romantic notions. The large expat community and active scene around Otres and Independence Beaches offer some social anchor, yet the mediocre healthcare and 30 Mbps internet will frustrate anyone needing reliability. It's a FIRE-friendly frontier town, not a comfortable retirement or remote-work haven, so come for the savings and leave your expectations at the border.
About Cambodia
A Healthcare Index of 25.8 rules this out for retirees with serious medical needs. Skip it if you need English-language ease too, proficiency is low. But budget-focused remote workers or younger retirees chasing sub-$1,000/month living, with rent from around $273 and a real digital nomad visa route, will find it hard to beat.
$1,650/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Phnom Penh | Sihanoukville |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $646.36 | $400 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $370.33 | $300 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1144.48 | $650 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $806.58 | $500 |
| Safety Index | 45 | 55 |
| Internet Speed | 54.2Mbps | 30Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
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Phnom Penh vs Sihanoukville -- Frequently Asked Questions
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