Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is rapidly emerging as a digital nomad destination with incredibly low costs, improving infrastructure, and rich cultural heritage. The city offers a authentic Cambodian experience with friendly locals and a growing expat community.

72Good

Internet

60 Mbps

Monthly Cost

$400-$800

Safety Score

70/100

Coworking

12 spaces

Cambodia's emerging capital

Quality Scores

Overall72

Cost of Living95

Internet70

Safety70

Lifestyle72

Highlights

Extremely affordable living
Rich cultural heritage
Friendly local culture
Growing expat community
Central for Cambodia exploration

Living in Phnom Penh — Your Questions Answered

Budget

1,600,000-2,000,000 KHR$400-$500

Comfortable

2,400,000-3,200,000 KHR$600-$800

Luxury

4,000,000+ KHR$1,000+

Budget covers basic studio and local food, comfortable adds AC, gym, and Western meals, luxury includes serviced apartments and unlimited dining out.

Studio long-term

800,000-1,200,000 KHR/mo$200-$300/mo

1-bed long-term

1,200,000-2,000,000 KHR/mo$300-$500/mo

Short-term furnished

1,600,000-2,400,000 KHR/mo$400-$600/mo

Nomad hub area

BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang)

Rental market is flexible with negotiable rates and most landlords prefer USD payments over KHR.

BESTGrab bike

4,000-12,000 KHR per trip$1-$3

Grab car

8,000-20,000 KHR per trip$2-$5

Tuk-tuk

8,000-16,000 KHR per trip$2-$4

Monthly scooter rental

200,000-320,000 KHR$50-$80

Grab bike is cheapest and fastest for solo travel, though many nomads rent scooters for freedom despite chaotic traffic.

Average speed

60 Mbps

SIM card (monthly data)

20,000-40,000 KHR$5-$10

Cafe WiFi quality

variable

Coworking WiFi

100-200 Mbps

Fiber internet is widely available and reliable in BKK1 area, with Metfone and Cellcard being the best mobile providers.

Street food meal

4,000-12,000 KHR$1-$3

Local restaurant

12,000-24,000 KHR$3-$6

Western restaurant

24,000-48,000 KHR$6-$12

Coffee

4,000-12,000 KHR$1-$3

Beer

2,000-8,000 KHR$0.50-$2

Weekly groceries

120,000-200,000 KHR$30-$50

Street food and local restaurants are incredibly cheap, while Western food in BKK1 approaches Bangkok prices.

Day pass

20,000-32,000 KHR$5-$8

Monthly membership

280,000-400,000 KHR$70-$100

Best known space

SmallWorld

Second space

Factory Phnom Penh

Growing coworking scene concentrated in BKK1 with reliable WiFi, AC, and active communities but less developed than Bangkok or Saigon.

Tourist visa

30 days extendable

Digital nomad visa

not available

Min. income required

N/AN/A

Application cost

120,000-160,000 KHR$30-$40

Most nomads use e-visa on arrival then extend monthly or get a business visa for longer stays which is easy and flexible.

Safety score

70/100

Solo female travel

comfortable with caution

Main risk

bag snatching from motorbikes

Areas to avoid

late night walking near casinos

Generally safe but petty crime like phone/bag snatching is common, especially at night, so stay alert and use Grab after dark.

Climate type

tropical monsoon

Best months

November to February

Avoid

April-May, extreme heat 35-40°C

Temperature range

25-35°C / 77-95°F

Hot and humid year-round with heavy rains June-October, making AC essential and outdoor activities uncomfortable most of the year.

Scene maturity

growing

Main nomad area

BKK1 and Riverside

Facebook/Slack group

Phnom Penh Expats

Typical demographic

budget nomads, NGO workers, young entrepreneurs

Smaller than Bangkok or Chiang Mai but friendly and accessible, with regular meetups at coworking spaces and cafes in BKK1.

Phnom Penh Relocation Checklist

Everything you need before and after arriving in Phnom Penh

Best Time to Visit

NovemberDecemberJanuaryFebruary

Visa Information

Visa on ArrivalYes

Digital Nomad VisaNo

More Information

See how Phnom Penh ranks globally →Compare Phnom Penh with another destination →

Timezone

UTC+7

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