Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Cambodia Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Cambodia

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,645 per month in United States vs $546 in Cambodia, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,858 per month in United States vs $852 in Cambodia, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,071 per month in United States vs $1,157 in Cambodia, rent included.

United States costs about 384% more than Cambodia on average โ€” the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 97% above the global median, while Cambodia is 59% below โ€“ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

United States has a wider regional cost range ($1,335โ€“$5,185) than Cambodia ($0โ€“$955), so location matters more when choosing where to live in United States.

Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
United States
Cambodia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.28 $20.28
$2.94 แŸ›11.7K
589.80%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.7 $73.7
$27.38 แŸ›109.3K
169.21%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.57 $11.57
$7.08 แŸ›28.3K
63.42%
Cappuccino
$5.34 $5.34
$2.31 แŸ›9,236
131.17%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50 $2.50
$0.91 แŸ›3,631
174.73%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.10 $2.10
$0.77 แŸ›3,067
172.73%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.96 $5.96
$0.99 แŸ›3,948
502.02%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.03 $7.03
$2.54 แŸ›10.2K
176.77%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
United States
Cambodia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.09 $1.09
$2.16 แŸ›8,622
-49.54%
White Bread (500g)
$3.56 $3.56
$1.73 แŸ›6,886
105.78%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.75 $4.75
$0.90 แŸ›3,598
427.78%
Eggs
$4.26 $4.26
$1.82 แŸ›7,272
134.07%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.05 $13.05
$14.14 แŸ›56.4K
-7.71%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.32 $12.32
$4.29 แŸ›17.1K
187.18%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.03 $16.03
$9.90 แŸ›39.5K
61.92%
Apples (1kg)
$5.34 $5.34
$3.70 แŸ›14.7K
44.32%
Banana (1kg)
$1.72 $1.72
$1.25 แŸ›4,987
37.60%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.55 $4.55
$3.43 แŸ›13.7K
32.65%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.96 $4.96
$1.41 แŸ›5,618
251.77%
Potato (1kg)
$2.92 $2.92
$1.35 แŸ›5,369
116.30%
Onion (1kg)
$3.03 $3.03
$1.13 แŸ›4,511
168.14%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.23 $2.23
$1.63 แŸ›6,486
36.81%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.26 $2.26
$0.69 แŸ›2,752
227.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.13 $10.13
$1.95 แŸ›7,796
419.49%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.93 $14.93
$9.86 แŸ›39.3K
51.42%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.94 $1.94
$0.92 แŸ›3,652
110.87%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.51 $3.51
$1.69 แŸ›6,751
107.69%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
United States
Cambodia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.55 $2.55
$0.98 แŸ›3,914
160.20%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.8 $65.8
$10.81 แŸ›43.1K
508.79%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.82 $3.82
$1.02 แŸ›4,070
274.51%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.69 $1.69
$0.98 แŸ›3,922
72.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.65 $29.65
$4.30 แŸ›17.1K
589.53%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.90 $0.90
$1.13 แŸ›4,523
-20.35%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.5K $30.5K
$42.2K แŸ›168.6M
-27.86%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4K $26.4K
$37.5K แŸ›149.5M
-29.67%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Cambodia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$205 $205
$89.2 แŸ›356.1K
129.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$57.2 $57.2
$6.13 แŸ›24.4K
832.46%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.5 $71.5
$24.15 แŸ›96.4K
195.94%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
United States
Cambodia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.76 $45.76
$42.88 แŸ›171.1K
6.72%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.31 $22.31
$8.95 แŸ›35.7K
149.27%
Cinema Ticket
$13.89 $13.89
$5.05 แŸ›20.1K
175.05%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
United States
Cambodia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,380 $1,380
$322 แŸ›1.3M
327.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.5K $22.5K
$6,878 แŸ›27.4M
226.44%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
United States
Cambodia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.9 $52.9
$23.05 แŸ›92.0K
129.46%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.81 $42.81
$21.88 แŸ›87.3K
95.66%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88.8 $88.8
$71.4 แŸ›285.0K
24.38%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 $113
$57.3 แŸ›228.5K
98.11%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
United States
Cambodia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,742 $1,742
$411 แŸ›1.6M
324.38%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,431 $1,431
$245 แŸ›976.8K
484.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,864 $2,864
$760 แŸ›3.0M
276.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,422 $2,422
$452 แŸ›1.8M
435.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,466 $3,466
$2,722 แŸ›10.9M
27.33%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,650 $2,650
$1,291 แŸ›5.2M
105.18%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
United States
Cambodia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,320 $4,320
$279 แŸ›1.1M
1450.12%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
11.09
-41.30%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for United States: April 19, 2026

Last update for Cambodia: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,634 in United States vs $161 in Cambodia. For reference, capital cities sit at $2,570 in Washington, DC and $502 in Phnom Penh.

Average salary: $4,489 in United States vs $229 in Cambodia. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 915% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 248% more in United States.

Public transport is 2400% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 1860% higher in United States, giving United States stronger purchasing power.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
United States vs Cambodia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambodia more expensive than United States?
Cambodia is the cheaper option โ€“ living costs run roughly 583% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Cambodia, contributing to the overall 583% price gap. The savings show up everywhere โ€“ from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget in Cambodia or United States?
$1,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Cambodia, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Cambodia or United States?
Cambodia is the budget-friendly choice for expats โ€“ lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.

United States vs other spots: cost of living compared

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