Siem Reap vs Kampong Cham: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Siem Reap costs roughly 2% less than Kampong Cham. Beyond cost, the two cities are closely matched — lifestyle fit and visa options are likely the deciding factors. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Kampong Cham is approximately 11% less expensive than Siem Reap based on cost of living including rent. This makes Kampong Cham a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Kampong Cham has a FIRE Score of 78/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 50, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Kampong Cham is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Siem Reap
Siem Reap is a budget expat haven where $900 a month covers a single person's rent and expenses, and a cappuccino costs just $2. The local average salary of $236 a month highlights the stark economic gap, but the city's low crime index of 35 and decent safety score of 65 make it feel secure. The tropical monsoon climate delivers brutal humidity and intense rain from May to October, though the dry season offers some relief. If you can handle the heat and limited English beyond tourist zones, this is a cheap, laid-back base with a small expat community.
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
About Kampong Cham
Kampong Cham is a dirt-cheap Cambodian town where a single person can live comfortably on $2,200 a month, but the local average salary of $150 a month tells you this place is built for expats with remote income, not local jobs. The riverfront area is the only real expat neighborhood, and with a safety index of 50 and limited English, it's not for the faint of heart. If you're chasing the FIRE dream on a shoestring, the $300 rent for a city-center one-bedroom and $3 restaurant meals are unbeatable, but retirees and digital nomads should look elsewhere given the mediocre scores of 50 and 53 respectively.
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.
$1,700/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
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| Metric | Siem Reap | Kampong Cham |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $334 | $300 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $235.09 | $220 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $671.09 | $650 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $436.33 | $450 |
| Safety Index | 65 | 50 |
| Internet Speed | 45Mbps | 30Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
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Siem Reap vs Kampong Cham -- Frequently Asked Questions
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