Cambodia
Data updated Jul 15, 2026
Overall Score
39.8
Fair
Avg. Rent (1BR)
$416
-76% vs US Avg
Safety Index
52.7
COL Index
33.9
Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution
Please check the latest official travel advisories for Cambodia before planning your trip.
Cambodia suits a specific type of person: someone who wants the absolute floor on living costs in Southeast Asia, is comfortable in a country with real institutional gaps, and does not need much hand-holding from the local government or healthcare system. The sweet spot is a single person living on $1,500 to $2,000 a month who wants to stretch a modest retirement or a small remote income further than almost anywhere else in the region. Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have functional expat infrastructure, but this is not a place for someone who needs reliable bureaucratic processes or expects the systems around them to work the way they do at home. The State Department carries a Level 2 advisory, the same as France or Japan on paper, but the underlying reasons here involve petty crime, political unpredictability, and weak rule of law rather than terrorism abstractions.
The cost numbers are real and among the lowest in Asia. A single person can cover all living expenses excluding rent for roughly $430 to $580 a month depending on how you count. Add a decent one-bedroom apartment in central Phnom Penh at around $415 and you are looking at a functional budget of $900 to $1,100 a month total. Western comforts add up fast though. If you are eating imported food, drinking at expat bars, and running air conditioning through the hot season, expect your non-rent spending to climb closer to $800. The $430 baseline assumes local markets and Khmer food, which is a real option but not where most Western expats actually land after six months.
The practical friction in Cambodia is concentrated in healthcare and legal stability. The Numbeo healthcare index sits at 25.8 out of 100, which is one of the lowest scores in Asia. For anything beyond a minor infection or a broken bone, you will be on a flight to Bangkok. Serious expats carry international health insurance and budget for medical evacuations, which can run $5,000 to $15,000 without coverage. English is spoken in expat areas but falls off sharply outside Phnom Penh, making basic errands in secondary cities harder than in Thailand or Vietnam. Foreigners cannot own land outright under Cambodian law, so property is typically held through long-term leases or corporate structures that carry real legal risk. The country also abolished its retirement visa in recent years, so most expats cycle through tourist visa extensions or use an "ordinary" E-class visa, a process that is functional but requires periodic renewal attention and is subject to rule changes with little notice.
For US expats, the standard rules apply: the IRS taxes you on worldwide income regardless of where you live, so nothing about Cambodia changes your federal filing obligation. Cambodia has no income tax treaty with the United States, which means you cannot reduce double taxation through treaty provisions. In practice this matters less than it sounds for most retirees or FIRE people drawing from US brokerage or retirement accounts, since Cambodia does not currently tax foreign-sourced income brought into the country for personal use. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion is available if you qualify under the bona fide residence or physical presence test, covering up to $126,500 of earned income for 2024. The Foreign Tax Credit is largely irrelevant here since Cambodia imposes minimal tax on most expats in practice. You will still owe NIIT, self-employment tax if applicable, and full US reporting requirements including FBAR if you hold over $10,000 in Cambodian bank accounts.
Recommended Destinations in Cambodia
Best for Retirees
Best for Geoarbitrage
Best for Remote Workers
- Capital
- Phnom Penh
- Official Language
- Khmer
- Time Zone
- UTC+07:00
- Region
- Asia
- Population
- 16,718,971
- Healthcare Index
- 25.8
- Internet Speed
- 81.17 Mbps
- Climate Zones
- tropical
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Explore data visually
🏙️ Top Cities in Cambodia
Explore cost of living, walkability scores, and expat ratings for individual cities in Cambodia.
CoL Index: 33
Est. Total: ~$720/mo
CoL Index: 47
Est. Total: ~$1,300/mo
CoL Index: 38
Est. Total: ~$930/mo
CoL Index: 36
Est. Total: ~$700/mo
CoL Index: 34
Est. Total: ~$1,090/mo
CoL Index: 37
Est. Total: ~$930/mo
CoL Index: 34
Est. Total: ~$525/mo
How far does $1,500 go in Cambodia?
With a monthly budget of $1,500, you can live comfortably in Cambodia. After accounting for an average rent of $$416, you have approximately $1,084remaining for daily expenses.
Calculate your FIRE timeline with these costs →💰 Cost of Living in Cambodia
Relative to New York City (NYC = 100). A lower number means it's cheaper.
Relative to New York City (NYC = 100). A lower number means rent is cheaper.
Relative to New York City (NYC = 100). A lower number means groceries are cheaper.
Relative to New York City (NYC = 100). A lower number means eating out is cheaper.
Cost Comparison Notes:
Summary of cost of living in Cambodia: The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are 65,510.7NT$ ($2,050.5), excluding rent. The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 18,134.1NT$ ($567.6), excluding rent.
🛒 Grocery & Family Costs
Family Costs
Can I afford to live in Cambodia?
Comfortable (1.0×): balanced baseline lifestyle. Adjusts day-to-day costs only — rent is unaffected.
Cambodia
You could save
2,008/mo
Monthly Costs
Attractiveness Scores
Based on national averages. City-level costs may vary. Browse cities in Cambodia →
⚕️ Healthcare System
Our Top Pick for Nomads: SafetyWing
Flexible, subscription-based health cover for remote workers in Cambodia.
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An estimation of the overall quality of the health care system. Higher is better.
Quality & Affordability:
Cambodia has a public healthcare system that offers basic services, but it is often underfunded and lacks resources. Private healthcare facilities provide higher quality care and are widely used by those who can afford them.
Insurance Insights:
Private health insurance is available and commonly used to access better healthcare services.
🛂 Visa & Residency Pathways
🛂 Visa Services
Ready to apply for a Cambodia visa?
Get help with your application — tourist, long-stay, and residency visas processed online.
General Overview
Available Visa Types:
Process & Requirements:
Cambodia is known for its relatively easy initial access but 'complex' long-term residency system. For many years, it was simple to obtain a renewable one-year 'business' or 'ordinary' visa (E-type) without proof of employment. However, the system has become much stricter. Now, to extend an E-type visa, you must have a valid work permit sponsored by a Cambodian employer. This has made long-term stays more challenging for those not formally employed, such as freelancers or retirees. The country did introduce a 'Retirement' (ER) extension, but it requires proof of funds and is not as flexible as the old system.
The process is managed by the General Department of Immigration. The shift from a very lax system to a more regulated one has increased the complexity, though it remains more accessible than many neighboring countries (URL: https://www.immigration.gov.kh/).
Residency & Citizenship Notes:
There is no formal pathway to permanent residency in Cambodia. The pathway to citizenship is 'difficult'. An application can be made after seven years of legal residence. The applicant must be fluent in Khmer (both spoken and written), knowledgeable about Cambodian history and culture, and be of good character. The language requirement is a very high barrier for most foreigners. Citizenship can also be granted for significant investment or donation to the country. Cambodia does not officially recognize dual citizenship for naturalized citizens, and renunciation of a previous nationality is generally required. This makes the path to a Cambodian passport a difficult one.
🛂 Visa Matcher
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Detailed Visa Options
🧳 Tourist & Short-Stay Information
Extension Notes
The T-type tourist visa can be extended once for an additional 30 days. This must be done at the Department of Immigration in Phnom Penh. For longer stays, visitors often use the renewable E-class (Business) visa.
Official Source: View Source
General Visa Notes
US citizens can obtain a 30-day T-type tourist visa on arrival at major airports and land borders, or apply for an e-Visa online beforehand. A passport with six months' validity is required. A fee is charged.
Official Source: View Source
🌴 Retirement / Passive Income Visa
This country does not have a dedicated retirement visa, but the following notes provide guidance on pathways for retirees.
Income Notes
Cambodia offers a renewable, one-year retirement visa (ER) for individuals aged 55+. Applicants must first obtain an ordinary (Type E) visa. There is no officially mandated minimum income, but applicants must be able to provide documentation proving their retirement status and financial sufficiency (e.g., social security statement, bank statements) to the immigration department.
Official Source: https://www.immigration.gov.kh/page/visa-extension
Health Insurance Notes
For the renewable one-year 'ER' (Retirement) visa, while not always strictly enforced as a prerequisite document for the extension, proof of comprehensive health insurance is highly advisable and may be requested by immigration officials to demonstrate financial sufficiency.
Official Source: https://www.immigration.gov.kh/page/visa-extension
💻 Digital Nomad Visa
Income Notes
Cambodia does not have a specific 'digital nomad' visa, but its E-class 'Business Visa' functions as one and is very popular. It is easy to obtain and can be extended indefinitely without requiring proof of income or a local employer. This makes it a widely used de facto nomad visa.
Official Source: View Source
Tax Notes
An individual becomes a tax resident of Cambodia after spending more than 183 days in the country. As a resident, you are technically subject to tax on your worldwide income. Enforcement on remote workers has historically been lax, but this could change. Source: General Department of Taxation, Cambodia.
📈 Investor Visa
Investment Details
Investment Options & Notes
The Cambodia My 2nd Home program is the main investor visa route. It requires applicants to have an investment of at least $100,000 USD in a pre-approved real estate project. The visa is valid for 10 years. (Official Program Partner, as government links are poor).
Official Source: View Source
Path to Citizenship
Citizenship Notes
After 7 years of legal residence, an investor can apply for citizenship. The applicant must be fluent in the Khmer language and understand Cambodian history. A more direct path is possible via a large donation ($250,000+) to the government, subject to approval. Cambodia allows dual citizenship. Source: Law on Nationality of Cambodia.
🛡️ Safety & Stability
An estimation of overall safety level. Higher is better.
An estimation of the overall level of crime. Lower is better.
World Bank political stability estimate, rescaled to 0-100. Higher is better.
Safety Notes:
Crime Rate: High. Cambodia experiences high levels of crime, including violent crime and civil unrest.
Types of Crime: Armed robbery, assault, kidnapping, and gang-related violence.
Kidnapping Risk: High; incidents are common, particularly in Phnom Penh and other urban areas.
🏦 Taxation & Finance
🏦 Tax Snapshot
FEIE Interaction
FTC Utility: low
Cambodia's top marginal salary tax rate is 20%, which is substantially below the US top marginal rate. For most US expats earning moderate incomes, Cambodian taxes paid will not fully offset US tax liability, making the FEIE generally more beneficial than the FTC. No US-Cambodia tax treaty exists to reduce double taxation. FTC utility is low for most income levels.
Presence Day Count Notes
Standard IRS 330-day physical presence test applies. Cambodia does not impose exit controls that would complicate day counting. US citizens residing in Cambodia on long-stay visas or as tax residents qualify under the standard FEIE rules. Cambodia issues multiple visa types (ordinary E visa, business visa) that support extended stays.
FBAR Trigger Notes
FinCEN FBAR filing required if aggregate value of foreign financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at any point during the calendar year. Cambodian bank accounts denominated in USD or KHR both count. Cambodia has a heavily dollarized banking system; many accounts are USD-denominated. FATCA reporting applies. Cambodia is not a FATCA IGA partner as of the last verified date, which may create gaps in automatic reporting but does not eliminate US person obligations.
401k/IRA Treatment
Pension Income
Foreign pension income received by a Cambodian resident may be subject to salary tax if treated as employment-related income. Cambodia generally taxes salary income from Cambodian sources. Foreign-source pension income for non-citizen residents is not clearly taxed under current GDT practice. No specific rate is confirmed for foreign pension income; the marginal salary tax schedule would apply if deemed taxable.
Locally TaxedSocial Security
No US-Cambodia totalization or income tax treaty exists. US Social Security benefits paid to a US expat in Cambodia are not Cambodian-source income and are not subject to Cambodian salary tax. The US retains the right to tax its citizens on Social Security under US domestic law regardless of residence.
Not Taxed LocallyRoth Distributions
No Cambodia-US tax treaty exists. Roth distributions are after-tax contributions and not typically recognized as taxable income under most regimes. Cambodia's salary tax applies to Cambodia-source employment income; Roth distributions would not generally constitute Cambodian-source income for a US expat. Treatment is uncertain in the absence of specific guidance.
Not Taxed LocallyUS 401k/IRA Distributions
Cambodia has no tax treaty with the United States. US retirement distributions received by a Cambodian tax resident would be treated as foreign-source income. Cambodia taxes residents on Cambodia-source income; foreign-source income is generally not subject to Cambodian salary tax for individual employees, but US expats should confirm treatment under the residency-based rules. No treaty protection exists. The 20% top marginal rate is cited as a reference for worst-case treatment.
Locally TaxedCapital Gains Tax
Cambodia introduced a capital gains tax effective 2024. Capital gains on real property and other capital assets are taxed at 20% for companies. For individuals, gains on immovable property are subject to a separate regime - a 0.1% property transfer tax applies at the point of sale, and a 20% capital gains tax on net gain has been in development. Corporate capital gains are generally folded into taxable income at the standard 20% CIT rate. The long-deferred implementation of full individual capital gains tax rules has proceeded in phases; the 20% top marginal rate is used here as the applicable rate pending full individual framework confirmation.
Cambodia's capital gains tax framework was formalized under Prakas 346 (2021) with implementation phased in. Corporate capital gains are taxed as ordinary income at the 20% CIT rate. Individual gains on immovable property are subject to a property transfer tax of 0.1% on transaction value at transfer, with a 20% capital gains tax on net gain applying to residents. No distinction is made for long-term versus short-term holding periods.
Dividend Tax Rate
Dividends paid to residents and non-residents are subject to withholding tax. The standard withholding rate on dividends paid to non-residents is 14%. Dividends paid to resident individuals are subject to a 0% withholding rate when distributed from after-tax profits that have already borne Cambodian CIT, though a 14% WHT may apply in certain circumstances. PwC and GDT sources confirm 14% as the primary withholding rate applicable to non-resident recipients.
withholding
Rate: 14.0%
Standard WHT rate on dividends paid to non-residents. Also applies to resident individuals in some circumstances.
withholding
Rate: 0.0%
Dividends distributed from profits already taxed at the corporate level may be exempt from additional WHT for resident shareholders under certain conditions.
Tax Treaties Notes:
No US-Cambodia tax treaty. Cambodia taxes residents on foreign income only if remitted.
Retiree Tax Benefits:
Retirees often use the 'Ordinary Visa' for long stays. No tax on foreign income if kept offshore.
Cost Savings vs. U.S.:
Very low costs (e.g., $1,000/month affords a comfortable lifestyle). Healthcare quality varies.
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My Expat Taxes →☀️ Climate & Environment
Climate Zones:
Our proprietary index measuring annual average PM2.5 concentration. Lower is better (0-5 is good).
Our proprietary index for drinking water quality and sanitation. Higher is better.
Seasonal Variations:
Cambodia has a tropical monsoon climate with two distinct seasons: a rainy season from May to October and a dry season from November to April. The hottest months are typically March and April.
😊 Quality of Life
Cultural Amenities:
Museums & Cultural Institutions
The National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh showcases the region's rich cultural heritage.
The Reyum Institute of Arts and Culture is dedicated to the preservation of traditional and contemporary Cambodian art and culture.
Performing Arts
Cambodian classical dance and music are integral parts of its cultural identity.
Cultural Festivals
The country celebrates various cultural festivals, including the Khmer New Year and Water Festival.
Culinary Culture
Cambodian cuisine includes dishes like amok (curry) and lok lak (stir-fried beef), reflecting its rich culinary traditions.
🌐 Infrastructure & Connectivity
Our proprietary ranking of public transit accessibility and reliability.
Internet Reliability:
Cambodia provides improving internet connectivity with moderate speeds and expanding mobile infrastructure.
Speed & Quality: Fixed broadband averages 25-35 Mbps with growing fiber networks and strong 4G coverage in cities.
Availability: Good coverage in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, moderate rural connectivity through mobile networks.
Cost: Affordable pricing, typically $10-25/month for high-speed residential plans.
Reliability for Remote Work: Moderately reliable in urban areas, improving infrastructure supports growing digital economy.
Transportation Network:
Cambodia has a developing transportation network with ongoing infrastructure improvements and regional connectivity projects.
Roads: Road network is improving but many routes are still unpaved and challenging.
Rail: Limited rail network with recent rehabilitation efforts.
Domestic Travel: Domestic flights connect major cities; buses and boats on the Mekong provide additional transport options.
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Veepn →Frequently Asked Questions about Cambodia
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