Wondering how far your salary goes in Phnom Penh? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
What things cost
1-bed apartment (BKK1)USD 500–1,000 / mo
1-bed apartment (Toul Kork / Toul Tom Poung)USD 300–600 / mo
Meal, mid-range restaurantUSD 8–15
Local street mealUSD 1.50–3
Est. single-person monthlyUSD 700–1,200 (excl. rent)
Good to know
Population
~2.3 million (city proper)
Official language
Khmer (English widely used in business)
Currency
Riel (KHR) and US dollar, both in daily use
Working rate
~4,000 riel to USD 1, effectively fixed
Work week
Monday–Friday, often half-day Saturday
Power plug
Types A/C/G, 230V
Tipping
Not expected; rounding up is normal
Land ownership
Foreigners cannot own land — only strata units above the ground floor
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Phnom Penh checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.