Living in Phnom Penh
Cambodia · tropical
Phnom Penh is a big city of roughly 2,100,000 people inland in Cambodia. The climate is tropical. It keeps a balanced mix of locals and visitors and is considered very safe. A typical month of living costs around $850. Healthcare is reasonable, and the internet is generally reliable. People come here for history, food and eating out, nightlife.
Worth knowing: Techo International Airport. Starlink and satellite internet cannot be used in this country.
Phnom Penh at a glance: cost, climate, safety
Who tends to love living in Phnom Penh
- Making a budget stretch further
- Feeling safe day to day
- A genuinely good food scene
- Raising a family
- Anyone into food and eating out
All parameters
💉 Childhood vaccines: Recommended, never required
No national law requires it. The programme is free, and what pushes parents is public health messaging, not a statute.
If you skip them: Nothing.
Exemptions: Not needed.
Source: Georgetown AMP EID, survey of national legislation, 2024
➖ Popularity & prices: Steady
Accommodation prices have moved about +20% in the last 5 years.
Estimates, for orientation only.
🔭 Where this place is heading
Today’s data. Tap a year to see where it is heading.
⚠️ The downsides of living in Phnom Penh
- •Malaria is present, mostly in rural areas and the wet season.
- •Rabies risk from stray dogs, think twice before petting animals.
- •Tap water isn't reliably drinkable, budget for filtered or bottled.
- •Air quality: PM2.5 averages ~22 µg/m³ (WHO guideline is 5).
Health, air (WHO PM2.5), water & crime figures are rough country-level estimates, verify for your case.
Where is Phnom Penh?
₿ Spend Bitcoin around Phnom Penh
Open the Bitcoin merchant maps for this area, cafés, shops and ATMs that accept Bitcoin.
Merchants: BTC Map, from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Events and meetups: Club Orange.
Questions, answered
How much does it cost to live in Phnom Penh, Cambodia?
A typical month in Phnom Penh costs around $850, covering rent and everyday expenses for one person. It is an estimate meant for comparing places, not for budgeting exactly.
Is Phnom Penh, Cambodia safe?
Arcadia rates personal safety in Phnom Penh at 4 out of 5, which is good.
What is the internet like in Phnom Penh?
Internet in Phnom Penh is rated 3 out of 5 for remote work, which is reasonable. Starlink is not available in this country.
What is the weather like in Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh has a tropical climate.
Is healthcare good in Phnom Penh?
Healthcare in Phnom Penh is rated 3 out of 5 overall, which is reasonable. Public healthcare is 1/5 and private healthcare 2/5.
How easy is it to move to Cambodia?
Arcadia rates the ease of getting residency in Cambodia at 5 out of 5, which is excellent. The place page lists the visa routes that apply and which depend on your passport.
Is Phnom Penh actually right for you?
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