Kampot vs Siem Reap: Cost, Visas & Safety
Living in Kampot vs Siem Reap: Kampot runs about $810/mo all-in vs $850/mo in Siem Reap — Kampot is cheaper. See visas, safety, internet, and climate…
Kampot and Siem Reap cost about the same to live in, Kampot scores higher for safety, and Siem Reap has the better-rated internet. Which one wins depends on your income, passport, and what you value most.
How they compare
- Cost of living: near-identical — $810/mo in Kampot vs $850/mo in Siem Reap all-in for one person.
- Rent: similar in both — around $350/mo in Kampot and $350/mo in Siem Reap.
- Safety: Kampot rates higher (78/100 for Kampot vs 72/100 for Siem Reap).
- Internet: Siem Reap scores better for remote work (58/100 vs 70/100).
- Climate: comparable year-round (84/100 vs 80/100).
- Visa: both rated Very Easy to enter — check long-stay and residency options for your passport.
- Retirement/long-stay: Siem Reap offers the Cambodia ER Retirement E-Class Extension; Kampot has no comparable retirement visa.
- Expat community: larger and more established in Siem Reap (66/100 vs 74/100).
- Families: Siem Reap rates safer for family life (74/100 vs 80/100 family safety).
- Local salaries: higher in Siem Reap (~$350/mo vs ~$300/mo average) — relevant if you'd work locally rather than remotely.
- Sunshine: Siem Reap logs about 280 sunny days a year vs 250 in Kampot.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kampot or Siem Reap cheaper to live in?
Kampot costs about $810/month all-in for one person; Siem Reap costs about $850/month. They land within $40/mo of each other, so lifestyle and neighbourhood matter more than the city you pick.
How much cheaper is Kampot than Siem Reap?
Barely — the two cities are within $40/month of each other all-in, so the cheaper choice comes down to your neighbourhood and lifestyle, not the city.
Which is safer, Kampot or Siem Reap?
Kampot scores higher on Jonzy's safety index (78/100 for Kampot vs 72/100 for Siem Reap). Both are catalog averages — feelings of safety also vary by neighbourhood and time of day.
Which is better for remote work and digital nomads, Kampot or Siem Reap?
For connectivity, Siem Reap rates higher (58/100 vs 70/100). On climate, they're comparable (84/100 vs 80/100). Jonzy scores both against your income, passport, and priorities so you see which fits your setup.
Which is easier to get a visa for, Kampot or Siem Reap?
Kampot's visa process is rated Very Easy (about no formal wait); Siem Reap's is rated Very Easy (about no formal wait). Your passport changes the answer — run a visa check for both in Jonzy.
Can I compare Kampot and Siem Reap for my situation?
Yes, open Jonzy, enter your income and passport, and get personalised Life Upgrade Scores for both cities. You can also share a side-by-side comparison link with a partner.