Phnom Penh vs Siem Reap: Cost, Visas & Safety
Living in Phnom Penh vs Siem Reap: Phnom Penh runs about $910/mo all-in vs $850/mo in Siem Reap — Siem Reap is cheaper. See visas, safety, internet, and…
Phnom Penh and Siem Reap cost about the same to live in, Siem Reap scores higher for safety, and internet is comparable in both. Which one wins depends on your income, passport, and what you value most.
How they compare
- Cost of living: Siem Reap is about $60/mo cheaper — $850/mo all-in vs $910/mo in Phnom Penh (one person).
- Rent: lower in Siem Reap ($350/mo vs $450/mo for a typical place).
- Safety: Siem Reap rates higher (65/100 for Phnom Penh vs 72/100 for Siem Reap).
- Internet: both solid for remote work (68/100 vs 70/100).
- Climate: comparable year-round (80/100 vs 80/100).
- Visa: easier to move to Phnom Penh — Phnom Penh's process is rated Easy, Siem Reap's Very Easy.
- Retirement/long-stay: both have options — Phnom Penh via the Cambodia Retirement (ER) Visa, Siem Reap via the Cambodia ER Retirement E-Class Extension.
- Families: Siem Reap rates safer for family life (60/100 vs 80/100 family safety).
- Local salaries: higher in Phnom Penh (~$500/mo vs ~$350/mo average) — relevant if you'd work locally rather than remotely.
- Work-life balance: better rated in Siem Reap (78/100 vs 92/100).
Frequently asked questions
Is Phnom Penh or Siem Reap cheaper to live in?
Phnom Penh costs about $910/month all-in for one person; Siem Reap costs about $850/month. That makes Siem Reap roughly $60/mo cheaper, though rent, food, and lifestyle choices shift the total.
How much cheaper is Siem Reap than Phnom Penh?
About $60/month for a single person — $850/mo in Siem Reap vs $910/mo in Phnom Penh, covering rent, food, transport, healthcare, utilities, and everyday extras.
Which is safer, Phnom Penh or Siem Reap?
Siem Reap scores higher on Jonzy's safety index (65/100 for Phnom Penh 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, Phnom Penh or Siem Reap?
For connectivity, both are solid (68/100 vs 70/100). On climate, they're comparable (80/100 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, Phnom Penh or Siem Reap?
Phnom Penh's visa process is rated Easy (about 1 weeks); 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 Phnom Penh 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.