Phnom Penh Cost of Living 2026
Cambodia · Big city — far cheaper than the US average. Updated September 2026 Not just the exchange rate: how cheap it feels on your own income, and where a price turns into a rip-off.
Phnom Penh price table & rip-off thresholds
| Item | Base price | Normal range | Rip-off? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $3$3 | $2.1 – $4.8 | $5.76+ |
| Street food1 item | $1.4$1.4 | $0.84 – $2.52 | $3.02+ |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $10$10 | $7 – $16 | $19.2+ |
| Bakery & dessert1 item | $2.3$2.3 | $1.38 – $4.14 | $4.97+ |
| Coffeeone cup | $2.5$2.5 | $1.5 – $4 | $4.8+ |
| Fruit juiceone cup | $1.5$1.5 | $0.9 – $2.7 | $3.24+ |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $1.3$1.3 | $0.78 – $2.47 | $2.96+ |
| Bottled water | $0.5$0.5 | $0.35 – $1 | $1.2+ |
| Beerone bottle | $1.5$1.5 | $0.9 – $2.55 | $3.06+ |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $3.9$3.9 | $2.34 – $6.63 | $7.96+ |
| Taxi5 km in town | $3$3 | $2.4 – $4.8 | $5.76+ |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $1.5$1.5 | $1.05 – $2.7 | $3.24+ |
| Transitone ride | $0.5$0.5 | $0.45 – $0.65 | $0.78+ |
| Scooter rentalper day | $7$7 | $4.9 – $11.2 | $13.44+ |
| Hotel night3-star | $35$35 | $21 – $56 | $67.2+ |
| Laundry | $1$1 | $0.7 – $1.6 | $1.92+ |
| SIM card1 week data | $5$5 | $3.5 – $8.5 | $10.2+ |
| Haircutcut | $2.8$2.8 | $1.68 – $5.04 | $6.05+ |
| Massage1 hour | $8$8 | $5.6 – $12.8 | $15.36+ |
| Half-day tourper person | $25$25 | $17.5 – $40 | $48+ |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $10$10 | $8 – $14 | $16.8+ |
Base prices start from public cost-of-living data; once 3+ traveler reports come in, the app blends in what travelers actually paid. Rate $1 per USD, for reference.
Live prices reported in Phnom Penh
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FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Phnom Penh for a month?
A short-term studio rental (about $1,133) plus food, coffee, transport and a SIM (about $496) comes to roughly $1,629 a month. A local long-term lease (studio $500) brings it down a lot.
What is a realistic daily budget for Phnom Penh?
A mid-range room (about $36.1 a night) plus three meals, a coffee and two taxi rides is about $67.6 a day. Hostels and local eateries bring it well under that.
How do I know if a taxi in Phnom Penh is overcharging?
For 5 km in the city, expect $2.4 – $4.8. Anything above $5.76 is suspicious. The app's Price Check lets you pick the distance and gives a verdict in seconds.
How much is a coffee or a local meal in Phnom Penh?
Coffee about $2.5 ($2.5), a local meal about $3 ($3), dinner at a mid-range restaurant about $10.