Cost of Living: Cambodia vs Singapore

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Cambodia and Singapore.

Data updated: October 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Cambodia is 88.2% cheaper than Singapore. The biggest difference is in Salaries And Financing, where costs are 91.6% lower. This means that for every $100 you spend in Singapore, you would spend about $12 in Cambodia for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Salaries And Financing 91.6%

Cambodia is 91.6% cheaper

Property Prices 91.0%

Cambodia is 91.0% cheaper

Rent Per Month 87.8%

Cambodia is 87.8% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 88.2%

Cambodia is 88.2% cheaper than Singapore

Most Expensive Categories

Is Cambodia cheaper than Singapore?

Yes, Cambodia is cheaper than Singapore

Overall, living costs in Cambodia are 88.2% lower than in Singapore.

Where Cambodia is cheaper:

  • Salaries And Financing 91.6% cheaper
  • Property Prices 91.0% cheaper
  • Rent Per Month 87.8% cheaper

Where Cambodia is more expensive:

No significant cost disadvantages found.

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Cambodia: 3.00 $ Singapore: 10.90 $
72.5% cheaper in Cambodia

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Cambodia: 411.67 $ Singapore: 3,140.74 $
86.9% cheaper in Cambodia

Monthly public transport pass

Cambodia: 10.60 $ Singapore: 93.46 $
88.7% cheaper in Cambodia

1 liter of milk

Cambodia: 2.12 $ Singapore: 3.01 $
29.6% cheaper in Cambodia

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Cambodia is indeed cheaper than Singapore. You would save approximately 88.2% on living expenses by choosing Cambodia over Singapore. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

88.2%

Cambodia is 88.2% cheaper than Singapore

Restaurants

53.1%

Cambodia is 53.1% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Markets

65.6%

Cambodia is 65.6% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Other Expenses

84.7%

Cambodia is 84.7% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Transportation

70.6%

Cambodia is 70.6% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Household Utilities

43.1%

Cambodia is 43.1% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Mobile and Internet

46.4%

Cambodia is 46.4% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Sports And Leisure

60.4%

Cambodia is 60.4% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Childcare

76.6%

Cambodia is 76.6% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Clothing And Shoes

51.5%

Cambodia is 51.5% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Rent Per Month

87.8%

Cambodia is 87.8% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Property Prices

91.0%

Cambodia is 91.0% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Salaries And Financing

91.6%

Cambodia is 91.6% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Cambodia Singapore Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 3.00 $ 10.90 $ 72.5%
Cambodia is 72.5% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 27.50 $ 77.88 $ 64.7%
Cambodia is 64.7% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 7.00 $ 7.79 $ 10.1%
Cambodia is 10.1% cheaper
Regular Cappuccino 2.29 $ 4.88 $ 53.1%
Cambodia is 53.1% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 0.86 $ 1.68 $ 48.8%
Cambodia is 48.8% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 0.74 $ 1.22 $ 39.3%
Cambodia is 39.3% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 0.73 $ 1.52 $ 52.0%
Cambodia is 52.0% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml) 3.25 $ 2.00 $ 62.5%
Cambodia is 62.5% more expensive
Imported Beer (330ml) 1.83 $ 2.49 $ 26.5%
Cambodia is 26.5% cheaper
Mid-Range Wine 8.26 $ 10.00 $ 17.4%
Cambodia is 17.4% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 2.05 $ 2.21 $ 7.2%
Cambodia is 7.2% cheaper
Milk (1L) 2.12 $ 3.01 $ 29.6%
Cambodia is 29.6% cheaper
Fresh Bread (500g) 1.71 $ 2.35 $ 27.2%
Cambodia is 27.2% cheaper
White Rice (1kg) 1.03 $ 2.92 $ 64.7%
Cambodia is 64.7% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 1.83 $ 3.35 $ 45.4%
Cambodia is 45.4% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 13.92 $ 19.37 $ 28.1%
Cambodia is 28.1% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 4.28 $ 11.15 $ 61.6%
Cambodia is 61.6% cheaper
Beef (1kg) 9.82 $ 15.21 $ 35.4%
Cambodia is 35.4% cheaper
Apples (1kg) 3.59 $ 4.57 $ 21.4%
Cambodia is 21.4% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 1.28 $ 2.97 $ 56.9%
Cambodia is 56.9% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 3.45 $ 4.51 $ 23.5%
Cambodia is 23.5% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 1.43 $ 2.71 $ 47.2%
Cambodia is 47.2% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 1.38 $ 2.39 $ 42.3%
Cambodia is 42.3% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 1.13 $ 2.20 $ 48.6%
Cambodia is 48.6% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 1.61 $ 1.86 $ 13.4%
Cambodia is 13.4% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 10.60 $ 93.46 $ 88.7%
Cambodia is 88.7% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 2.00 $ 13.05 $ 84.7%
Cambodia is 84.7% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 1.25 $ 1.56 $ 19.9%
Cambodia is 19.9% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 1.00 $ 3.58 $ 72.1%
Cambodia is 72.1% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 1.00 $ 0.78 $ 28.2%
Cambodia is 28.2% more expensive
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 4.25 $ 16.28 $ 73.9%
Cambodia is 73.9% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 1.15 $ 2.22 $ 48.2%
Cambodia is 48.2% cheaper
New Economy Car 41,500.00 $ 140,192.38 $ 70.4%
Cambodia is 70.4% cheaper
New Mid-Range Car 37,580.00 $ 128,887.54 $ 70.8%
Cambodia is 70.8% cheaper
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 90.09 $ 158.22 $ 43.1%
Cambodia is 43.1% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 6.03 $ 18.54 $ 67.5%
Cambodia is 67.5% cheaper
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 24.23 $ 37.95 $ 36.2%
Cambodia is 36.2% cheaper
Gym Membership 42.25 $ 115.77 $ 63.5%
Cambodia is 63.5% cheaper
Tennis Court (Weekend) 8.00 $ 12.22 $ 34.5%
Cambodia is 34.5% cheaper
Movie Ticket 5.00 $ 11.68 $ 57.2%
Cambodia is 57.2% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 328.89 $ 1,272.43 $ 74.2%
Cambodia is 74.2% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 6,938.89 $ 29,780.50 $ 76.7%
Cambodia is 76.7% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 23.15 $ 80.91 $ 71.4%
Cambodia is 71.4% cheaper
1 Summer Dress 22.11 $ 42.93 $ 48.5%
Cambodia is 48.5% cheaper
1 Pair of Running Shoes 70.62 $ 105.33 $ 33.0%
Cambodia is 33.0% cheaper
1 Pair of Business Shoes 56.50 $ 126.28 $ 55.3%
Cambodia is 55.3% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 411.67 $ 3,140.74 $ 86.9%
Cambodia is 86.9% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 246.64 $ 2,267.71 $ 89.1%
Cambodia is 89.1% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 750.85 $ 6,205.41 $ 87.9%
Cambodia is 87.9% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 461.01 $ 3,723.55 $ 87.6%
Cambodia is 87.6% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 1,983.33 $ 22,697.92 $ 91.3%
Cambodia is 91.3% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 1,415.00 $ 15,076.91 $ 90.6%
Cambodia is 90.6% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 336.37 $ 4,151.48 $ 91.9%
Cambodia is 91.9% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 11.09 3.17 249.8%
Cambodia is 249.8% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to Singapore. Enter your monthly expenses in Cambodia to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between Cambodia and Singapore goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for Cambodia vs Singapore

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

Cambodia

Singapore

  • Lower grocery costs suggest different shopping and consumption patterns.
  • Lower fuel costs indicate different transportation infrastructure.

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.