Cambodia vs Indonesia Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Cambodia is approximately 5% cheaper than Indonesia overall, with a cost of living index of 25 vs 26 (NYC = 100 baseline, 2026 data). Cambodia has notably lower rents (8% cheaper on the Rent Index). Grocery prices are nearly identical. Local purchasing power is comparable.
Cambodia is 5% cheaper than Indonesia overall
$3,000 budget in Indonesia =$2,851/mo in Cambodia
Monthly saving~$149/mo
Rent — Cambodia vs Indonesia~$270/mo vs ~$290/mo
World Bank 2026GlobalCostData ResearchUpdated April 2026NYC Index = 100
🇰🇭
Cambodia
24.8
CoL Index (NYC=100)
$298–$546/mo typical
Cheaper option
vs
🇮🇩
Indonesia
26.1
CoL Index (NYC=100)
$313–$574/mo typical
Cheaper country
Cambodia
5% less expensive
Cambodia GNI
$7.9k
per capita
Indonesia GNI
$16.0k
per capita
Cambodia Inflation
0.8%
annual rate
Indonesia Inflation
2.2%
annual rate
Expat Score A
4.4
/ 10
Expat Score B
1.6
/ 10
Side-by-Side Comparison
All indices: NYC = 100 baseline · Lower cost index = cheaper · ✓ = winner per metric
Cambodia
Metric
Indonesia
24.8 ✓
CoL Index↓ lower = cheaper
26.1
8.4 ✓~$270/mo 1-bed city
Rent Index↓ lower = cheaper
9.1 ~$290/mo 1-bed city
18.2 ✓~$75/mo monthly
Groceries↓ lower = cheaper
18.5 ~$80/mo monthly
26.4 ✓~$5/meal per person
Restaurants↓ lower = cheaper
33.6 ~$7/meal per person
$7.9k
GNI / Capita↑ higher = wealthier
$16.0k ✓
0.8% ✓
Inflation Rate↓ lower = more stable
2.2%
4.4 ✓
Expat Score↑ higher = better
1.6
Cost of Living Comparison
Our Verdict: Cambodia vs Indonesia
Cambodia has a meaningful cost advantage — about 5% cheaper overall. A $3,000/month lifestyle in Indonesia costs approximately $2,851/month in Cambodia, saving ~$149/month.
Choose Cambodia if…
Maximising day-to-day cost savings
Lower rent — housing ~8% cheaper than Indonesia
More affordable dining out
Choose Indonesia if…
Higher local income levels ($16.0k GNI vs $7.9k)
Lifestyle, climate, or visa pathway fits your profile
Enter your monthly budget in Indonesia to see the equivalent purchasing power in Cambodia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cambodia vs Indonesia cost of living
Is Cambodia cheaper than Indonesia?
Yes, Cambodia is approximately 5% cheaper than Indonesia based on the Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100). Cambodia scores 25 vs Indonesia at 26 on the overall index. In absolute terms, average monthly rent is around $168 in Cambodia versus $182 in Indonesia. Monthly grocery costs average $166 in Cambodia and $343 in Indonesia. That said, actual daily costs depend heavily on your city of residence, housing choice, and lifestyle — capital cities in both countries command a significant premium over smaller regional cities.
How much cheaper is Cambodia than Indonesia?
Cambodia is about 5% cheaper than Indonesia overall. In practical terms, a $3,000/month budget in Indonesia is roughly equivalent to $2,851/month in Cambodia in terms of purchasing power — a saving of $149/month. Similarly, a $2,000/month lifestyle in Indonesia translates to around $1,900/month in Cambodia. Dining out in Cambodia is approximately 21% more affordable (Restaurant Index: Cambodia=26, Indonesia=34). These savings can compound significantly for long-term expats or retirees choosing Cambodia as their base.
How do rent costs compare between Cambodia and Indonesia?
Cambodia has lower average housing costs based on the Rent Index (Cambodia: 8.4, Indonesia: 9.1 — NYC = 100). In absolute terms, average monthly rent is around $168 in Cambodia versus $182 in Indonesia. In both countries, city-centre apartments command a 30–50% premium over suburban equivalents. Expats consistently find the best rent-to-quality ratio by living 15–30 minutes from the city core. Local purchasing power is broadly similar.
Which country is better for expats, Cambodia or Indonesia?
Both Cambodia and Indonesia attract significant expat communities, but for different reasons. Cambodia edges ahead on our Expat Value Score (Cambodia scores 4.4, Indonesia scores 1.6). Cambodia offers lower day-to-day costs, which matters most for those on fixed incomes, remote salaries, or early retirement budgets. Indonesia has a higher GNI per capita ($16.0k vs $7.9k) — meaning average incomes are higher, which partly offsets the cost differences for locals. Climate, language accessibility, visa pathways, healthcare quality, and expat community size are equally decisive factors — budget alone rarely determines the right choice.
Can I live comfortably in Cambodia on $2,000/month?
With a cost of living index of 25 (NYC=100), Cambodia allows a $2,000/month budget to stretch very comfortably. A frugal single-person lifestyle — shared or suburban housing, home cooking, local transport — typically costs $223–$423/month. A comfortable lifestyle with a private 1-bedroom, regular dining out, and leisure runs $446–$846/month. Inflation is currently lower in Cambodia (Cambodia: 0.8%, Indonesia: 2.2%), which affects how purchasing power evolves over time. Expats from high-cost Western countries typically see their purchasing power increase significantly in Cambodia, particularly outside capital cities.