Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cambodia vs Laos
Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Cambodia is approximately 6% cheaper than Laos overall, with a cost of living index of 25 vs 26 (NYC = 100 baseline, 2026 data). Rent is broadly similar between the two countries. Grocery prices are nearly identical. Local purchasing power is comparable.

Cambodia is 6% cheaper than Laos overall
$3,000 budget in Laos = $2,818/mo in Cambodia
Monthly saving ~$182/mo
Rent — Cambodia vs Laos ~$270/mo vs ~$280/mo
World Bank 2026GlobalCostData Research Updated April 2026NYC Index = 100
🇰🇭
Cambodia
24.8
CoL Index (NYC=100)
$298–$546/mo typical
Cheaper option
vs
🇱🇦
Laos
26.4
CoL Index (NYC=100)
$317–$581/mo typical
Cheaper country
Cambodia
6% less expensive
Cambodia GNI
$7.9k
per capita
Laos GNI
$9.2k
per capita
Cambodia Inflation
0.8%
annual rate
Laos Inflation
23.1%
annual rate
Expat Score A
4.4
/ 10
Expat Score B
3.1
/ 10

Side-by-Side Comparison

All indices: NYC = 100 baseline · Lower cost index = cheaper · ✓ = winner per metric

Cambodia Metric Laos
24.8 ✓
CoL Index ↓ lower = cheaper
26.4
8.4 ✓ ~$270/mo 1-bed city
Rent Index ↓ lower = cheaper
8.8 ~$280/mo 1-bed city
18.2 ✓ ~$75/mo monthly
Groceries ↓ lower = cheaper
19.2 ~$80/mo monthly
26.4 ✓ ~$5/meal per person
Restaurants ↓ lower = cheaper
27.6 ~$6/meal per person
$7.9k
GNI / Capita ↑ higher = wealthier
$9.2k ✓
0.8% ✓
Inflation Rate ↓ lower = more stable
23.1%
4.4 ✓
Expat Score ↑ higher = better
3.1
Cost of Living Comparison

Our Verdict: Cambodia vs Laos

Cambodia has a meaningful cost advantage — about 6% cheaper overall. A $3,000/month lifestyle in Laos costs approximately $2,818/month in Cambodia, saving ~$182/month.

Choose Cambodia if…

  • Maximising day-to-day cost savings
  • Lower rent — housing ~5% cheaper than Laos
  • More affordable dining out

Choose Laos if…

  • Higher local income levels ($9.2k GNI vs $7.9k)
  • Lifestyle, climate, or visa pathway fits your profile
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Frequently Asked Questions

Cambodia vs Laos cost of living

Is Cambodia cheaper than Laos?
Yes, Cambodia is approximately 6% cheaper than Laos based on the Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100). Cambodia scores 25 vs Laos at 26 on the overall index. In absolute terms, average monthly rent is around $168 in Cambodia versus $176 in Laos. Monthly grocery costs average $166 in Cambodia and $204 in Laos. 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 Laos?
Cambodia is about 6% cheaper than Laos overall. In practical terms, a $3,000/month budget in Laos is roughly equivalent to $2,818/month in Cambodia in terms of purchasing power — a saving of $182/month. Similarly, a $2,000/month lifestyle in Laos translates to around $1,879/month in Cambodia. Dining out in Cambodia is approximately 4% more affordable (Restaurant Index: Cambodia=26, Laos=28). These savings can compound significantly for long-term expats or retirees choosing Cambodia as their base.
How do rent costs compare between Cambodia and Laos?
Cambodia has lower average housing costs based on the Rent Index (Cambodia: 8.4, Laos: 8.8 — NYC = 100). In absolute terms, average monthly rent is around $168 in Cambodia versus $176 in Laos. 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 Laos?
Both Cambodia and Laos attract significant expat communities, but for different reasons. Cambodia edges ahead on our Expat Value Score (Cambodia scores 4.4, Laos scores 3.1). Cambodia offers lower day-to-day costs, which matters most for those on fixed incomes, remote salaries, or early retirement budgets. Laos has a higher GNI per capita ($9.2k 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%, Laos: 23.1%), 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.

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Sources: World Bank Open Data 2026 · GlobalCostData Research 2026 · OECD Statistics. Data verified April 2026. Not financial or legal advice.