Cambodia vs Philippines Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Cambodia is approximately 18% cheaper than Philippines overall, with a cost of living index of 25 vs 30 (NYC = 100 baseline, 2026 data). Cambodia has notably lower rents (26% cheaper on the Rent Index). Food shopping in Cambodia is around 20% cheaper. Residents of Philippines generally enjoy stronger local purchasing power.
Cambodia is 18% cheaper than Philippines overall
$3,000 budget in Philippines =$2,464/mo in Cambodia
Monthly saving~$536/mo
Rent — Cambodia vs Philippines~$270/mo vs ~$365/mo
World Bank 2026GlobalCostData ResearchUpdated April 2026NYC Index = 100
🇰🇭
Cambodia
24.8
CoL Index (NYC=100)
$298–$546/mo typical
Cheaper option
vs
🇵🇭
Philippines
30.2
CoL Index (NYC=100)
$362–$664/mo typical
Cheaper country
Cambodia
18% less expensive
Cambodia GNI
$7.9k
per capita
Philippines GNI
$13.3k
per capita
Cambodia Inflation
0.8%
annual rate
Philippines Inflation
3.2%
annual rate
Expat Score A
4.4
/ 10
Expat Score B
3.0
/ 10
Side-by-Side Comparison
All indices: NYC = 100 baseline · Lower cost index = cheaper · ✓ = winner per metric
Cambodia
Metric
Philippines
24.8 ✓
CoL Index↓ lower = cheaper
30.2
8.4 ✓~$270/mo 1-bed city
Rent Index↓ lower = cheaper
11.4 ~$365/mo 1-bed city
18.2 ✓~$75/mo monthly
Groceries↓ lower = cheaper
22.8 ~$95/mo monthly
26.4 ✓~$5/meal per person
Restaurants↓ lower = cheaper
31.5 ~$6/meal per person
$7.9k
GNI / Capita↑ higher = wealthier
$13.3k ✓
0.8% ✓
Inflation Rate↓ lower = more stable
3.2%
4.4 ✓
Expat Score↑ higher = better
3.0
Cost of Living Comparison
Our Verdict: Cambodia vs Philippines
Cambodia is significantly cheaper than Philippines (18% overall). A $3,000 budget in Philippines buys $2,464/month equivalent in Cambodia — a saving of ~$536/month that compounds fast for long-stay expats.
Choose Cambodia if…
Maximising day-to-day cost savings
Lower rent — housing ~26% cheaper than Philippines
Enter your monthly budget in Philippines to see the equivalent purchasing power in Cambodia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cambodia vs Philippines cost of living
Is Cambodia cheaper than Philippines?
Yes, Cambodia is approximately 18% cheaper than Philippines based on the Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100). Cambodia scores 25 vs Philippines at 30 on the overall index. In absolute terms, average monthly rent is around $168 in Cambodia versus $228 in Philippines. Monthly grocery costs average $166 in Cambodia and $246 in Philippines. 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 Philippines?
Cambodia is about 18% cheaper than Philippines overall. In practical terms, a $3,000/month budget in Philippines is roughly equivalent to $2,464/month in Cambodia in terms of purchasing power — a saving of $536/month. Similarly, a $2,000/month lifestyle in Philippines translates to around $1,642/month in Cambodia. Dining out in Cambodia is approximately 16% more affordable (Restaurant Index: Cambodia=26, Philippines=32). These savings can compound significantly for long-term expats or retirees choosing Cambodia as their base.
How do rent costs compare between Cambodia and Philippines?
Cambodia has lower average housing costs based on the Rent Index (Cambodia: 8.4, Philippines: 11.4 — NYC = 100). In absolute terms, average monthly rent is around $168 in Cambodia versus $228 in Philippines. 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. Residents of Philippines benefit from stronger local purchasing power (LPP index: Cambodia=13, Philippines=25).
Which country is better for expats, Cambodia or Philippines?
Both Cambodia and Philippines attract significant expat communities, but for different reasons. Cambodia edges ahead on our Expat Value Score (Cambodia scores 4.4, Philippines scores 3.0). Cambodia offers lower day-to-day costs, which matters most for those on fixed incomes, remote salaries, or early retirement budgets. Philippines has a higher GNI per capita ($13.3k 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%, Philippines: 3.2%), 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.