Cambodia vs Singapore Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Cambodia is approximately 69% cheaper than Singapore overall, with a cost of living index of 25 vs 79 (NYC = 100 baseline, 2026 data). Cambodia has notably lower rents (80% cheaper on the Rent Index). Food shopping in Cambodia is around 71% cheaper. Residents of Singapore generally enjoy stronger local purchasing power.
Cambodia is 69% cheaper than Singapore overall
$3,000 budget in Singapore =$939/mo in Cambodia
Monthly saving~$2,061/mo
Rent — Cambodia vs Singapore~$270/mo vs ~$1,370/mo
World Bank 2026GlobalCostData ResearchUpdated April 2026NYC Index = 100
🇰🇭
Cambodia
24.8
CoL Index (NYC=100)
$298–$546/mo typical
Cheaper option
vs
🇸🇬
Singapore
79.2
CoL Index (NYC=100)
$950–$1,742/mo typical
Cheaper country
Cambodia
69% less expensive
Cambodia GNI
$7.9k
per capita
Singapore GNI
$126.2k
per capita
Cambodia Inflation
0.8%
annual rate
Singapore Inflation
2.4%
annual rate
Expat Score A
4.4
/ 10
Expat Score B
0.8
/ 10
Side-by-Side Comparison
All indices: NYC = 100 baseline · Lower cost index = cheaper · ✓ = winner per metric
Cambodia
Metric
Singapore
24.8 ✓
CoL Index↓ lower = cheaper
79.2
8.4 ✓~$270/mo 1-bed city
Rent Index↓ lower = cheaper
42.8 ~$1,370/mo 1-bed city
18.2 ✓~$75/mo monthly
Groceries↓ lower = cheaper
62.4 ~$260/mo monthly
26.4 ✓~$5/meal per person
Restaurants↓ lower = cheaper
68.3 ~$14/meal per person
$7.9k
GNI / Capita↑ higher = wealthier
$126.2k ✓
0.8% ✓
Inflation Rate↓ lower = more stable
2.4%
4.4 ✓
Expat Score↑ higher = better
0.8
Cost of Living Comparison
Our Verdict: Cambodia vs Singapore
Cambodia is significantly cheaper than Singapore (69% overall). A $3,000 budget in Singapore buys $939/month equivalent in Cambodia — a saving of ~$2,061/month that compounds fast for long-stay expats.
Enter your monthly budget in Singapore to see the equivalent purchasing power in Cambodia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cambodia vs Singapore cost of living
Is Cambodia cheaper than Singapore?
Yes, Cambodia is approximately 69% cheaper than Singapore based on the Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100). Cambodia scores 25 vs Singapore at 79 on the overall index. In absolute terms, average monthly rent is around $168 in Cambodia versus $856 in Singapore. Grocery prices in Cambodia run about 71% lower (Groceries Index: Cambodia=18, Singapore=62). 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 Singapore?
Cambodia is about 69% cheaper than Singapore overall. In practical terms, a $3,000/month budget in Singapore is roughly equivalent to $939/month in Cambodia in terms of purchasing power — a saving of $2,061/month. Similarly, a $2,000/month lifestyle in Singapore translates to around $626/month in Cambodia. Dining out in Cambodia is approximately 61% more affordable (Restaurant Index: Cambodia=26, Singapore=68). These savings can compound significantly for long-term expats or retirees choosing Cambodia as their base.
How do rent costs compare between Cambodia and Singapore?
Cambodia has lower average housing costs based on the Rent Index (Cambodia: 8.4, Singapore: 42.8 — NYC = 100). In absolute terms, average monthly rent is around $168 in Cambodia versus $856 in Singapore. 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 Singapore benefit from stronger local purchasing power (LPP index: Cambodia=13, Singapore=88).
Which country is better for expats, Cambodia or Singapore?
Both Cambodia and Singapore attract significant expat communities, but for different reasons. Cambodia edges ahead on our Expat Value Score (Cambodia scores 4.4, Singapore scores 0.8). Cambodia offers lower day-to-day costs, which matters most for those on fixed incomes, remote salaries, or early retirement budgets. Singapore has a higher GNI per capita ($126.2k 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%, Singapore: 2.4%), 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.