Cost of Living in Cambodia for English Teachers
Real numbers, real budgets. How far your teaching salary goes in 2026.
Three Budget Levels
Your lifestyle in Cambodia depends on your priorities. Here are three realistic monthly budgets based on real teacher experiences.
Budget
$700/mo
Shared apartment, mostly local food, walking or cycling. Comfortable but modest.
Comfortable
$1,000/mo
Own apartment, mix of local and Western food, rented motorbike. Most teachers land here.
Premium
$1,500/mo
Nice apartment with pool, eating out regularly, gym membership, weekend trips.
Build Your Own Budget
Use our interactive Cost Calculator to create a personalised monthly budget based on your lifestyle preferences and the city you're moving to.
Open Cost CalculatorRent & Housing
Rent is your biggest expense and varies by city and area. Phnom Penh is the most expensive, but in return you get the best infrastructure, restaurants, and social scene.
Phnom Penh: $200-$500/month for a furnished studio or one-bedroom. BKK1 ($350-$500), Russian Market area ($250-$400), Toul Kork ($200-$350).
Siem Reap: $150-$350/month. Cheaper than PP, with a smaller expat community.
Sihanoukville: $200-$400/month. Prices have risen with development, but the beach lifestyle is the draw.
Tip
Use GlobeScraper Rentals to browse 30,000+ listings across 7 cities and compare prices before you arrive.
Food & Drink
Local Khmer food is incredibly cheap and delicious. A plate of rice with meat and vegetables from a street stall costs $1.50-$3. Western food is more expensive but still reasonable by international standards.
Local meals: $1.50-$3 per meal
Western restaurants: $5-$12 per meal
Coffee: $1-$3 (iced coffee is a way of life)
Beer: $0.75-$2 for a local draught
Most teachers spend $150-$250/month on food, eating a mix of local and Western meals. Cooking at home saves money but isn't as common since eating out is so cheap.
Transport
Most teachers either rent a motorbike ($50-$80/month) or use ride-hailing apps like PassApp and Grab. Tuk-tuks are also available but cost more.
Motorbike rental: $50-$80/month (Honda Dream or Honda Click)
PassApp/Grab: $1-$3 per trip within the city
Tuk-tuk: $2-$5 per trip
Fuel (motorbike): $15-$25/month
Get weekly Cambodia tips
Budget hacks, salary updates, and honest advice from someone living it.
Salary vs Expenses
The average English teacher in Cambodia earns $1,000-$1,500/month. With a comfortable budget of $1,000/month for expenses, you're looking at saving anywhere from $0 to $500 per month depending on your salary.
Teachers at international schools earn $1,500-$2,500/month and can save significantly more. Private tutoring on the side ($15-$25/hour) is a popular way to boost income.
Bottom Line
Cambodia isn't a place to get rich, but it's a place where your money goes far. Most teachers live comfortably and still have money for weekend trips around Southeast Asia.
Compare: Cambodia vs Your Home Country
Want to see how Cambodia stacks up against the UK, USA, or South Africa? Our salary comparison tool shows real disposable income comparisons.
Ready to plan your move?
Check out our other guides or start browsing apartments.