Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026
Yes, Phnom Penh is 13% cheaper than Cape Town based on our cost of living index. Phnom Penh has a COLI of 24.8, while Cape Town has a COLI of 28.4. 13% cheaper
Overall, Phnom Penh is approximately 13% cheaper than Cape Town based on our cost of living index. Cape Town has a COLI of 28.4 (ranked #88 of 182 cities), while Phnom Penh has a COLI of 24.8 (ranked #97).
When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Cape Town averages $650/month compared to $450/month in Phnom Penh. That makes Phnom Penh approximately 31% cheaper for rent alone.
Phnom Penh has lower total deductions (0.0%) compared to Cape Town (21.4%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Phnom Penh. Cambodia is a tax-free jurisdiction, which is a significant financial advantage. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.
Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.
Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.
If you earn R 1,366,717 in Cape Town, you would need approximately $65,493 in Phnom Penh to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 13% less thanks to lower cost of living.
Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:
| Job Title | Cape Town (ZAR) | Phnom Penh (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor (General) | R 931,554 | $44,640 |
| Software Engineer | R 439,901 | $21,080 |
| Product Manager | R 517,530 | $24,800 |
| Lawyer | R 517,530 | $24,800 |
| Data Scientist | R 491,654 | $23,560 |
| Marketing Manager | R 372,622 | $17,856 |
| Teacher | R 248,414 | $11,904 |
| Nurse | R 300,167 | $14,384 |
Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.
| Neighborhood | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Clifton | 1.40x (+40%) |
| Camps Bay | 1.35x (+35%) |
| Constantia | 1.22x (+22%) |
| Sea Point | 1.18x (+18%) |
| City Bowl | 1.15x (+15%) |
| Neighborhood | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| BKK1 | 1.30x (+30%) |
| Tonle Bassac | 1.22x (+22%) |
| Daun Penh (Riverside) | 1.15x (+15%) |
| BKK2 | 1.10x (+10%) |
| Toul Tom Poung (Russian Market) | 1.05x (+5%) |
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Open Salary ConverterCape Town is more expensive overall. Cape Town has a COLI of 28.4 while Phnom Penh has a COLI of 24.8, making Phnom Penh approximately 13% cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living as R 1,366,717 in Cape Town, you would need approximately $65,493 in Phnom Penh.
Average one-bedroom rent in Cape Town is $650/month compared to $450/month in Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh has lower rent by approximately 31%.
Phnom Penh has lower total deductions (0.0%) compared to Cape Town (21.4%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Phnom Penh. Cambodia is a tax-free jurisdiction, which is a significant financial advantage.
Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.
Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.
Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.