Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026
Yes, Phnom Penh is 21% cheaper than San José (CR) based on our cost of living index. Phnom Penh has a COLI of 24.8, while San José (CR) has a COLI of 31.2. 21% cheaper
Overall, Phnom Penh is approximately 21% cheaper than San José (CR) based on our cost of living index. Phnom Penh has a COLI of 24.8 (ranked #97 of 182 cities), while San José (CR) has a COLI of 31.2 (ranked #80).
When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Phnom Penh averages $450/month compared to $550/month in San José (CR). That makes Phnom Penh approximately 18% cheaper for rent alone.
Phnom Penh has lower total deductions (0.0%) compared to San José (CR) (11.2%), 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 $75,000 in Phnom Penh, you would need approximately ₡47,745,822 in San José (CR) to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 21% more due to higher cost of living.
Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:
| Job Title | Phnom Penh (USD) | San José (CR) (CRC) |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor (General) | $44,640 | ₡28,418,313 |
| Software Engineer | $21,080 | ₡13,419,759 |
| Product Manager | $24,800 | ₡15,787,952 |
| Lawyer | $24,800 | ₡15,787,952 |
| Data Scientist | $23,560 | ₡14,998,554 |
| Marketing Manager | $17,856 | ₡11,367,325 |
| Teacher | $11,904 | ₡7,578,217 |
| Nurse | $14,384 | ₡9,157,012 |
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 |
|---|---|
| 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%) |
| Neighborhood | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Escazú | 1.28x (+28%) |
| Santa Ana | 1.22x (+22%) |
| Rohrmoser | 1.12x (+12%) |
| Barrio Escalante | 1.10x (+10%) |
| Los Yoses | 1.08x (+8%) |
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Open Salary ConverterSan José (CR) is more expensive overall. Phnom Penh has a COLI of 24.8 while San José (CR) has a COLI of 31.2, making Phnom Penh approximately 21% cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living as $75,000 in Phnom Penh, you would need approximately ₡47,745,822 in San José (CR).
Average one-bedroom rent in Phnom Penh is $450/month compared to $550/month in San José (CR). Phnom Penh has lower rent by approximately 18%.
Phnom Penh has lower total deductions (0.0%) compared to San José (CR) (11.2%), 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.