$PlaybookChiang Mai
Thailand
80 Mbps
5/10
9/10
6/10
Phnom Penh
Cambodia
Southeast Asia's most underrated capital — ultra-cheap, surprisingly connected, and raw in the best way
ModerateStart Playbook
Nomad Score
7.3/10
Cost Tier
Budget ($)
Internet
80 Mbps
Safety
6.5/10
Walkability
6/10
English-Friendly
7/10
About Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the kind of city that gets under your skin in ways you don't fully understand until you've left. Cambodia's capital sits at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers and moves at a pace that feels genuinely unhurried — a quality increasingly rare in Southeast Asia's more polished nomad hubs. For nomads on a tight budget, it's hard to beat: studio apartments for USD 200–350/month, street food for USD 1–2, and a coworking scene that has developed significantly over the past decade. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek memorial are essential and sobering — Khmer Rouge history is omnipresent and should be engaged with seriously. The city rewards those who go beyond the riverfront expat strip into the local neighborhoods.
Monthly Budget Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs in USD for a single digital nomad.
Rent (Studio)$350
Coworking$70
Groceries$150
Eating Out$160
Transport$40
Phone/SIM$10
Gym$20
Total Monthly$800
Visa & Stay
Visa-Free for US Citizens
No
Max Stay (Visa-Free)
30 days
Digital Nomad Visa
Not Available
Climate
Climate Type
tropical
Best Months
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Avoid Months
Sep, Oct
September and October are peak monsoon months — heavy daily rainfall, flooding in low-lying areas, and the Mekong running high enough to briefly reverse the Tonlé Sap river's flow (a natural phenomenon, but logistically disruptive).
Timezone
ICT (UTC+7)
Currency
US Dollar / Cambodian Riel (USD)
Language
Khmer
Continent
Asia
Topics & Vibes
historycoworkingfoodriverculturenightlifephotography
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Frequently Asked Questions — Phnom Penh
Common questions from digital nomads researching Phnom Penh.
Is Phnom Penh good for digital nomads?
Yes — Phnom Penh scores 7.3/10 on Settled Nomad's nomad index, making it an very good choice for remote workers. Southeast Asia's most underrated capital — ultra-cheap, surprisingly connected, and raw in the best way. The city is rated "moderate" difficulty for new arrivals, with a 7/10 English-friendliness score and 6.5/10 for safety. Internet averages 80 Mbps. Overall, Phnom Penh is the kind of city that gets under your skin in ways you don't fully understand until you've left.
How much does it cost to live in Phnom Penh as a digital nomad?
A typical single digital nomad can expect to spend around $800/month in Phnom Penh. The budget breaks down as: studio apartment rent ~$350, coworking space ~$70, groceries ~$150, eating out ~$160, local transport ~$40, phone/SIM ~$10, and gym ~$20. Overall, Phnom Penh is a budget-friendly destination. Costs vary depending on neighbourhood, lifestyle, and whether you cook at home.
Do US citizens need a visa to work remotely in Phnom Penh?
US citizens require a visa before entering Cambodia. Check with the nearest consulate for current visa requirements.
What is the internet like in Phnom Penh?
Internet speeds in Phnom Penh average around 80 Mbps, which is excellent — fast enough for video conferencing, large file uploads, and all standard remote work. Dedicated coworking spaces reliably deliver faster and more stable connections than cafes or short-term apartments. If you plan to work from home, confirm fibre availability before signing a lease — co-working memberships are a reliable fallback during slower periods.
Is Phnom Penh safe for digital nomads?
Phnom Penh has a safety rating of 6.5/10 on our scale — generally safe for nomads who stay informed and practice standard precautions — research neighbourhoods before booking and avoid displaying expensive equipment. As with any city, basic precautions apply: use ride-hailing apps rather than unmarked taxis, don't leave laptops unattended in cafes, and be aware of your surroundings in busy tourist areas.
What is the best time of year to visit Phnom Penh?
The best months to base yourself in Phnom Penh are November, December, January, February, March. The climate type is tropical. We recommend avoiding September, October — september and October are peak monsoon months — heavy daily rainfall, flooding in low-lying areas, and the Mekong running high enough to briefly reverse the Tonlé Sap river's flow (a natural phenomenon, but logistically disruptive)..
What currency is used in Phnom Penh and how should I handle money?
Phnom Penh uses the US Dollar / Cambodian Riel (USD). Since USD is the local currency, US-based nomads face zero conversion friction. Keep a mix of card and cash — smaller vendors and markets often prefer cash.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the best digital nomad city for me?
Start by filtering on your non-negotiables: if budget is tight, sort by cost and look at cities under $2,000/month (Chiang Mai, Medellín, Tbilisi). If fast internet is critical for video calls, filter by internet speed score. If you're on a US passport in Europe, check Schengen status — cities in Georgia, Albania, or the UK give you unlimited stay without the 90-day limit. Use the quiz to get 3 personalized picks based on your specific priorities.
What is the 'nomad score' shown on each city?
The nomad score is a 0–10 composite rating built from verified data: internet speed (25%), cost of living vs. global median (25%), safety index (20%), English proficiency (15%), and coworking availability + visa friendliness (15%). A score of 7+ indicates a city that works well for most nomads. The score is recalculated quarterly as underlying data refreshes.
Which digital nomad cities have the best internet?
The consistently highest-rated cities for internet speed are: Tallinn, Estonia (average 100+ Mbps, fiber everywhere), Seoul, South Korea (gigabit fiber standard), Chiang Mai, Thailand (fast and cheap, coworkings have 200+ Mbps), Lisbon, Portugal (fiber widely available, 100–500 Mbps in most apartments), and Mexico City (100+ Mbps in Roma/Condesa neighborhoods). For video-heavy work, any of these cities provides reliable upload speeds for HD streaming.
Can I live in these cities without speaking the local language?
Most top-ranked nomad cities have high English proficiency — Lisbon, Tallinn, Amsterdam, Prague, and Bangkok all have strong English-speaking nomad communities and service sectors. Cities with lower English scores (Tokyo, Medellín, Chiang Mai) still work well for nomads because the expat community is large, coworkings operate in English, and translation apps handle most daily situations. Every city guide includes an English proficiency rating and practical notes on language.