Student budget in Cambodia
Monthly budget for a student in Cambodia: ~600-1,000 USD/month — shared housing 200-350 USD, street food/canteen, local transport, modest leisure.
- Cost
- 600 USD – 1 000 USD Phnom Penh estimate: shared housing, street food/canteen, local transport, modest leisure. Excludes university tuition fees.
- Duration
- Indicative estimates — adjust annually, subject to change
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Reading
- 6 min
TL;DR
- A student lives in Phnom Penh on ~600-1,000 USD/month in budget mode — the lightest expat budget, far below the family or the retiree.
- The main lever is shared housing (200-350 USD) combined with street food / canteen and local transport.
- Most spending is in USD; markets and tuk-tuks are paid in riel (KHR) (see the cost-of-living guide).
Typical monthly budget — student in Phnom Penh
Estimates for a student in budget mode (excluding tuition). Each line links to the guide that details and sources the amounts.
| Item | Estimate/month | Detailed in |
|---|---|---|
| Room in shared housing | 200-350 USD | Cost of living · Renting |
| Utilities (water, electricity, basic internet) | 30-60 USD | Cost of living |
| Food (street food + canteen + home cooking) | 120-220 USD | Cost of living |
| Local transport (tuk-tuk apps, bike, motorbike) | 30-70 USD | Cost of living |
| SIM / data | 5-15 USD | Cost of living |
| Modest leisure (coffee, sport, outings) | 80-200 USD | Cost of living |
Total: ~600-1,000 USD/month, excluding university tuition. The low end assumes budget shared housing and few expat outings.
Budget mode, and what is not counted
A student reaches the lowest budget of the expat profiles because they combine shared housing, street food and local transport — exactly the “local mode” described in the cost-of-living guide. For reference, the “budget backpacker / nomad” profile in that guide runs around 700-1,000 USD/month: a student sits there, or a notch below.
This budget does not include:
- University tuition, which varies widely by institution and programme.
- The student / long-stay visa: depending on your situation, see the visa overview in the cost-of-living guide.
- Health insurance: cheaper than for a senior, but not to be skipped.
How to optimise
- Favour shared housing over a studio: it is the most compressible item (see the renting guide).
- Eat local: street food and canteens cost a fraction of an expat restaurant (see the cost-of-living guide).
- Get around by bike or motorbike, or group trips on tuk-tuk apps.
- Limit the “expat bubble”: Western cafés and bars push the bill up fast.
- Cook with market produce, paid in riel — far cheaper than the European supermarket.
- Compare Siem Reap: 20-30% cheaper than Phnom Penh, worth it if your course allows (see the cost-of-living guide).
FAQ
How much per month to study in Cambodia?
~600-1,000 USD/month in budget mode (excluding tuition), with shared housing and mostly local food — consistent with the budget profile in the cost-of-living guide.
Can you live on less than 600 USD/month?
It is possible very close to the average Cambodian lifestyle (cheap shared housing, street food, almost no outings), but uncomfortable over time. Most students aim for 700-900 USD/month.
Is tuition included?
No. This budget covers daily living only. University fees vary widely by institution and are added on top.
Is the student budget the lowest of the expat profiles?
Yes. It is well below the retiree’s (~2,500-4,000 USD/month) and the family’s (~5,000-9,000 USD/month), thanks to no schooling and shared housing.
Is Siem Reap cheaper?
Yes, 20-30% cheaper than Phnom Penh on housing, food and services (see the cost-of-living guide).
Sources (3)
Every fact in this guide comes from official documents or government sites. An access date is recorded for each source.