Living in Phnom Penh: Rent, Utilities, and Internet

Rent and Accommodation

Rent in Cambodia can range from US$150 to US$800+ per month, depending on the property and location. Options include studio and one-bedroom apartments, terraced houses, condominiums, and villas.

Apartments can be serviced or non-serviced. Serviced apartments may include utilities, laundry, and cleaning, while non-serviced apartments usually require you to pay for rent and utilities separately.

You can also choose between fully furnished, semi-furnished, and unfurnished apartments. I live in a semi-furnished one-bedroom apartment that came with only a bed and air conditioning, so I had to buy everything else myself.

Electricity

Electricity typically costs around 730–1,000 riels (US$0.18–$0.25) per kWh, depending on the location. Apartments in commercial areas tend to have higher electricity rates than those in residential neighborhoods.

Water

Water usually costs around 400–2,200 riels (US$0.10–$0.55) per cubic meter, depending on the property. However, many rentals charge a fixed monthly fee instead.

In my apartment, I pay US$5 per month, regardless of how much water I use.

Internet and Mobile Data

Internet is sometimes included in the rent, but some apartments charge a separate fee. My landlord charges US$5 per month for internet.

If you need your own connection, popular providers include Mekongnet, Metfone, EZECOM, Smart, Sinet, and Cellcard. Home internet usually costs around US$10–$50 per month, depending on the provider and plan.

For a cheaper option, you can use mobile data. SIM cards are easy to find at Smart, Metfone, and Cellcard stores.

I use a Smart SIM card and subscribe to the Smart Laor plan for US$1.50 per 7 days, which includes 10 GB of data, 1,000 on-net minutes, and 1,000 SMS.