Phnom Penh vs Vientiane — Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Which city is cheaper, safer, and better for remote workers? Here's the data.
NoodlePants Verdict — generated from live data
Vientiane edges out Phnom Penh on affordability with a Cost of Living index of 32 vs 34 (USA=100; very affordable vs very affordable). Vientiane scores higher on safety (null/100), and Vientiane wins on internet at ~—. Overall, Phnom Penh takes the Nomad Score crown with null/100 — best for .
* Some figures are country averages — full city-level data coming soon.Pro members get neighbourhood-level breakdowns.
Metric
Phnom Penh
Vientiane
Avg Rent 1BR (city centre)
US$550
US$450
Avg Rent 1BR (outside centre)
US$380
US$310
Cost of Living (USA=100)
34
32
Safety Score
—
—
Internet Speed
—
—
Nomad Score
—
—
Healthcare Score
—
—
Digital Nomad Visa
Not available
Not available
Who is each city for?
Phnom Penh is better for…
See the Cambodia country profileVientiane is better for…
See the Laos country profileSee full city data — neighbourhood breakdowns, internet speeds & coworking scores
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