Phnom Penh wins overall by ~240% (COL index)
Cost of living: Durham vs Phnom Penh (2026)
A $75,000 salary in Durham buys roughly what $22,059 does in Phnom Penh (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$26,863/yr
Favoring Phnom Penh for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $2,239/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~7 months and still keep ~$269/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Durham North Carolina | Phnom Penh Phnom Penh | Who wins | Your impact at $75K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,400 | $260Wins | Phnom wins −$1,140/mo | $13,680/yr saves in Phnom |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,750 | $350Wins | Phnom wins −$1,400/mo | $16,800/yr saves in Phnom |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,300 | $580Wins | Phnom wins −$1,720/mo | $20,640/yr saves in Phnom |
| Median home price | $390K | — | — | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 98 | — | — | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14 | $3Wins | Phnom wins −$11/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $58 | $18Wins | Phnom wins −$40/mo | $480/yr saves in Phnom |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $82 | — | — | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10 | — | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $148 | — | — | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $155 | $60Wins | Phnom wins −$95/mo | $1,140/yr saves in Phnom |
| Internet/mo | $62 | $40Wins | Phnom wins −$22/mo | $264/yr saves in Phnom |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $72K | — | — | — |
| State income tax% | 4.5% | 0.0%Wins | Phnom wins -4.5 pp | $3,375/yr saves in Phnom |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.5%Wins | 10.0% | Durham wins +2.5 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00 | — | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $42 | $20Wins | Phnom wins −$22/mo | $264/yr saves in Phnom |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.50 | — | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 102 | 30Wins | Phnom wins -72 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 36 | 52Wins | Phnom wins +16 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$3,384/yr tax difference into cash back
Phnom Penh fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Phnom Penh.
High-yield savings
Park ~$16,800/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Durham cheaper than Phnom Penh?
No. Phnom Penh is 240% cheaper than Durham based on overall cost of living indices (30 vs 102, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Durham vs Phnom Penh?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Durham is $1,750/month and in Phnom Penh is $350/month. Durham is more expensive by 400%.
How much do I need to earn in Phnom Penh to match a $75,000 salary in Durham?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $22,059/year in Phnom Penh to match a $75,000 salary in Durham. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Durham or Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 4.5%. Phnom Penh has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Durham to Phnom Penh?
It depends on your priorities. Phnom Penh offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Durham ↔ Phnom Penh
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