Phnom Penh vs Buenos Aires — side-by-side
Cost of living: Phnom Penh vs Buenos Aires (2026)
A $75,000 salary in Phnom Penh buys roughly what $75,000 does in Buenos Aires (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Slide to match your household — estimates combine take-home, rent, and groceries.
Estimated annual swing
+$600/yr
Favoring Phnom Penh for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $50/mo in Phnom Penh, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still increase your fun budget.
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 | Phnom Penh Phnom Penh | Buenos Aires Buenos Aires | Who wins | Your impact at $75K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $260Better | $280 | Phnom wins +$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Phnom |
| 1BR rent/mo | $350Wins | $400 | Phnom wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Phnom |
| 2BR rent/mo | $580Wins | $660 | Phnom wins +$80/mo | $960/yr saves in Phnom |
| Median home price | — | — | — | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | — | — | — | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $3Wins | $4 | Phnom wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $18Better | $20 | Phnom wins +$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | — | — | — | — |
| Gas price/gal | — | — | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | — | — | — | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $60 | $40Wins | Buenos wins −$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Buenos |
| Internet/mo | $40 | $20Wins | Buenos wins −$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Buenos |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | — | — | — | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Better | 0.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 10.0%Wins | 21.0% | Phnom wins +11.0 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | — | — | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $20Better | $22 | Phnom wins +$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | — | — | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 30Better | 30 | — | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 52 | 72Wins | Buenos wins +20 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
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
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
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.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
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
What is the average rent in Phnom Penh vs Buenos Aires?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Phnom Penh is $350/month and in Buenos Aires is $400/month. Phnom Penh is cheaper by 13%.
How much do I need to earn in Buenos Aires to match a $75,000 salary in Phnom Penh?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in Buenos Aires to match a $75,000 salary in Phnom Penh. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Phnom Penh or Buenos Aires?
Buenos Aires has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. Buenos Aires 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 Phnom Penh to Buenos Aires?
It depends on your priorities. Both cities have similar overall costs. 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: Phnom Penh ↔ Buenos Aires
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