Can I Afford to Live in Phnom Penh vs Madison on $50K?

Here's how a $50K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Phnom Penh, KH
$3,160/mo take-home
Rent: $350/mo (11% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Madison, WI
$2,840/mo take-home
Rent: $1,650/mo (58% of take-home)
Difficult

Monthly budget breakdown

Phnom Penh
KH
Madison
WI
Monthly take-home (est.)
$3,160Best ✓
$2,840
1BR rent
$350Best ✓
$1,650
Groceries (est.)
$380Best ✓
$384
Transport (est.)
$150
$62Best ✓
Utilities
$60Best ✓
$162
Internet
$40Best ✓
$63
Left after essentials
$2,180/month
$519/month
Phnom Penh (Phnom Penh) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Madison (WI rate: 7.7%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $50K a good salary in Phnom Penh?

At $50K/year in Phnom Penh, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,160. With 1BR rent around $350/month, rent takes up 11% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $50K a good salary in Madison?

At $50K/year in Madison, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,840. With 1BR rent around $1,650/month, rent takes up 58% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Which city is more affordable on a $50K salary?

Phnom Penh leaves you with more money after core expenses — $2,180/month vs $519/month in Madison.

Can I afford to live alone in Phnom Penh on $50K?

Yes. At $50K in Phnom Penh, rent takes 11% of your take-home, leaving $2,180/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Phnom Penh vs Madison

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See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only