Retire Comfortably in Phnom Penh, KH (2026)
1BR apartment, dining out occasionally, one modest vacation/year. In Phnom Penh (COL 30), this costs $1,300/month — a $36K less than the US average.
Monthly budget breakdown
Estimated monthly expenses for a comfortable retirement in Phnom Penh (COL-adjusted from national baseline).
| Category | Monthly | Annual | % of budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $429 | $5,148 | 33% |
| Food | $195 | $2,340 | 15% |
| Healthcare | $182 | $2,184 | 14% |
| Transport | $156 | $1,872 | 12% |
| Leisure | $182 | $2,184 | 14% |
| Misc | $156 | $1,872 | 12% |
| Total | $1,300 | $15,600 | 100% |
How long to save $390K?
Time to reach your nest egg target investing at 7% annual return (S&P 500 historical avg).
| Monthly savings | Years to retire | Retirement age (start 30) |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000/mo | 17 yrs | Age 47 |
| $2,000/mo | 11 yrs | Age 41 |
| $3,000/mo | 9 yrs | Age 39 |
| $5,000/mo | 6 yrs | Age 36 |
| $8,000/mo | 4 yrs | Age 34 |
Phnom Penh vs US average — Comfortable retirement
Other retirement tiers in Phnom Penh
Frequently asked questions
How much does a comfortable retirement cost in Phnom Penh?
A comfortable retirement in Phnom Penh costs approximately $15,600/year or $1,300/month — based on a 30 cost-of-living index (US avg = 100). Using the 4% safe withdrawal rule, you need a nest egg of about $390K.
How long will it take to save $390K for retirement in Phnom Penh?
Saving $2,000/month at a 7% average annual return would take roughly 11 years to accumulate $390K. At $3,000/month, it would take about 9 years. These estimates assume consistent investing in a diversified portfolio.
What is the biggest expense in a comfortable retirement in Phnom Penh?
Housing is the largest expense at roughly 33% of the budget ($429/month). Healthcare ($182/month) is the second-largest category. KH has no state income tax, which reduces your overall tax burden in retirement.
4% safe withdrawal rule · 7% annualized return assumption · COL-adjusted from BLS data · Q1 2026 estimates