Retire Modestly in Phnom Penh, KH (2026)
Small apartment, cook at home, public transit, minimal travel. In Phnom Penh (COL 30), this costs $800/month — a $22K less than the US average.
Monthly budget breakdown
Estimated monthly expenses for a modest retirement in Phnom Penh (COL-adjusted from national baseline).
| Category | Monthly | Annual | % of budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $264 | $3,168 | 33% |
| Food | $120 | $1,440 | 15% |
| Healthcare | $112 | $1,344 | 14% |
| Transport | $96 | $1,152 | 12% |
| Leisure | $112 | $1,344 | 14% |
| Misc | $96 | $1,152 | 12% |
| Total | $800 | $9,600 | 100% |
How long to save $240K?
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 | 13 yrs | Age 43 |
| $2,000/mo | 8 yrs | Age 38 |
| $3,000/mo | 6 yrs | Age 36 |
| $5,000/mo | 4 yrs | Age 34 |
| $8,000/mo | 3 yrs | Age 33 |
Phnom Penh vs US average — Modest retirement
Other retirement tiers in Phnom Penh
Frequently asked questions
How much does a modest retirement cost in Phnom Penh?
A modest retirement in Phnom Penh costs approximately $9,600/year or $800/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 $240K.
How long will it take to save $240K for retirement in Phnom Penh?
Saving $2,000/month at a 7% average annual return would take roughly 8 years to accumulate $240K. At $3,000/month, it would take about 6 years. These estimates assume consistent investing in a diversified portfolio.
What is the biggest expense in a modest retirement in Phnom Penh?
Housing is the largest expense at roughly 33% of the budget ($264/month). Healthcare ($112/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