$50K in Charleston = $15,464 in Phnom Penh
Your $50K salary in Charleston (COL 97) has the same purchasing power as $15,464 in Phnom Penh (COL 30). Phnom Penh is cheaper — your money goes 69% further there.
Budget breakdown — $50K in both cities
What $50K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Charleston $50K | Phnom Penh $50K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $2,902 | $3,160 |
| 1BR rent | $1,900 | $350 |
| Groceries | $376 | $380 |
| Transport | $55 | $150 |
| Utilities | $162 | $60 |
| Internet | $63 | $40 |
| Left after essentials | $346/month | $2,180/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $50K in Charleston equivalent to in Phnom Penh?
$50K in Charleston (COL index 97) has the same purchasing power as $15,464 in Phnom Penh (COL index 30). That's 69% less than your current salary.
If I move from Charleston to Phnom Penh keeping my $50K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $50K after moving to Phnom Penh, you'd have $1,834 more per month after core expenses — because Phnom Penh is cheaper than Charleston.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $50K × (30 ÷ 97) = $15,464. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Charleston to Phnom Penh
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only