Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Cambodia Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Cambodia Property Pack
Yes, Siem Reap is a genuinely good place to live in 2026 if you want affordable daily costs, warm weather year-round, and the unique experience of living near the UNESCO-listed Angkor temples.
This guide covers everything from realistic monthly budgets and visa options to which neighborhoods expats actually choose and what salary you can expect in Siem Reap in 2026.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest prices, regulations, and on-the-ground realities for foreigners living in Siem Reap.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Siem Reap.
Is Siem Reap a good place to live in 2026?
Is quality of life getting better or worse in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of early 2026, quality of life in Siem Reap is slowly improving thanks to better infrastructure and a more diverse food and cafe scene, though income stability remains unpredictable for anyone tied to tourism.
The most noticeable improvement in Siem Reap over the past two years has been the growth of international restaurants, coworking spaces, and modern apartment buildings catering specifically to long-stay foreigners and remote workers.
However, the persistent challenge in Siem Reap remains the heavy dependence on tourism cycles, meaning that when visitor numbers drop (as they did in early 2025), local jobs, rental demand, and business activity can slow down quickly.
Are hospitals good in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of early 2026, hospitals in Siem Reap are adequate for routine care and minor emergencies, but they generally do not match Western European or North American standards for complex treatments or surgeries.
The two hospitals expats most commonly recommend in Siem Reap are Royal Angkor International Hospital for general adult care and Angkor Hospital for Children for pediatric needs, both offering English-speaking staff and reasonable facilities.
A standard doctor consultation in Siem Reap in 2026 typically costs between 80,000 and 140,000 Cambodian Riel, which works out to roughly 20 to 35 USD or 18 to 32 EUR, though specialist visits can run higher.
Private health insurance is strongly recommended for expats living in Siem Reap because out-of-pocket costs add up quickly and serious cases often require evacuation to Phnom Penh or Bangkok, which can be extremely expensive without coverage.
Are there any good international schools in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of early 2026, Siem Reap has a small but genuine selection of international schools, with roughly five to seven options ranging from well-established institutions to smaller community schools.
The most reputable international schools among expat families in Siem Reap include International School of Siem Reap (ISSR), Australia Pacific International School, and Treehouse International School, all offering English-medium instruction.
Annual tuition fees at international schools in Siem Reap in 2026 typically range from about 12 million to 48 million Cambodian Riel, which translates to roughly 3,000 to 12,000 USD or 2,800 to 11,000 EUR depending on the grade level and school reputation.
Waitlists at popular international schools in Siem Reap are generally short (often zero to eight weeks), but ISSR notes that enrollment depends on class size limits, so popular grades can fill up; public schools are not typically chosen by expat families due to language barriers and variable resources.
Is Siem Reap a dangerous place in 2026?
As of early 2026, Siem Reap is generally safe for residents and expats, with most risks being opportunistic rather than violent, making it comparable to other mid-sized Southeast Asian tourist cities.
The most common safety concerns expats should know about in Siem Reap are bag snatching (especially from motorbikes), phone theft in crowded tourist areas, and occasional scams targeting foreigners, plus a real but localized risk of unexploded ordnance in remote rural areas outside the city.
The neighborhoods generally considered safest for expats in Siem Reap include Wat Bo, Sala Kamreuk, and Taphul Village, all of which have good lighting, established expat communities, and easy access to amenities.
Women can generally live alone safely in Siem Reap, though common precautions include choosing accommodations with security gates, avoiding poorly lit roads late at night, and using reputable transport services rather than walking alone after dark.
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How much does everyday life cost in Siem Reap in 2026?
What monthly budget do I need to live well in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of early 2026, a single person can live comfortably in Siem Reap on about 5.6 million to 7.2 million Cambodian Riel per month, which works out to roughly 1,400 to 1,800 USD or 1,300 to 1,650 EUR, covering a nice apartment, air conditioning, eating out, and local travel.
For a more modest but still decent lifestyle in Siem Reap, a single person can manage on around 3.6 million to 4.8 million Riel monthly (900 to 1,200 USD or 830 to 1,100 EUR), though this means a simpler apartment and cooking at home more often.
A more comfortable or upscale lifestyle in Siem Reap, with a modern villa, regular restaurant meals, and weekend trips, typically requires 7.2 million to 10 million Riel per month (1,800 to 2,500 USD or 1,650 to 2,300 EUR) for a single person or couple.
In Siem Reap specifically, housing and electricity together often take the largest share of a monthly budget because rent varies dramatically by location and running air conditioning during the hot season can add 50 to 100 USD to your electricity bill alone.
What is the average income tax rate in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of early 2026, a typical middle-income earner in Siem Reap (earning around 2,000 to 3,000 USD monthly) can expect an effective salary tax rate of roughly 8 to 12 percent if classified as a tax resident, though the exact amount depends on allowances and the exchange rate.
Cambodia's salary tax for residents uses progressive brackets starting at 0 percent for income up to 1.5 million Riel monthly, then climbing through 5, 10, 15, and 20 percent bands for higher earnings, while non-residents pay a flat 20 percent rate on all employment income.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Cambodia versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
What kind of foreigners actually live in Siem Reap in 2026?
Where do most expats come from in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of early 2026, the largest groups of expats living in Siem Reap tend to come from Western countries (United States, United Kingdom, France, Australia) along with significant numbers from neighboring Asian countries like Vietnam, China, and South Korea.
Siem Reap's total foreign resident population is relatively small compared to Phnom Penh, likely numbering in the low thousands, though exact figures are hard to pin down because many expats rotate through on long-term tourist visas rather than formal residency.
Western expats are drawn to Siem Reap mainly for the low cost of living, the relaxed lifestyle near the Angkor temples, and opportunities in tourism, education, or NGO work, while Asian visitors often come for business or as part of the broader tourism economy.
The expat population in Siem Reap is a genuine mix of working professionals (teachers, hospitality managers, NGO staff), remote workers and digital nomads, small business owners, and a smaller group of retirees seeking an affordable, warm-weather lifestyle.
Where do most expats live in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of early 2026, the top neighborhoods where expats concentrate in Siem Reap are Wat Bo (sometimes called Wat Bo Village), Sala Kamreuk, Taphul Village, Svay Dangkum, and Sla Kram, all offering a balance of convenience, safety, and housing options.
These neighborhoods attract expats because they combine walkability to restaurants and cafes with quieter residential streets, and areas like Sala Kamreuk specifically offer larger villa-style homes popular with families needing space and proximity to international schools.
An emerging area gaining attention from expats in Siem Reap is the zone along Charles de Gaulle Boulevard and newer developments on the eastern side of town, where modern apartments and gated communities are being built at competitive prices.
Are expats moving in or leaving Siem Reap in 2026?
As of early 2026, Siem Reap is seeing modest net inflows of expats, though the numbers fluctuate with tourism seasons and are sensitive to regional news about Cambodia's regulatory environment and scam-related headlines.
The main factor drawing expats to Siem Reap right now is the combination of very affordable living costs, the unique lifestyle near Angkor, and the growing infrastructure for remote workers including faster internet and more coworking spaces.
The main factor causing some expats to leave Siem Reap recently has been income instability tied to tourism downturns, plus concerns about stricter visa enforcement and negative press coverage of scam operations elsewhere in Cambodia affecting the country's reputation.
Compared to similar destinations in Southeast Asia like Chiang Mai or Da Nang, Siem Reap remains smaller and more niche, attracting expats specifically interested in Cambodian culture and the Angkor experience rather than those seeking large established expat communities.
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What paperwork do I need to move to Siem Reap in 2026?
What visa options are popular in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of early 2026, the three most popular visa types for expats moving to Siem Reap are the Tourist e-Visa (for initial entry), the Ordinary "E-class" visa (for longer stays, work, or business), and extensions of the E-visa for those staying beyond the initial period.
The most commonly used path for expats is the Ordinary (E) visa, which requires a passport valid for at least six months, a recent photo, and the visa fee; you can get it on arrival or apply in advance, then extend it in-country for 6 or 12 months.
Cambodia does not currently offer a specific digital nomad visa, but many remote workers use the Ordinary (E) visa with extensions, which allows long-term stays without requiring formal local employment, making it a practical workaround for location-independent workers.
Tourist visas are valid for 30 days (extendable once for another 30 days), while Ordinary visas can be extended for 6 or 12 months at a time, with renewals handled through local immigration offices or visa agents, typically requiring just a few days of processing.
How long does it take to get residency in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of early 2026, most expats in Siem Reap do not pursue formal permanent residency but instead maintain long-term status through renewable visa extensions, which can be processed in as little as a few days to one week with proper documentation.
Factors that can speed up visa processing in Siem Reap include using a reputable local visa agent, having all documents ready and correctly formatted, and applying outside of peak tourist seasons when immigration offices are less busy; delays can occur if paperwork is incomplete or during national holidays.
Cambodia does offer a path to permanent residency after seven years of continuous legal residence, but in practice most expats simply maintain rolling visa extensions because the formal residency process requires substantial documentation, investment thresholds, or special circumstances.
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Cambodia. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
How hard is it to find a job in Siem Reap in 2026?
Which industries are hiring the most in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of early 2026, the top three industries hiring in Siem Reap are tourism and hospitality (hotels, restaurants, tour operators), education (international schools and language centers), and NGO or development sector organizations working on health, heritage, or community programs.
Getting hired in Siem Reap without speaking Khmer is realistic in tourism-facing roles, teaching positions, and some NGO jobs where English is the working language, though knowing even basic Khmer significantly helps for roles involving local staff management or government interactions.
The types of roles most accessible to foreign job seekers in Siem Reap include hotel and restaurant management, English teaching at international schools or private academies, tour guiding for specialized groups, and program coordination for nonprofits working in the Angkor region.
What salary ranges are common for expats in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of early 2026, typical expat salaries in Siem Reap range from about 4.8 million to 14 million Cambodian Riel per month (1,200 to 3,500 USD or 1,100 to 3,200 EUR), depending heavily on the industry, role seniority, and whether the position includes housing or other benefits.
Entry-level or mid-level expat positions in Siem Reap, such as junior teachers or hospitality supervisors, typically pay around 4.8 million to 8 million Riel monthly (1,200 to 2,000 USD or 1,100 to 1,850 EUR), which covers a comfortable local lifestyle but not extensive savings.
Senior or specialized expat roles in Siem Reap, such as school principals, hotel general managers, or NGO country directors, can pay 12 million to 16 million Riel or more monthly (3,000 to 4,000+ USD or 2,750 to 3,700+ EUR), often with added benefits like housing allowances.
Employers in Siem Reap sometimes sponsor work visas for foreign hires, but many expect candidates to already be in-country with valid visa extensions sorted, so it is wise to clarify visa support during the interview process rather than assuming it will be provided.
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What's daily life really like for expats in Siem Reap right now?
What do expats love most about living in Siem Reap right now?
Expats in Siem Reap consistently praise three things: the remarkably low cost of living, the unique experience of having the Angkor temples as a weekend backyard, and the small-city feel with surprisingly good international food and cafe options.
The lifestyle benefit most frequently praised is the pace of life, where you can genuinely slow down, skip traffic-heavy commutes, and build a daily routine around things you enjoy rather than just work obligations.
From a practical standpoint, expats appreciate that housing is affordable, internet has improved significantly in recent years, and you can access quality coffee shops, gyms, and coworking spaces without paying capital-city prices.
Culturally, many expats find the Cambodian community in Siem Reap warm and welcoming, the temple-rich surroundings genuinely inspiring, and the tight-knit expat community easy to plug into for friendships and professional networking.
What do expats dislike most about life in Siem Reap right now?
The top complaints from expats in Siem Reap are the income instability that comes with a tourism-dependent economy, the high electricity costs when running air conditioning through the hot season, and the limited options for serious medical care requiring travel to Phnom Penh or Bangkok.
The daily inconvenience that frustrates expats most in Siem Reap is the combination of heat and dust, especially during dry season from November to April, which makes walking and cycling less pleasant and keeps many people indoors during midday hours.
The bureaucratic headache that causes the most frustration is the visa and work permit system, which relies heavily on relationships with agents and can feel unpredictable, with rules that seem to shift without clear public announcements.
Most expats find these frustrations manageable rather than deal-breaking, especially if they plan ahead for medical contingencies, budget for electricity spikes, and accept that administrative processes simply work differently in Cambodia than in their home countries.
What are the biggest culture shocks in Siem Reap right now?
The biggest culture shocks expats experience when moving to Siem Reap include the realization that paperwork and official processes work through relationships and agents rather than clear online systems, the dramatic impact tourism seasons have on the whole city's energy, and the slower pace of getting things done.
The social norm that surprises newcomers most is the Cambodian communication style, which tends to avoid direct confrontation or saying "no" outright, meaning expats need to learn to read indirect signals and not interpret vague answers as firm commitments.
The aspect of daily routines that takes longest to adjust to in Siem Reap is the heat-driven schedule, where many locals start activities early in the morning, rest during the hottest midday hours, and resume in the cooler late afternoon, which can clash with Western 9-to-5 expectations.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Cambodia compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
Can I buy a home as a foreigner in Siem Reap in 2026?
Can foreigners legally own property in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreign property ownership in Siem Reap is allowed but restricted, meaning foreigners cannot directly own land but can own qualifying condominium units under Cambodia's foreign ownership framework.
The main restriction is that foreigners can only own apartments or condos above the ground floor in buildings where foreign ownership does not exceed 70 percent of total units, and direct land ownership is prohibited for non-Cambodians.
In practice, foreigners in Siem Reap can purchase condo units (strata title), but for houses or villas with land, they typically use long-term leasehold arrangements, nominee structures (which carry legal risk), or form a majority Cambodian-owned company, all of which require careful legal guidance.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing the whole property buying process for foreigners in Siem Reap.
What is the average price per m² in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average price per square meter for residential property in Siem Reap is roughly 4.2 million to 10.6 million Cambodian Riel (1,050 to 2,650 USD or 970 to 2,450 EUR), with city center apartments at the higher end and properties outside the center significantly cheaper.
Property prices in Siem Reap have been relatively stable to slightly soft over the past two to three years, reflecting a broader market correction across Cambodia following the pandemic period, though prices in popular expat neighborhoods have held up better than outlying areas.
Also, you'll find our latest property market analysis about Siem Reap here.
Do banks give mortgages to foreigners in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of early 2026, mortgages for foreigners in Siem Reap are available but limited, with most banks being cautious about lending to non-residents and typically requiring substantial down payments and locally documented income.
Banks that have been known to consider mortgage applications from foreigners in Cambodia include ABA Bank, ACLEDA Bank, and Canadia Bank, though policies vary and approval is never guaranteed for non-citizens.
Typical mortgage conditions for foreigners in Cambodia include down payments of 30 to 50 percent, interest rates ranging from about 8 to 12 percent annually, and maximum loan terms of 15 to 20 years, though terms vary significantly by bank and applicant profile.
To qualify for a mortgage in Cambodia, foreigners typically need a valid long-term visa, proof of stable income (ideally locally sourced or well-documented foreign income), bank statements, employment verification, and sometimes a relationship history with the lending bank.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Cambodia.
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What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Siem Reap, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| National Bank of Cambodia | Cambodia's central bank publishing official inflation and financial data. | We used NBC's inflation and exchange rate data to validate 2026 price estimates. We also used it to cross-check private cost-of-living numbers. |
| Numbeo (Siem Reap) | Transparent crowdsourced cost database with visible update dates. | We used Numbeo as a primary signal for rent, food, and daily costs in Siem Reap. We triangulated these figures against official inflation data. |
| Cambodia Ministry of Tourism | Official government tourism statistics with documented methodology. | We used tourism data to explain why Siem Reap's economy follows seasonal cycles. We also used it to contextualize job market and rental demand patterns. |
| UK Foreign Office Travel Advice | Government risk assessment updated regularly with specific warnings. | We used UK advice to summarize real safety risks for expats in Siem Reap. We combined it with U.S. sources to avoid single-government bias. |
| U.S. State Department | Government travel advisory with location-specific risk guidance. | We used U.S. advisories for safety notes relevant to Siem Reap province. We triangulated with UK and OSAC reporting for balanced coverage. |
| Australian Embassy Cambodia | Government-curated medical guidance for citizens abroad. | We used it to set realistic healthcare expectations and insurance recommendations. We combined it with named hospital options in Siem Reap. |
| International School of Siem Reap | Established international school with published curriculum and policies. | We used ISSR as a primary example of international schooling in Siem Reap. We referenced their admissions page for waitlist and capacity information. |
| PwC Tax Summaries (Cambodia) | Professional tax reference that mirrors official regulations. | We used PwC to explain salary tax in plain language. We cross-checked bracket thresholds against official government data. |
| Knight Frank Cambodia Report | Major global real estate consultancy with documented research methods. | We used Knight Frank to anchor Cambodia-wide property price trends. We localized to Siem Reap using city-level data where available. |
| UNESCO World Heritage (Angkor) | Official UNESCO listing describing Angkor's significance and footprint. | We used UNESCO to explain what makes Siem Reap unique as an expat destination. We framed daily life around the temple proximity factor. |
| Cambodia Official e-Visa Portal | Government portal for visa issuance confirmed by embassy sources. | We used the official portal to describe the standard entry route for newcomers. We explicitly avoided third-party lookalike sites. |
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Cambodia. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
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