HEAD-TO-HEAD
Cambodia vs Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is 0% cheaper than Cambodia overall — $0 less per month for a comfortable lifestyle. Here's how they compare across 13 metrics.
Sri Lanka is cheaper overall — you'll save about $0/month (0%) versus Cambodia for a mid-range lifestyle. Across our 13 cost & quality metrics, Sri Lanka won 11 of them.
Annual savings: $0. Over three years of residency, that's $0 saved — potentially enough to cover a down payment or early retirement runway.
Cambodia at a glance
Cambodia's business visa is the easiest permanent-stay hack in Asia — renew indefinitely, no interviews. USD is used everywhere, $0.50 draft beer is standard, and Phnom Penh has a growing expat scene.
Sri Lanka at a glance
Sri Lanka rebounded from its 2022 economic crisis with bargain prices — a beachfront villa in Unawatuna runs $600/month, and the south coast surf towns are emerging as quieter Bali alternatives.
Side-by-Side Breakdown
Green cell = the cheaper or better value for that metric. Prices shown in USD.
Pros & Cons
Cambodia
✅ Pros
- USD is unofficial currency (no exchange)
- Easiest long-term visa in SE Asia
- Cheap drinks ($0.50 draft beer)
- Angkor Wat in your backyard
⚠️ Cons
- Limited nomad community outside Phnom Penh
- Infrastructure behind Thailand/Vietnam
- Air pollution
Sri Lanka
✅ Pros
- Teardrop island with beaches, mountains, jungle
- English widely spoken
- Ceylon tea country
- Lower crowds than Bali
⚠️ Cons
- Economic crisis recovery ongoing
- Limited digital nomad infrastructure
- Rainy seasons vary by coast
Visas & Practical Info
Cambodia
Sri Lanka
Total Cost Over Time
How much would you save choosing Sri Lanka? Enter months of stay:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambodia or Sri Lanka cheaper?
Sri Lanka is cheaper — about $0/month less than Cambodia for a mid-range lifestyle (0% cheaper overall). On an annual basis, you'd save roughly $0 by choosing Sri Lanka.
How much does rent cost in Cambodia vs Sri Lanka?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs $400 in Cambodia and $380 in Sri Lanka. Outside the center, rent drops to $230 in Cambodia and $220 in Sri Lanka.
Which has a better digital nomad visa — Cambodia or Sri Lanka?
Cambodia: Business visa (E-visa) is easy and renewable indefinitely. Sri Lanka: 30-day ETA, extendable; no nomad visa yet. Neither has a dedicated digital nomad visa — check standard tourist or work visa options.
Which has better internet — Cambodia or Sri Lanka?
Cambodia averages 75 Mbps, while Sri Lanka averages 60 Mbps. Cambodia has faster average internet. For remote work, anything above 50 Mbps typically handles video calls comfortably.
Which is safer — Cambodia or Sri Lanka?
Cambodia scores 6.5/10 on our safety index, while Sri Lanka scores 7/10. Sri Lanka is rated safer overall. Scores reflect general conditions — always check recent local news before committing.
Plan Your Next Chapter
Lifeplanr's Trip Planner lets you budget full stays in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, or anywhere else — with flights, accommodation, and daily costs in one place.
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