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Living in Phnom Penh: Rent, Utilities, and Internet


A cozy bedroom photo by WIX

Rent can range from 150 to 800 USD or more, depending on the type of property and its location. You can choose from studio apartments, one-bedroom units, terraced houses, condominiums, and villas. There are two kinds of apartments: serviced and non-serviced. Some serviced apartments include utilities, laundry, and weekly cleaning in the rent, while others require separate payment for utilities. In non-serviced apartments, you'll need to cover both rent and utility expenses. Apartments can also be fully furnished, semi-furnished, or unfurnished. I live in a semi-furnished one-bedroom apartment, which came with only a bed and air conditioning, so I had to purchase everything else myself.


A lightbulb photo by WIX

Electricity costs range from 730 to 1000 riels (approximately 0.18 to 0.25 USD) per KWH, depending on the location. Apartments in commercial areas tend to have higher rates compared to those in residential neighborhoods.



A faucet photo by WIX

Water costs range from 400 to 2,200 riels (US$0.10 to US$0.55) per cubic meter. However, many rentals charge a fixed water fee. In my apartment, for instance, the water fee is US$5 per month, regardless of how much water I use.

A phone photo by WIX

In some apartments, internet access is included in the rent, while others require a fixed monthly payment. My landlord charges US$5 per month for internet. Many residents in terraced houses, condominiums, or villas have their own internet installed. Popular internet service providers include Mekongnet, Viettel-Metfone, EZECOM, Smart, Sinet, Cellcard, NTC. The cost varies depending on the provider, type of connection, and the package you choose. You can expect to pay between US$10 and US$50 per month for internet service. If you prefer not to have Wi-Fi installed, you can opt for a mobile data connection. You can buy SIM cards from Smart, Metfone, or Cellcard stores. They offer a variety of mobile data plans. I use a Smart SIM card, and subscribe to their Smart Laor plan, which costs 1.50 USD. This plan includes 10 GB of data, 1,000 on-net minutes, and 1,000 on-net SMS for 7 days.

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