Addis Ababa vs Phnom Penh
Cost of living comparison for expats and families · 2026
🇪🇹 Ethiopia
Addis Ababa
$1,420/mo solo
🇰🇭 Cambodia
Phnom Penh
$1,170/mo solo
How we calculate tax rates: Estimated effective rates assume a $200K/yr retiree drawdown, single filer, all long-term capital gains. US figures include federal LTCG + NIIT + state tax (so Boston shows MA, Miami shows FL, etc.). Your real rate depends on income mix and filing status — run the tax calculator for your numbers.
Addis Ababa
vs
Phnom Penh
Cost of Living
$900
Housing (1BR)
$575
$200/mo
Food
$275/mo
$120/mo
Utilities
$120/mo
$50/mo
Transport
$50/mo
$150/mo
Healthcare
$150/mo
$1,420/mo
Total
$1,170/mo
Taxes (International Investors)
effective at $200K/yr · single
15.0%
Capital Gains
20.0%
10.0%
Dividends
14.0%
15.0%
Crypto
20.0%
None
Wealth Tax
None
Quality of Life
50/100
Safety
49/100
15 Mbps
Internet
85 Mbps
Visa
30 days
Tourist Visa
90 days
No
DN Visa
No
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Cost of Living
Phnom Penh is the more affordable option at $1,170/month for a single person, compared to $1,420/month in Addis Ababa — a savings of $250/month, or roughly 18%. Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Addis Ababa averages $900/month vs $575/month in Phnom Penh. For couples needing a 2-bedroom, expect $1,500 in Addis Ababa and $1,100 in Phnom Penh. Families with kids typically see costs scale by 2–2.5× vs single-person baseline.
Tax for Investors
Ethiopia's tax system is worldwide (all income taxed regardless of source). At a $200K/yr retiree drawdown, Ethiopia works out to roughly 15.0% effective on long-term gains. Cambodia is worldwide (all income taxed regardless of source); Cambodia comes in at 20.0%. For FIRE retirees living off portfolio income, territorial systems typically produce the cleanest outcome — see our territorial tax countries guide for the full list.
Climate & Lifestyle
Addis Ababa has a mild temperate (avg 17°C) climate; Phnom Penh is tropical (avg 28°C year-round). Phnom Penh is meaningfully warmer year-round (11°C difference on annual average). Addis Ababa scores higher on safety (50/100) vs 49/100 for the other city. Phnom Penh has faster internet at 85 Mbps vs 15 Mbps. Addis Ababa has a medium established expat community. Phnom Penh has a medium established expat community.
Visa & Residency
For Addis Ababa: investor visa available. For Phnom Penh: 90-day tourist visa on arrival. Full visa pathways, income thresholds, and residency timelines are covered in the Retire in Ethiopia and Retire in Cambodia guides.
FIRE Number
At the standard 4% safe withdrawal rate, the portfolio needed to retire in Addis Ababa is $426,000; Phnom Penh needs $351,000. Geographic arbitrage is the single biggest lever in FIRE planning — relocating between these two cities changes your required portfolio by $75,000. Run your own scenarios in the "What your portfolio buys" section below.
What your portfolio buys in each city
At the 4% safe withdrawal rate, see exactly what Addis Ababa vs Phnom Penh costs at common FIRE milestones. Real math, honest verdicts — no marketing spin.
Go deeper
City guide
Living in Addis Ababa
Full cost breakdown, climate, safety, visa, and lifestyle data
City guide
Living in Phnom Penh
Full cost breakdown, climate, safety, visa, and lifestyle data
Tax guide
Retire in Ethiopia
Income tax, capital gains, special regimes, and visa pathways
Tax guide
Retire in Cambodia
Income tax, capital gains, special regimes, and visa pathways
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