Linköping vs. Siem Reap: Detailed 2026 Cost of Living & Quality Comparison

Linköping presents a significantly more robust economic environment than Siem Reap in 2026. The Swedish city boasts a substantially higher GDP per capita of $63,100 compared to Cambodia's hub's $6,700. This economic strength translates into higher average monthly net salaries, with Linköping residents earning $2,865.51 versus Siem Reap's meager $220.08. Furthermore, Linköping offers a much more favorable mortgage interest rate of 3.6% compared to Siem Reap's higher 9.2%. While housing costs in Linköping are substantial, particularly for buying, the absolute expense of a city-center 1-bedroom apartment ($909.20/month rent, $4,849.49/sqm purchase) still reflects a higher cost of living index than Siem Reap's $29.91, despite the latter's lower property prices ($2,485.67/sqm). The stark difference in economic fundamentals favors Linköping for stability and income.

The quality of life gap between Linköping and Siem Reap is profound, driven primarily by safety, healthcare, and environmental factors. Linköping scores considerably higher on the Safety Index (60.24) and Health Care Index (76.05), reflecting a secure environment and superior medical access. Its Quality of Life Index stands at 205.76, supported by a low Pollution Index (12.86) and a decent Climate Index (74.45). Conversely, Siem Reap's Quality of Life Index is much lower at 83.25, with a higher Pollution Index (75.44) and significantly weaker healthcare (41.53). Although Siem Reap has a lower Cost of Living Index (29.91), the overall trade-off for residents is a marked decline in safety, health services, and environmental quality compared to the Swedish city.

For investment and career prospects in 2026, Linköping demonstrates superior stability and growth potential. It features a low unemployment rate (implied by its GDP and salaries), a positive population growth rate of 0.51%, and a modest GDP growth rate of 0.31%. The low mortgage interest rate enhances long-term investment feasibility. Siem Reap, while showing faster population growth (0.99%) and a higher GDP growth rate (4.96%), presents a riskier profile. Its heavy reliance on tourism makes its economy vulnerable to external shocks, and the high mortgage interest rate, combined with lower salaries ($220.08), may limit investment returns and career advancement opportunities compared to the more diversified Swedish economy.

While Siem Reap offers substantially lower absolute costs, particularly for housing ($2,485.67/sqm purchase price), this advantage is tempered by Linköping's more favorable affordability metrics. Linköping's property price-to-income ratio is a mere 6.87, meaning homes are much more accessible relative to the average income than in Siem Reap, where the ratio reaches 40.56. Renting a 1-bedroom apartment in Linköping ($909.20/month) is also more expensive than in Siem Reap ($351.56/month), and the city center grocery bill ($368.42/month) is higher than Siem Reap's $140.33. Despite Linköping's higher cost of living, its economic stability and quality-of-life factors make it significantly more affordable in a relative sense than Siem Reap.

Ultimately, Linköping and Siem Reap represent fundamentally different urban experiences in 2026. Linköping provides a high quality of life with strong economic fundamentals, high salaries, and excellent healthcare and safety, making it ideal for those prioritizing stability and well-being. Siem Reap, conversely, offers drastically lower costs for living and property but sacrifices significant aspects of safety, healthcare, and environmental quality. Its economy, heavily tied to tourism, presents higher investment risk. The choice hinges entirely on individual priorities: Linköping for quality and stability, Siem Reap for budget constraints, accepting the associated compromises.