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

Siem Reap and Delhi present fundamentally different profiles for potential residents or investors in 2026. Siem Reap, the gateway to Cambodia's Angkor Wat, offers a significantly lower cost of living overall, with a cost of living index of 20.69 compared to Delhi's 22.73. This translates to approximately 45.3% lower monthly expenses in Siem Reap. However, this lower cost comes with trade-offs, particularly concerning infrastructure, services, and amenities. Delhi, as a major Indian metropolis, has a higher cost of living but offers greater economic dynamism, better public services, and more extensive infrastructure, albeit with challenges like severe traffic congestion and high pollution levels. The decision between these two cities hinges on prioritizing financial savings against the need for robust infrastructure, services, and career opportunities.

The general trend of Delhi being more expensive holds true across most categories, although the differences are less pronounced than the overall index suggests. For groceries, Delhi is marginally cheaper, with items like rice ($0.83/kg vs. $0.41/kg in Siem Reap) and bread ($0.56/kg vs. $0.29/kg) being slightly less expensive. Transportation costs are also lower in Delhi, with public transport passes costing about half as much as in Siem Reap. However, certain items like imported beer are slightly cheaper in Siem Reap ($1.00/L vs. $2.70/L in Delhi). Despite these minor exceptions, Delhi's overall expenditure in most key areas remains higher than Siem Reap's.

Housing represents one of the most significant cost differences. Siem Reap's property market is substantially more affordable, with a price per square meter of only $1,000 compared to Delhi's $2,614 for city center properties. Even the more affordable options outside the center in Siem Reap ($750/m²) are significantly cheaper than their Delhi counterparts ($997/m²). Rent reflects this disparity: a 1-bedroom apartment in Siem Reap costs around $400, while in Delhi, it ranges from $161 to $261 depending on the location. While property taxes are slightly higher in Delhi ($150/year vs. $50/year in Siem Reap), the overall property cost advantage in Siem Reap is substantial.

Income levels differ significantly between the two locations. The average net salary in Siem Reap is $600 per month, considerably lower than Delhi's $547. However, the tax burden is higher in Delhi at 15% compared to Siem Reap's 5%. Despite the lower salary, the higher GDP per capita ($8,000 in Delhi vs. $3,000 in Siem Reap) and faster economic growth rate (8.15% vs. 3.5%) in Delhi suggest more robust career prospects and potentially greater long-term earning potential, even after accounting for taxes and the higher cost of living.

The quality of life indicators paint a complex picture. Siem Reap scores much lower on essential services like healthcare (-60 points) and education (-60 points), reflecting the challenges of accessing high-quality medical facilities and schools. Conversely, Delhi scores significantly higher on infrastructure (-40 points) and safety (+20 points), indicating better roads, utilities, and lower crime rates. Environmental quality is starkly different, with Siem Reap scoring 40 points higher on environmental cleanliness but facing potential future pressures as its economy grows. Delhi suffers severely from pollution (-60 points). The traffic situation is also dramatically different, with Siem Reap scoring 40 points higher on traffic conditions but still facing significant congestion compared to its developed counterpart.