Is Almaty or Siem Reap cheaper to live in?

Siem Reap is 40% cheaper than Almaty. The average monthly cost in Siem Reap is $715, while Almaty costs $1,186 per month.

Which city is better for digital nomads: Almaty or Siem Reap?

For digital nomads, Almaty offers faster internet at 140 Mbps. Siem Reap is more budget-friendly with lower living costs. Both cities have their strengths - Almaty has a NomadIQ score of 7/10 while Siem Reap scores 6.9/10.

What is the rent difference between Almaty and Siem Reap?

A 1-bedroom apartment costs $747/month in Almaty and $352/month in Siem Reap. Siem Reap has 53% lower rent.

Is Almaty or Siem Reap safer?

Siem Reap has a higher safety score of 6.8/10. Almaty scores 4.7/10 for safety while Siem Reap scores 6.8/10.

Should I move to Almaty or Siem Reap as an expat?

The choice depends on your priorities. Choose Siem Reap if budget is important ($715/month). Choose Siem Reap for better safety. Almaty is better for remote work with 140 Mbps internet.

Back to Comparison Tool

Almaty vs Siem Reap

Cost of Living, Safety & Expat Guide (2026)

Almaty

Kazakhstan

$1,186/mo7/10

Siem Reap

Cambodia

$715/mo6.9/10

Almaty

Kazakhstan

$1,186/moNomadIQ 7/10

Siem Reap

Cambodia

$715/moNomadIQ 6.9/10

Detailed Comparison

Factor

Almaty

Siem Reap

Winner

Total Monthly Cost

$1,186

$715

Siem Reap

Rent (1BR)

$747

$352

Siem Reap

Groceries

$300

$200

Siem Reap

Transport

$35

$70

Almaty

Healthcare

$90

$80

Siem Reap

Safety Score

4.7/10

6.8/10

Siem Reap

Internet Speed

140 Mbps

55 Mbps

Almaty

NomadIQ Score

7/10

6.9/10

Almaty

Overall Winner: Siem Reap

Based on our comparison, Siem Reap wins 5 out of 8 categories.Almaty wins 3 categories.

Which city is better for digital nomads?

For digital nomads choosing between Almaty and Siem Reap, the answer depends on your priorities. Here's our analysis:

Best for Budget

Siem Reap

$715/mo

Best Internet

Almaty

140 Mbps

Best NomadIQ Score

Almaty

7/10

Our Recommendation: Choose Siem Reap if budget is your top priority, or Almaty if you need the fastest internet for remote work.

Digital Nomad Analysis: Almaty vs Siem Reap

When comparing Almaty and Siem Reap for digital nomads, several factors come into play.

Cost of Living: Siem Reap is the more budget-friendly option at $715/month versus Almaty's $1,186/month.

Internet & Remote Work: Almaty leads with 140 Mbps average internet speed, ideal for video calls and large file transfers. Siem Reap offers 55 Mbps.

Safety: With a safety score of 6.8/10, Siem Reap offers better security than Almaty (4.7/10).

Overall: Almaty earns a higher NomadIQ score of 7/10, making it slightly more suited for the digital nomad lifestyle.

Cost of Living Comparison

Siem Reap is 40% cheaper than Almaty.

• Almaty rent: $747/mo
• Siem Reap rent: $352/mo
• Difference: $395/mo

Safety Comparison

Siem Reap has a higher safety score (6.8/10) compared to Almaty (4.7/10).

4.7/10

Almaty

6.8/10

Siem Reap

Digital Nomad Friendliness

For remote workers, internet speed is crucial. Almaty offers faster internet at 140 Mbps vs 55 Mbps.

140 Mbps

Almaty

55 Mbps

Siem Reap

Which City Is Better for Expats?

Based on our analysis, Siem Reap edges out as the better choice for expats, winning 5 of 8 comparison factors.

Almaty: Best for those prioritizing amenities

Siem Reap: Best for budget-conscious expats

Almaty vs Siem Reap

Almaty

Siem Reap

Almaty

Siem Reap

Detailed Comparison

Overall Winner: Siem Reap

Which city is better for digital nomads?

Digital Nomad Analysis: Almaty vs Siem Reap

Cost of Living Comparison

Safety Comparison

Digital Nomad Friendliness

Which City Is Better for Expats?

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Frequently Asked Questions: Almaty vs Siem Reap