Cost of Living, Safety & Expat Guide (2026)

Australia

Cambodia
Based on our comparison, Sihanoukville wins 5 out of 8 categories.Melbourne wins 3 categories.
For digital nomads choosing between Melbourne and Sihanoukville, the answer depends on your priorities. Here's our analysis:
Best for Budget
Sihanoukville
$789/mo
Best Internet
Melbourne
100 Mbps
Best NomadIQ Score
Melbourne
6.5/10
Our Recommendation: Choose Sihanoukville if budget is your top priority, or Melbourne if you need the fastest internet for remote work.
When comparing Melbourne and Sihanoukville for digital nomads, several factors come into play.
Cost of Living: Sihanoukville is the more budget-friendly option at $789/month versus Melbourne's $2,617/month.
Internet & Remote Work: Melbourne leads with 100 Mbps average internet speed, ideal for video calls and large file transfers. Sihanoukville offers 50 Mbps.
Safety: With a safety score of 5.6/10, Melbourne provides a more secure environment than Sihanoukville (3.8/10).
Overall: Melbourne earns a higher NomadIQ score of 6.5/10, making it slightly more suited for the digital nomad lifestyle.
Sihanoukville is 70% cheaper than Melbourne.
Melbourne has a higher safety score (5.6/10) compared to Sihanoukville (3.8/10).
5.6/10
Melbourne
3.8/10
Sihanoukville
For remote workers, internet speed is crucial. Melbourne offers faster internet at 100 Mbps vs 50 Mbps.
100 Mbps
Melbourne
50 Mbps
Sihanoukville
Based on our analysis, Sihanoukville edges out as the better choice for expats, winning 5 of 8 comparison factors.
Melbourne: Best for those prioritizing amenities
Sihanoukville: Best for budget-conscious expats
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