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    Austin vs Phnom Penh: A Complete Data-Driven Comparison

    ๐ŸŽธ

    Austin

    United States ยท $2,400/mo

    0.00
    Total
    0.00
    Nomad
    ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ญ

    Phnom Penh

    Cambodia ยท $700/mo

    0.00
    Total
    0.00
    Nomad

    Choosing between Austin, United States and Phnom Penh, Cambodia is one of the most common dilemmas facing digital nomads, expats, and remote workers in 2026. Both cities offer unique advantages. But the right choice depends entirely on your priorities, budget, and lifestyle preferences.

    In this comprehensive comparison, we analyze Austin and Phnom Penh across 12 critical categories: Economic Factors, Quality of Life, Infrastructure & Connectivity, Housing & Living Spaces, and 8 more categories. Each category is scored on a 0-100 scale using data from over 20 verified sources, including Numbeo, WHO, Speedtest, and local government statistics.

    Austin earns an overall score of 79.86/100, while Phnom Penh scores 63.01/100. A 16.85-point significant gap that Austin leads. But headline scores never tell the full story. Let's break down exactly where each city excels and where it falls short.

    Austin is described as: "Tech boom town with live music culture. Growing fast with no state income tax." Meanwhile, Phnom Penh is known as: "Cambodia's rapidly developing capital. Ultra-cheap with a growing expat scene." These reputations are earned. But how do they hold up under rigorous data analysis? Read on.

    Economic Factors

    Austin

    80
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    69

    In economic factors, Austin takes the lead with a score of 80/100 compared to 69/100. This category covers employment & income, cost factors, economic environment.

    Austin has a commanding lead in employment & income (85 vs 53). Phnom Penh has a solid advantage in cost factors (78 vs 65). Austin has a commanding lead in economic environment (94 vs 73).

    Austin stands out for currency stability, banking system, tax rates, though housing costs and education costs could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in daily living costs and housing costs despite the overall gap.

    Employment & Income

    Austin

    85
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    53

    Job Market Strength

    82/ 10048

    Salary Levels

    78/ 10037

    Freelance/Remote Work Market

    88/ 10072

    Entrepreneurship Environment

    92/ 10056

    Cost Factors

    Austin

    65
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    78

    Housing Costs

    52/ 10088

    Daily Living Costs

    68/ 10091

    Transportation Costs

    72/ 10087

    Entertainment Costs

    65/ 10082

    Healthcare Costs

    68/ 10076

    Education Costs

    62/ 10042

    Economic Environment

    Austin

    94
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    73

    Tax Rates

    95/ 10079

    Business Regulations

    88/ 10058

    Economic Stability

    85/ 10074

    Currency Stability

    100/ 10088

    Banking System

    100/ 10064

    Quality of Life

    Austin

    74
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    54

    In quality of life, Austin takes the lead with a score of 74/100 compared to 54/100. This category covers healthcare, education, safety & environment, climate & nature.

    Austin has a solid advantage in education (78 vs 60). Austin has a commanding lead in safety & environment (70 vs 49). Austin has a commanding lead in climate & nature (73 vs 45).

    Austin stands out for english-speaking medical staff, universities, political stability, though beach/water access and healthcare affordability could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in english-speaking medical staff and healthcare affordability despite the overall gap.

    Healthcare

    Austin

    75
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    66

    Healthcare Quality

    72/ 10064

    Healthcare Accessibility

    78/ 10068

    Healthcare Affordability

    55/ 10077

    English-Speaking Medical Staff

    100/ 10079

    Mental Health Services

    70/ 10046

    Dental Care

    75/ 10061

    Education

    Austin

    78
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    60

    School Quality

    68/ 10067

    International Schools

    78/ 10074

    Universities

    95/ 10051

    Language Schools

    72/ 10063

    Vocational Training

    75/ 10043

    Safety & Environment

    Austin

    70
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    49

    Crime Rates

    58/ 10053

    Personal Safety

    62/ 10063

    Political Stability

    92/ 10072

    Natural Disaster Risk

    68/ 10047

    Air Quality

    62/ 10038

    Water Quality

    82/ 10032

    Noise Pollution

    68/ 10041

    Climate & Nature

    Austin

    73
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    45

    Climate Suitability

    82/ 10059

    Sunshine Hours

    85/ 10068

    Rainfall Patterns

    72/ 10049

    Natural Beauty

    88/ 10054

    Green Spaces

    82/ 10044

    Beach/Water Access

    35/ 10022

    Mountains/Hiking

    68/ 10018

    Infrastructure & Connectivity

    Austin

    70
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    61

    In infrastructure & connectivity, Austin takes the lead with a score of 70/100 compared to 61/100. This category covers transportation, connectivity, digital infrastructure.

    Austin has a solid advantage in transportation (67 vs 52).

    Austin stands out for internet speed, taxi/rideshare, coworking spaces, though ferry connections and train connections could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in public transport affordability and internet cost despite the overall gap.

    Transportation

    Austin

    67
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    52

    Public Transport Quality

    55/ 10049

    Public Transport Coverage

    52/ 10046

    Public Transport Affordability

    82/ 10089

    Bike Infrastructure

    78/ 10024

    Walkability

    62/ 10039

    Traffic Congestion

    58/ 10031

    Driving Conditions

    78/ 10036

    Taxi/Rideshare

    92/ 10084

    Car Ownership Necessity

    45/ 10071

    Connectivity

    Austin

    55
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    55

    Airport Connectivity

    85/ 10071

    Airport Distance

    88/ 10078

    Train Connections

    28/ 10019

    Bus Connections

    75/ 10069

    Ferry Connections

    0/ 10037

    Digital Infrastructure

    Austin

    86
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    78

    Internet Speed

    95/ 10086

    Internet Reliability

    90/ 10079

    Internet Cost

    72/ 10088

    Mobile Network Quality

    90/ 10087

    Coworking Spaces

    92/ 10071

    Public WiFi

    78/ 10058

    Housing & Living Spaces

    Austin

    71
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    70

    In housing & living spaces, Austin takes the lead with a score of 71/100 compared to 70/100. This category covers housing market, neighborhoods.

    Austin stands out for proximity to amenities, housing variety, neighborhood diversity, though purchase prices and rental costs could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in rental costs and purchase prices despite the overall gap.

    Housing Market

    Austin

    68
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    70

    Rental Availability

    68/ 10076

    Rental Costs

    55/ 10089

    Purchase Prices

    52/ 10084

    Housing Quality

    80/ 10054

    Housing Variety

    85/ 10066

    Landlord Regulations

    65/ 10052

    Neighborhoods

    Austin

    76
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    70

    Neighborhood Diversity

    82/ 10069

    Expat/International Areas

    78/ 10078

    Gentrification Trends

    55/ 10057

    Proximity to Amenities

    88/ 10074

    Daily Life & Services

    Austin

    86
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    71

    In daily life & services, Austin takes the lead with a score of 86/100 compared to 71/100. This category covers shopping & retail, food & dining, essential services, utilities & connectivity.

    Austin has a solid advantage in shopping & retail (86 vs 70). Austin has a solid advantage in essential services (86 vs 67). Austin has a solid advantage in utilities & connectivity (82 vs 65).

    Austin stands out for supermarket availability, e-commerce, restaurant variety, though restaurant affordability and utility costs could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in street food and restaurant affordability despite the overall gap.

    Shopping & Retail

    Austin

    86
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    70

    Supermarket Availability

    95/ 10071

    Shopping Mall Quantity

    78/ 10064

    Shopping Mall Quality

    80/ 10062

    International Brands

    88/ 10066

    Local Markets

    85/ 10087

    Opening Hours

    80/ 10076

    E-commerce

    95/ 10061

    Food & Dining

    Austin

    87
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    83

    Restaurant Variety

    95/ 10083

    Restaurant Quality

    90/ 10076

    Restaurant Affordability

    65/ 10091

    Cafรฉ Culture

    88/ 10079

    Street Food

    82/ 10094

    Alcohol Availability

    95/ 10078

    Food Delivery

    95/ 10078

    Essential Services

    Austin

    86
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    67

    Pharmacy Density

    90/ 10079

    24-Hour Pharmacies

    85/ 10059

    Medicine Availability

    95/ 10071

    Postal Services

    82/ 10054

    Banking Services

    95/ 10073

    Laundry Services

    80/ 10069

    Repair Services

    78/ 10064

    Hair Salons/Barbers

    88/ 10081

    Pet Services

    85/ 10052

    Utilities & Connectivity

    Austin

    82
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    65

    Electricity Reliability

    92/ 10069

    Water Reliability

    88/ 10064

    Utility Costs

    70/ 10083

    Heating/Cooling

    75/ 10057

    Waste Management

    85/ 10051

    Cultural & Social Life

    Austin

    85
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    60

    In cultural & social life, Austin takes the lead with a score of 85/100 compared to 60/100. This category covers culture & entertainment, social life, community.

    Austin has a commanding lead in culture & entertainment (83 vs 58). Austin has a commanding lead in social life (84 vs 57). Austin has a solid advantage in community (87 vs 67).

    Austin stands out for language barriers, music scene, festival calendar, though nightlife safety and historical sites could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in local friendliness and historical sites despite the overall gap.

    Culture & Entertainment

    Austin

    83
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    58

    Museums & Galleries

    78/ 10061

    Historical Sites

    72/ 10084

    Theaters & Performing Arts

    85/ 10041

    Music Scene

    98/ 10059

    Cinema Options

    80/ 10064

    Libraries

    85/ 10042

    Art Scene

    82/ 10052

    Social Life

    Austin

    84
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    57

    Nightlife Quality

    92/ 10068

    Nightlife Safety

    68/ 10054

    Festival Calendar

    95/ 10071

    Sports Culture

    78/ 10049

    Social Clubs

    80/ 10061

    Dating Scene

    85/ 10056

    LGBTQ+ Scene

    92/ 10041

    Community

    Austin

    87
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    67

    Local Friendliness

    82/ 10089

    Expat Community Size

    85/ 10064

    Expat Integration

    80/ 10069

    Language Barriers

    100/ 10049

    Cultural Events

    90/ 10066

    Professional & Career

    Austin

    85
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    65

    In professional & career, Austin takes the lead with a score of 85/100 compared to 65/100. This category covers business environment, work environment, market opportunities.

    Austin has a commanding lead in business environment (90 vs 53). Austin has a solid advantage in market opportunities (78 vs 65).

    Austin stands out for startup ecosystem, internet for work, coworking culture, though competition level and business visa options could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in business visa options and internet for work despite the overall gap.

    Business Environment

    Austin

    90
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    53

    Industry Clusters

    90/ 10046

    Major Companies

    88/ 10041

    Startup Ecosystem

    95/ 10055

    Coworking Culture

    92/ 10070

    Professional Networking

    90/ 10054

    Business Associations

    85/ 10051

    Work Environment

    Austin

    83
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    81

    Work-Life Balance

    75/ 10078

    Remote Work Acceptance

    90/ 10074

    Internet for Work

    95/ 10089

    Time Zone

    82/ 10071

    Business Visa Options

    72/ 10091

    Market Opportunities

    Austin

    78
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    65

    Client Base

    85/ 10052

    Freelance Market

    88/ 10071

    Competition Level

    62/ 10073

    Lifestyle & Pace

    Austin

    78
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    64

    In lifestyle & pace, Austin takes the lead with a score of 78/100 compared to 64/100. This category covers daily rhythm, lifestyle options, tourism impact.

    Austin has a commanding lead in lifestyle options (84 vs 56).

    Austin stands out for outdoor lifestyle, pet friendliness, weekend culture, though crowding and tourist volume could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in pace of life and authenticity despite the overall gap.

    Daily Rhythm

    Austin

    78
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    73

    Pace of Life

    75/ 10081

    Working Hours Culture

    70/ 10069

    Dining Hours

    80/ 10072

    Shop Opening Hours

    82/ 10075

    Weekend Culture

    85/ 10068

    Lifestyle Options

    Austin

    84
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    56

    Outdoor Lifestyle

    92/ 10051

    Fitness Culture

    85/ 10054

    Health Consciousness

    80/ 10049

    Pet Friendliness

    88/ 10058

    Family Orientation

    75/ 10069

    Tourism Impact

    Austin

    73
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    64

    Tourist Volume

    65/ 10062

    Tourism Seasonality

    70/ 10053

    Tourist Infrastructure

    85/ 10068

    Authenticity

    85/ 10079

    Crowding

    60/ 10057

    Legal & Administrative

    Austin

    82
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    57

    In legal & administrative, Austin takes the lead with a score of 82/100 compared to 57/100. This category covers visa & residency, administration, rights & freedoms.

    Austin has a commanding lead in administration (83 vs 51). Austin has a commanding lead in rights & freedoms (91 vs 51).

    Austin stands out for language requirements, freedom of speech, religious freedom, though residency process and visa requirements could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in visa requirements and residency options despite the overall gap.

    Visa & Residency

    Austin

    71
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    70

    Visa Requirements

    65/ 10090

    Residency Options

    75/ 10084

    Residency Process

    60/ 10076

    Citizenship Pathway

    65/ 10021

    Deportation Risk

    90/ 10081

    Administration

    Austin

    83
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    51

    Bureaucracy Level

    68/ 10039

    Digital Government

    85/ 10053

    Document Requirements

    70/ 10059

    Language Requirements

    100/ 10054

    Legal System

    92/ 10049

    Rights & Freedoms

    Austin

    91
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    51

    Freedom of Speech

    95/ 10033

    Religious Freedom

    95/ 10071

    Women's Rights

    90/ 10062

    LGBTQ+ Rights

    92/ 10038

    Worker Rights

    82/ 10052

    Family & Children

    Austin

    77
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    63

    In family & children, Austin takes the lead with a score of 77/100 compared to 63/100. This category covers child-friendly infrastructure, family services.

    Austin has a commanding lead in child-friendly infrastructure (81 vs 59).

    Austin stands out for kid activities, playgrounds, extracurricular activities, though childcare costs and childcare availability could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in family housing and childcare costs despite the overall gap.

    Child-Friendly Infrastructure

    Austin

    81
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    59

    Playgrounds

    85/ 10051

    Kid Activities

    88/ 10062

    Child Safety

    75/ 10064

    Pediatric Care

    80/ 10066

    Baby/Toddler Facilities

    78/ 10053

    Family Services

    Austin

    74
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    66

    Childcare Availability

    70/ 10061

    Childcare Costs

    55/ 10071

    School Holidays

    80/ 10062

    Extracurricular Activities

    85/ 10065

    Family Housing

    78/ 10072

    Practical Considerations

    Austin

    83
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    62

    In practical considerations, Austin takes the lead with a score of 83/100 compared to 62/100. This category covers transportation costs, special services, communication, emergency services.

    Austin has a solid advantage in transportation costs (74 vs 62). Austin has a commanding lead in special services (88 vs 60). Austin has a commanding lead in communication (90 vs 61).

    Austin stands out for language learning, emergency numbers, gas station density, though vehicle costs and fuel prices could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in emergency numbers and gas station density despite the overall gap.

    Transportation Costs

    Austin

    74
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    62

    Fuel Prices

    68/ 10076

    Gas Station Density

    92/ 10079

    EV Infrastructure

    75/ 10024

    Vehicle Costs

    65/ 10062

    Vehicle Maintenance

    72/ 10071

    Special Services

    Austin

    88
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    60

    Moving Services

    85/ 10059

    Storage Facilities

    85/ 10049

    Translation Services

    90/ 10068

    Legal Services

    90/ 10064

    Accounting Services

    90/ 10061

    Communication

    Austin

    90
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    61

    Postal Reliability

    85/ 10055

    Package Import

    88/ 10052

    Language Learning

    95/ 10059

    International Calling

    92/ 10079

    Emergency Services

    Austin

    82
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    65

    Emergency Response

    82/ 10061

    Emergency Healthcare

    80/ 10069

    Emergency Numbers

    95/ 10080

    Natural Disaster Preparedness

    72/ 10048

    Specific to Your Profile

    Austin

    86
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    62

    In specific to your profile, Austin takes the lead with a score of 86/100 compared to 62/100. This category covers remote work specific, personal circumstances.

    Austin has a solid advantage in remote work specific (90 vs 72). Austin has a commanding lead in personal circumstances (84 vs 56).

    Austin stands out for language skills, video call quality, tech ecosystem, though partner citizenship advantages and citizenship advantages could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in video call quality and cafรฉ laptop culture despite the overall gap.

    Remote Work Specific

    Austin

    90
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    72

    Time Zone Alignment

    80/ 10070

    Coworking Day Passes

    90/ 10069

    Cafรฉ Laptop Culture

    90/ 10083

    Video Call Quality

    95/ 10084

    Tech Ecosystem

    95/ 10052

    Personal Circumstances

    Austin

    84
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    56

    Citizenship Advantages

    70/ 10049

    Partner Citizenship Advantages

    50/ 10041

    Industry Presence

    90/ 10050

    Language Skills

    100/ 10047

    Religious/Cultural Fit

    85/ 10069

    Dietary Requirements

    90/ 10073

    Hobby Availability

    90/ 10064

    Pet Import Rules

    95/ 10053

    The Verdict: Austin or Phnom Penh?

    With an overall score of 79.86/100 versus 63.01/100, Austin leads on paper. But the "better" city ultimately depends on what matters most to you.

    Austin excels in economic factors, quality of life, infrastructure & connectivity. Phnom Penh leads in several areas.

    Use our interactive comparison tool to drill deeper into specific metrics. No single ranking captures the complexity of choosing a new home. But data-driven analysis gives you the best starting point.

    Dive Deeper with Our Interactive Tool

    See the full data breakdown with live filtering and side-by-side analysis.

    Compare Austin vs Phnom Penh Live