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    Chicago vs Phnom Penh: A Complete Data-Driven Comparison

    ๐Ÿ™๏ธ

    Chicago

    United States ยท $2,600/mo

    0.00
    Total
    0.00
    Nomad
    ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ญ

    Phnom Penh

    Cambodia ยท $700/mo

    0.00
    Total
    0.00
    Nomad

    Choosing between Chicago, 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 Chicago 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.

    Chicago earns an overall score of 72.99/100, while Phnom Penh scores 63.01/100. A 9.98-point modest gap that Chicago leads. But headline scores never tell the full story. Let's break down exactly where each city excels and where it falls short.

    Chicago is described as: "Architectural marvel with deep cultural roots. Harsh winters but affordable by US standards." 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

    Chicago

    66
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    69

    In economic factors, Phnom Penh takes the lead with a score of 69/100 compared to 66/100. This category covers employment & income, cost factors, economic environment.

    Chicago has a commanding lead in employment & income (74 vs 53). Phnom Penh has a commanding lead in cost factors (78 vs 50).

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

    Employment & Income

    Chicago

    74
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    53

    Job Market Strength

    73/ 10048

    Salary Levels

    82/ 10037

    Freelance/Remote Work Market

    74/ 10072

    Entrepreneurship Environment

    68/ 10056

    Cost Factors

    Chicago

    50
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    78

    Housing Costs

    42/ 10088

    Daily Living Costs

    48/ 10091

    Transportation Costs

    65/ 10087

    Entertainment Costs

    55/ 10082

    Healthcare Costs

    37/ 10076

    Education Costs

    52/ 10042

    Economic Environment

    Chicago

    78
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    73

    Tax Rates

    56/ 10079

    Business Regulations

    64/ 10058

    Economic Stability

    83/ 10074

    Currency Stability

    95/ 10088

    Banking System

    90/ 10064

    Quality of Life

    Chicago

    67
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    54

    In quality of life, Chicago takes the lead with a score of 67/100 compared to 54/100. This category covers healthcare, education, safety & environment, climate & nature.

    Chicago has a solid advantage in education (76 vs 60). Chicago has a solid advantage in climate & nature (64 vs 45).

    Chicago stands out for english-speaking medical staff, universities, political stability, though mountains/hiking and crime rates could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in english-speaking medical staff and healthcare affordability despite the overall gap.

    Healthcare

    Chicago

    75
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    66

    Healthcare Quality

    87/ 10064

    Healthcare Accessibility

    71/ 10068

    Healthcare Affordability

    38/ 10077

    English-Speaking Medical Staff

    100/ 10079

    Mental Health Services

    74/ 10046

    Dental Care

    79/ 10061

    Education

    Chicago

    76
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    60

    School Quality

    67/ 10067

    International Schools

    74/ 10074

    Universities

    94/ 10051

    Language Schools

    71/ 10063

    Vocational Training

    76/ 10043

    Safety & Environment

    Chicago

    57
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    49

    Crime Rates

    33/ 10053

    Personal Safety

    39/ 10063

    Political Stability

    91/ 10072

    Natural Disaster Risk

    61/ 10047

    Air Quality

    54/ 10038

    Water Quality

    73/ 10032

    Noise Pollution

    49/ 10041

    Climate & Nature

    Chicago

    64
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    45

    Climate Suitability

    59/ 10059

    Sunshine Hours

    71/ 10068

    Rainfall Patterns

    66/ 10049

    Natural Beauty

    79/ 10054

    Green Spaces

    89/ 10044

    Beach/Water Access

    73/ 10022

    Mountains/Hiking

    12/ 10018

    Infrastructure & Connectivity

    Chicago

    75
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    61

    In infrastructure & connectivity, Chicago takes the lead with a score of 75/100 compared to 61/100. This category covers transportation, connectivity, digital infrastructure.

    Chicago has a commanding lead in transportation (73 vs 52). Chicago has a solid advantage in connectivity (70 vs 55).

    Chicago stands out for airport connectivity, public transport quality, mobile network quality, though ferry connections and traffic congestion could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in public transport affordability and internet cost despite the overall gap.

    Transportation

    Chicago

    73
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    52

    Public Transport Quality

    88/ 10049

    Public Transport Coverage

    82/ 10046

    Public Transport Affordability

    79/ 10089

    Bike Infrastructure

    76/ 10024

    Walkability

    81/ 10039

    Traffic Congestion

    41/ 10031

    Driving Conditions

    62/ 10036

    Taxi/Rideshare

    84/ 10084

    Car Ownership Necessity

    64/ 10071

    Connectivity

    Chicago

    70
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    55

    Airport Connectivity

    94/ 10071

    Airport Distance

    81/ 10078

    Train Connections

    72/ 10019

    Bus Connections

    80/ 10069

    Ferry Connections

    25/ 10037

    Digital Infrastructure

    Chicago

    81
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    78

    Internet Speed

    79/ 10086

    Internet Reliability

    86/ 10079

    Internet Cost

    69/ 10088

    Mobile Network Quality

    87/ 10087

    Coworking Spaces

    84/ 10071

    Public WiFi

    83/ 10058

    Housing & Living Spaces

    Chicago

    66
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    70

    In housing & living spaces, Phnom Penh takes the lead with a score of 70/100 compared to 66/100. This category covers housing market, neighborhoods.

    Phnom Penh has a solid advantage in housing market (70 vs 60).

    Phnom Penh stands out for rental costs, purchase prices, expat/international areas, though landlord regulations and housing quality could be improved. Chicago performs well in proximity to amenities and neighborhood diversity despite the overall gap.

    Housing Market

    Chicago

    60
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    70

    Rental Availability

    36/ 10076

    Rental Costs

    41/ 10089

    Purchase Prices

    61/ 10084

    Housing Quality

    77/ 10054

    Housing Variety

    81/ 10066

    Landlord Regulations

    63/ 10052

    Neighborhoods

    Chicago

    75
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    70

    Neighborhood Diversity

    86/ 10069

    Expat/International Areas

    69/ 10078

    Gentrification Trends

    54/ 10057

    Proximity to Amenities

    89/ 10074

    Daily Life & Services

    Chicago

    81
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    71

    In daily life & services, Chicago takes the lead with a score of 81/100 compared to 71/100. This category covers shopping & retail, food & dining, essential services, utilities & connectivity.

    Chicago has a solid advantage in shopping & retail (83 vs 70). Chicago has a solid advantage in essential services (80 vs 67). Chicago has a solid advantage in utilities & connectivity (78 vs 65).

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

    Shopping & Retail

    Chicago

    83
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    70

    Supermarket Availability

    87/ 10071

    Shopping Mall Quantity

    76/ 10064

    Shopping Mall Quality

    79/ 10062

    International Brands

    89/ 10066

    Local Markets

    83/ 10087

    Opening Hours

    73/ 10076

    E-commerce

    91/ 10061

    Food & Dining

    Chicago

    83
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    83

    Restaurant Variety

    94/ 10083

    Restaurant Quality

    89/ 10076

    Restaurant Affordability

    61/ 10091

    Cafรฉ Culture

    84/ 10079

    Street Food

    71/ 10094

    Alcohol Availability

    90/ 10078

    Food Delivery

    91/ 10078

    Essential Services

    Chicago

    80
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    67

    Pharmacy Density

    89/ 10079

    24-Hour Pharmacies

    76/ 10059

    Medicine Availability

    89/ 10071

    Postal Services

    71/ 10054

    Banking Services

    90/ 10073

    Laundry Services

    74/ 10069

    Repair Services

    71/ 10064

    Hair Salons/Barbers

    83/ 10081

    Pet Services

    79/ 10052

    Utilities & Connectivity

    Chicago

    78
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    65

    Electricity Reliability

    94/ 10069

    Water Reliability

    91/ 10064

    Utility Costs

    56/ 10083

    Heating/Cooling

    68/ 10057

    Waste Management

    79/ 10051

    Cultural & Social Life

    Chicago

    84
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    60

    In cultural & social life, Chicago takes the lead with a score of 84/100 compared to 60/100. This category covers culture & entertainment, social life, community.

    Chicago has a commanding lead in culture & entertainment (87 vs 58). Chicago has a commanding lead in social life (82 vs 57). Chicago has a solid advantage in community (82 vs 67).

    Chicago stands out for language barriers, museums & galleries, sports culture, though nightlife safety and expat community size could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in local friendliness and historical sites despite the overall gap.

    Culture & Entertainment

    Chicago

    87
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    58

    Museums & Galleries

    94/ 10061

    Historical Sites

    86/ 10084

    Theaters & Performing Arts

    89/ 10041

    Music Scene

    93/ 10059

    Cinema Options

    80/ 10064

    Libraries

    79/ 10042

    Art Scene

    87/ 10052

    Social Life

    Chicago

    82
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    57

    Nightlife Quality

    87/ 10068

    Nightlife Safety

    54/ 10054

    Festival Calendar

    91/ 10071

    Sports Culture

    94/ 10049

    Social Clubs

    79/ 10061

    Dating Scene

    77/ 10056

    LGBTQ+ Scene

    91/ 10041

    Community

    Chicago

    82
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    67

    Local Friendliness

    81/ 10089

    Expat Community Size

    67/ 10064

    Expat Integration

    73/ 10069

    Language Barriers

    98/ 10049

    Cultural Events

    89/ 10066

    Professional & Career

    Chicago

    74
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    65

    In professional & career, Chicago takes the lead with a score of 74/100 compared to 65/100. This category covers business environment, work environment, market opportunities.

    Chicago has a commanding lead in business environment (78 vs 53). Phnom Penh has a solid advantage in work environment (81 vs 70).

    Chicago stands out for internet for work, major companies, remote work acceptance, though business visa options and work-life balance could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in business visa options and internet for work despite the overall gap.

    Business Environment

    Chicago

    78
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    53

    Industry Clusters

    79/ 10046

    Major Companies

    84/ 10041

    Startup Ecosystem

    71/ 10055

    Coworking Culture

    83/ 10070

    Professional Networking

    77/ 10054

    Business Associations

    74/ 10051

    Work Environment

    Chicago

    70
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    81

    Work-Life Balance

    61/ 10078

    Remote Work Acceptance

    84/ 10074

    Internet for Work

    90/ 10089

    Time Zone

    69/ 10071

    Business Visa Options

    44/ 10091

    Market Opportunities

    Chicago

    73
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    65

    Client Base

    84/ 10052

    Freelance Market

    71/ 10071

    Competition Level

    64/ 10073

    Lifestyle & Pace

    Chicago

    71
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    64

    In lifestyle & pace, Chicago takes the lead with a score of 71/100 compared to 64/100. This category covers daily rhythm, lifestyle options, tourism impact.

    Chicago has a solid advantage in lifestyle options (75 vs 56).

    Chicago stands out for tourist infrastructure, weekend culture, fitness culture, though tourist volume and crowding could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in pace of life and authenticity despite the overall gap.

    Daily Rhythm

    Chicago

    72
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    73

    Pace of Life

    64/ 10081

    Working Hours Culture

    69/ 10069

    Dining Hours

    76/ 10072

    Shop Opening Hours

    72/ 10075

    Weekend Culture

    79/ 10068

    Lifestyle Options

    Chicago

    75
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    56

    Outdoor Lifestyle

    77/ 10051

    Fitness Culture

    79/ 10054

    Health Consciousness

    66/ 10049

    Pet Friendliness

    79/ 10058

    Family Orientation

    74/ 10069

    Tourism Impact

    Chicago

    65
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    64

    Tourist Volume

    52/ 10062

    Tourism Seasonality

    59/ 10053

    Tourist Infrastructure

    84/ 10068

    Authenticity

    76/ 10079

    Crowding

    53/ 10057

    Legal & Administrative

    Chicago

    66
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    57

    In legal & administrative, Chicago takes the lead with a score of 66/100 compared to 57/100. This category covers visa & residency, administration, rights & freedoms.

    Phnom Penh has a commanding lead in visa & residency (70 vs 37). Chicago has a commanding lead in administration (76 vs 51). Chicago has a commanding lead in rights & freedoms (84 vs 51).

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

    Visa & Residency

    Chicago

    37
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    70

    Visa Requirements

    36/ 10090

    Residency Options

    39/ 10084

    Residency Process

    37/ 10076

    Citizenship Pathway

    41/ 10021

    Deportation Risk

    32/ 10081

    Administration

    Chicago

    76
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    51

    Bureaucracy Level

    61/ 10039

    Digital Government

    79/ 10053

    Document Requirements

    66/ 10059

    Language Requirements

    92/ 10054

    Legal System

    84/ 10049

    Rights & Freedoms

    Chicago

    84
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    51

    Freedom of Speech

    91/ 10033

    Religious Freedom

    90/ 10071

    Women's Rights

    81/ 10062

    LGBTQ+ Rights

    87/ 10038

    Worker Rights

    71/ 10052

    Family & Children

    Chicago

    69
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    63

    In family & children, Chicago takes the lead with a score of 69/100 compared to 63/100. This category covers child-friendly infrastructure, family services.

    Chicago has a solid advantage in child-friendly infrastructure (75 vs 59).

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

    Child-Friendly Infrastructure

    Chicago

    75
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    59

    Playgrounds

    84/ 10051

    Kid Activities

    84/ 10062

    Child Safety

    51/ 10064

    Pediatric Care

    81/ 10066

    Baby/Toddler Facilities

    74/ 10053

    Family Services

    Chicago

    64
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    66

    Childcare Availability

    59/ 10061

    Childcare Costs

    41/ 10071

    School Holidays

    71/ 10062

    Extracurricular Activities

    83/ 10065

    Family Housing

    64/ 10072

    Practical Considerations

    Chicago

    76
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    62

    In practical considerations, Chicago takes the lead with a score of 76/100 compared to 62/100. This category covers transportation costs, special services, communication, emergency services.

    Chicago has a commanding lead in special services (80 vs 60). Chicago has a solid advantage in communication (78 vs 61). Chicago has a solid advantage in emergency services (82 vs 65).

    Chicago 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

    Chicago

    66
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    62

    Fuel Prices

    59/ 10076

    Gas Station Density

    89/ 10079

    EV Infrastructure

    66/ 10024

    Vehicle Costs

    54/ 10062

    Vehicle Maintenance

    64/ 10071

    Special Services

    Chicago

    80
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    60

    Moving Services

    79/ 10059

    Storage Facilities

    74/ 10049

    Translation Services

    82/ 10068

    Legal Services

    84/ 10064

    Accounting Services

    80/ 10061

    Communication

    Chicago

    78
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    61

    Postal Reliability

    73/ 10055

    Package Import

    64/ 10052

    Language Learning

    94/ 10059

    International Calling

    81/ 10079

    Emergency Services

    Chicago

    82
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    65

    Emergency Response

    81/ 10061

    Emergency Healthcare

    86/ 10069

    Emergency Numbers

    90/ 10080

    Natural Disaster Preparedness

    71/ 10048

    Specific to Your Profile

    Chicago

    71
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    62

    In specific to your profile, Chicago takes the lead with a score of 71/100 compared to 62/100. This category covers remote work specific, personal circumstances.

    Chicago has a solid advantage in personal circumstances (71 vs 56).

    Chicago stands out for language skills, dietary requirements, video call quality, though citizenship advantages and time zone alignment could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in video call quality and cafรฉ laptop culture despite the overall gap.

    Remote Work Specific

    Chicago

    72
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    72

    Time Zone Alignment

    34/ 10070

    Coworking Day Passes

    81/ 10069

    Cafรฉ Laptop Culture

    85/ 10083

    Video Call Quality

    87/ 10084

    Tech Ecosystem

    74/ 10052

    Personal Circumstances

    Chicago

    71
    / 100

    Phnom Penh

    56

    Citizenship Advantages

    28/ 10049

    Partner Citizenship Advantages

    50/ 10041

    Industry Presence

    71/ 10050

    Language Skills

    96/ 10047

    Religious/Cultural Fit

    81/ 10069

    Dietary Requirements

    91/ 10073

    Hobby Availability

    84/ 10064

    Pet Import Rules

    63/ 10053

    The Verdict: Chicago or Phnom Penh?

    With an overall score of 72.99/100 versus 63.01/100, Chicago leads on paper. But the "better" city ultimately depends on what matters most to you.

    Chicago excels in quality of life, infrastructure & connectivity, daily life & services. Phnom Penh leads in economic factors, housing & living spaces.

    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 Chicago vs Phnom Penh Live