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    Phnom Penh vs Vienna: A Complete Data-Driven Comparison

    ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ญ

    Phnom Penh

    Cambodia ยท $700/mo

    0.00
    Total
    0.00
    Nomad
    ๐ŸŽป

    Vienna

    Austria ยท $2,500/mo

    0.00
    Total
    0.00
    Nomad

    Choosing between Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Vienna, Austria 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 Phnom Penh and Vienna 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.

    Phnom Penh earns an overall score of 63.01/100, while Vienna scores 78.58/100. A 15.57-point significant gap that Vienna leads. But headline scores never tell the full story. Let's break down exactly where each city excels and where it falls short.

    Phnom Penh is described as: "Cambodia's rapidly developing capital. Ultra-cheap with a growing expat scene." Meanwhile, Vienna is known as: "Consistently rated the world's most livable city. Imperial charm meets modern efficiency." These reputations are earned. But how do they hold up under rigorous data analysis? Read on.

    Economic Factors

    Phnom Penh

    69
    / 100

    Vienna

    73

    In economic factors, Vienna takes the lead with a score of 73/100 compared to 69/100. This category covers employment & income, cost factors, economic environment.

    Vienna has a solid advantage in employment & income (71 vs 53).

    Vienna stands out for transportation costs, currency stability, economic stability, though tax rates and business regulations could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in daily living costs and housing costs despite the overall gap.

    Employment & Income

    Phnom Penh

    53
    / 100

    Vienna

    71

    Job Market Strength

    48/ 10078

    Salary Levels

    37/ 10076

    Freelance/Remote Work Market

    72/ 10062

    Entrepreneurship Environment

    56/ 10068

    Cost Factors

    Phnom Penh

    78
    / 100

    Vienna

    75

    Housing Costs

    88/ 10064

    Daily Living Costs

    91/ 10058

    Transportation Costs

    87/ 10094

    Entertainment Costs

    82/ 10062

    Healthcare Costs

    76/ 10088

    Education Costs

    42/ 10085

    Economic Environment

    Phnom Penh

    73
    / 100

    Vienna

    71

    Tax Rates

    79/ 10032

    Business Regulations

    58/ 10054

    Economic Stability

    74/ 10089

    Currency Stability

    88/ 10091

    Banking System

    64/ 10088

    Quality of Life

    Phnom Penh

    54
    / 100

    Vienna

    82

    In quality of life, Vienna takes the lead with a score of 82/100 compared to 54/100. This category covers healthcare, education, safety & environment, climate & nature.

    Vienna has a solid advantage in healthcare (85 vs 66). Vienna has a commanding lead in education (88 vs 60). Vienna has a commanding lead in safety & environment (87 vs 49).

    Vienna stands out for water quality, green spaces, vocational training, though beach/water access and sunshine hours could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in english-speaking medical staff and healthcare affordability despite the overall gap.

    Healthcare

    Phnom Penh

    66
    / 100

    Vienna

    85

    Healthcare Quality

    64/ 10093

    Healthcare Accessibility

    68/ 10091

    Healthcare Affordability

    77/ 10087

    English-Speaking Medical Staff

    79/ 10082

    Mental Health Services

    46/ 10079

    Dental Care

    61/ 10076

    Education

    Phnom Penh

    60
    / 100

    Vienna

    88

    School Quality

    67/ 10089

    International Schools

    74/ 10084

    Universities

    51/ 10092

    Language Schools

    63/ 10081

    Vocational Training

    43/ 10095

    Safety & Environment

    Phnom Penh

    49
    / 100

    Vienna

    87

    Crime Rates

    53/ 10086

    Personal Safety

    63/ 10092

    Political Stability

    72/ 10088

    Natural Disaster Risk

    47/ 10094

    Air Quality

    38/ 10081

    Water Quality

    32/ 10098

    Noise Pollution

    41/ 10072

    Climate & Nature

    Phnom Penh

    45
    / 100

    Vienna

    70

    Climate Suitability

    59/ 10064

    Sunshine Hours

    68/ 10051

    Rainfall Patterns

    49/ 10068

    Natural Beauty

    54/ 10086

    Green Spaces

    44/ 10097

    Beach/Water Access

    22/ 10035

    Mountains/Hiking

    18/ 10089

    Infrastructure & Connectivity

    Phnom Penh

    61
    / 100

    Vienna

    78

    In infrastructure & connectivity, Vienna takes the lead with a score of 78/100 compared to 61/100. This category covers transportation, connectivity, digital infrastructure.

    Vienna has a commanding lead in transportation (79 vs 52). Vienna has a solid advantage in connectivity (73 vs 55).

    Vienna stands out for public transport quality, public transport coverage, train connections, though ferry connections and car ownership necessity could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in public transport affordability and internet cost despite the overall gap.

    Transportation

    Phnom Penh

    52
    / 100

    Vienna

    79

    Public Transport Quality

    49/ 10098

    Public Transport Coverage

    46/ 10097

    Public Transport Affordability

    89/ 10096

    Bike Infrastructure

    24/ 10085

    Walkability

    39/ 10096

    Traffic Congestion

    31/ 10074

    Driving Conditions

    36/ 10071

    Taxi/Rideshare

    84/ 10079

    Car Ownership Necessity

    71/ 10018

    Connectivity

    Phnom Penh

    55
    / 100

    Vienna

    73

    Airport Connectivity

    71/ 10084

    Airport Distance

    78/ 10089

    Train Connections

    19/ 10097

    Bus Connections

    69/ 10082

    Ferry Connections

    37/ 10012

    Digital Infrastructure

    Phnom Penh

    78
    / 100

    Vienna

    81

    Internet Speed

    86/ 10081

    Internet Reliability

    79/ 10089

    Internet Cost

    88/ 10074

    Mobile Network Quality

    87/ 10087

    Coworking Spaces

    71/ 10078

    Public WiFi

    58/ 10076

    Housing & Living Spaces

    Phnom Penh

    70
    / 100

    Vienna

    73

    In housing & living spaces, Vienna takes the lead with a score of 73/100 compared to 70/100. This category covers housing market, neighborhoods.

    Vienna has a solid advantage in neighborhoods (80 vs 70).

    Vienna stands out for proximity to amenities, landlord regulations, housing quality, though purchase prices and rental availability could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in rental costs and purchase prices despite the overall gap.

    Housing Market

    Phnom Penh

    70
    / 100

    Vienna

    69

    Rental Availability

    76/ 10042

    Rental Costs

    89/ 10068

    Purchase Prices

    84/ 10041

    Housing Quality

    54/ 10089

    Housing Variety

    66/ 10082

    Landlord Regulations

    52/ 10091

    Neighborhoods

    Phnom Penh

    70
    / 100

    Vienna

    80

    Neighborhood Diversity

    69/ 10079

    Expat/International Areas

    78/ 10081

    Gentrification Trends

    57/ 10064

    Proximity to Amenities

    74/ 10095

    Daily Life & Services

    Phnom Penh

    71
    / 100

    Vienna

    83

    In daily life & services, Vienna takes the lead with a score of 83/100 compared to 71/100. This category covers shopping & retail, food & dining, essential services, utilities & connectivity.

    Vienna has a solid advantage in essential services (86 vs 67). Vienna has a commanding lead in utilities & connectivity (86 vs 65).

    Vienna stands out for cafรฉ culture, water reliability, electricity reliability, though opening hours and utility costs could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in street food and restaurant affordability despite the overall gap.

    Shopping & Retail

    Phnom Penh

    70
    / 100

    Vienna

    79

    Supermarket Availability

    71/ 10094

    Shopping Mall Quantity

    64/ 10078

    Shopping Mall Quality

    62/ 10084

    International Brands

    66/ 10091

    Local Markets

    87/ 10089

    Opening Hours

    76/ 10035

    E-commerce

    61/ 10082

    Food & Dining

    Phnom Penh

    83
    / 100

    Vienna

    83

    Restaurant Variety

    83/ 10088

    Restaurant Quality

    76/ 10092

    Restaurant Affordability

    91/ 10064

    Cafรฉ Culture

    79/ 10099

    Street Food

    94/ 10058

    Alcohol Availability

    78/ 10094

    Food Delivery

    78/ 10086

    Essential Services

    Phnom Penh

    67
    / 100

    Vienna

    86

    Pharmacy Density

    79/ 10092

    24-Hour Pharmacies

    59/ 10076

    Medicine Availability

    71/ 10094

    Postal Services

    54/ 10088

    Banking Services

    73/ 10091

    Laundry Services

    69/ 10072

    Repair Services

    64/ 10079

    Hair Salons/Barbers

    81/ 10092

    Pet Services

    52/ 10087

    Utilities & Connectivity

    Phnom Penh

    65
    / 100

    Vienna

    86

    Electricity Reliability

    69/ 10098

    Water Reliability

    64/ 10099

    Utility Costs

    83/ 10052

    Heating/Cooling

    57/ 10084

    Waste Management

    51/ 10096

    Cultural & Social Life

    Phnom Penh

    60
    / 100

    Vienna

    81

    In cultural & social life, Vienna takes the lead with a score of 81/100 compared to 60/100. This category covers culture & entertainment, social life, community.

    Vienna has a commanding lead in culture & entertainment (94 vs 58). Vienna has a commanding lead in social life (78 vs 57).

    Vienna stands out for theaters & performing arts, museums & galleries, music scene, though local friendliness and expat integration could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in local friendliness and historical sites despite the overall gap.

    Culture & Entertainment

    Phnom Penh

    58
    / 100

    Vienna

    94

    Museums & Galleries

    61/ 10098

    Historical Sites

    84/ 10097

    Theaters & Performing Arts

    41/ 10099

    Music Scene

    59/ 10098

    Cinema Options

    64/ 10084

    Libraries

    42/ 10089

    Art Scene

    52/ 10092

    Social Life

    Phnom Penh

    57
    / 100

    Vienna

    78

    Nightlife Quality

    68/ 10074

    Nightlife Safety

    54/ 10091

    Festival Calendar

    71/ 10088

    Sports Culture

    49/ 10076

    Social Clubs

    61/ 10072

    Dating Scene

    56/ 10058

    LGBTQ+ Scene

    41/ 10084

    Community

    Phnom Penh

    67
    / 100

    Vienna

    69

    Local Friendliness

    89/ 10048

    Expat Community Size

    64/ 10086

    Expat Integration

    69/ 10054

    Language Barriers

    49/ 10062

    Cultural Events

    66/ 10095

    Professional & Career

    Phnom Penh

    65
    / 100

    Vienna

    77

    In professional & career, Vienna takes the lead with a score of 77/100 compared to 65/100. This category covers business environment, work environment, market opportunities.

    Vienna has a commanding lead in business environment (78 vs 53).

    Vienna stands out for time zone, work-life balance, internet for work, though business visa options and freelance market could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in business visa options and internet for work despite the overall gap.

    Business Environment

    Phnom Penh

    53
    / 100

    Vienna

    78

    Industry Clusters

    46/ 10076

    Major Companies

    41/ 10081

    Startup Ecosystem

    55/ 10072

    Coworking Culture

    70/ 10078

    Professional Networking

    54/ 10074

    Business Associations

    51/ 10084

    Work Environment

    Phnom Penh

    81
    / 100

    Vienna

    80

    Work-Life Balance

    78/ 10092

    Remote Work Acceptance

    74/ 10068

    Internet for Work

    89/ 10089

    Time Zone

    71/ 10098

    Business Visa Options

    91/ 10052

    Market Opportunities

    Phnom Penh

    65
    / 100

    Vienna

    70

    Client Base

    52/ 10074

    Freelance Market

    71/ 10061

    Competition Level

    73/ 10076

    Lifestyle & Pace

    Phnom Penh

    64
    / 100

    Vienna

    75

    In lifestyle & pace, Vienna takes the lead with a score of 75/100 compared to 64/100. This category covers daily rhythm, lifestyle options, tourism impact.

    Vienna has a commanding lead in lifestyle options (87 vs 56).

    Vienna stands out for tourist infrastructure, weekend culture, family orientation, though shop opening hours and tourist volume could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in pace of life and authenticity despite the overall gap.

    Daily Rhythm

    Phnom Penh

    73
    / 100

    Vienna

    73

    Pace of Life

    81/ 10074

    Working Hours Culture

    69/ 10088

    Dining Hours

    72/ 10082

    Shop Opening Hours

    75/ 10028

    Weekend Culture

    68/ 10095

    Lifestyle Options

    Phnom Penh

    56
    / 100

    Vienna

    87

    Outdoor Lifestyle

    51/ 10089

    Fitness Culture

    54/ 10078

    Health Consciousness

    49/ 10084

    Pet Friendliness

    58/ 10091

    Family Orientation

    69/ 10094

    Tourism Impact

    Phnom Penh

    64
    / 100

    Vienna

    64

    Tourist Volume

    62/ 10038

    Tourism Seasonality

    53/ 10062

    Tourist Infrastructure

    68/ 10096

    Authenticity

    79/ 10081

    Crowding

    57/ 10044

    Legal & Administrative

    Phnom Penh

    57
    / 100

    Vienna

    64

    In legal & administrative, Vienna takes the lead with a score of 64/100 compared to 57/100. This category covers visa & residency, administration, rights & freedoms.

    Phnom Penh has a commanding lead in visa & residency (70 vs 50). Vienna has a commanding lead in rights & freedoms (93 vs 51).

    Vienna stands out for deportation risk, worker rights, religious freedom, though citizenship pathway and language requirements could be improved. Phnom Penh performs well in visa requirements and residency options despite the overall gap.

    Visa & Residency

    Phnom Penh

    70
    / 100

    Vienna

    50

    Visa Requirements

    90/ 10042

    Residency Options

    84/ 10048

    Residency Process

    76/ 10036

    Citizenship Pathway

    21/ 10024

    Deportation Risk

    81/ 10098

    Administration

    Phnom Penh

    51
    / 100

    Vienna

    51

    Bureaucracy Level

    39/ 10031

    Digital Government

    53/ 10074

    Document Requirements

    59/ 10034

    Language Requirements

    54/ 10028

    Legal System

    49/ 10088

    Rights & Freedoms

    Phnom Penh

    51
    / 100

    Vienna

    93

    Freedom of Speech

    33/ 10092

    Religious Freedom

    71/ 10094

    Women's Rights

    62/ 10092

    LGBTQ+ Rights

    38/ 10089

    Worker Rights

    52/ 10096

    Family & Children

    Phnom Penh

    63
    / 100

    Vienna

    88

    In family & children, Vienna takes the lead with a score of 88/100 compared to 63/100. This category covers child-friendly infrastructure, family services.

    Vienna has a commanding lead in child-friendly infrastructure (94 vs 59). Vienna has a solid advantage in family services (82 vs 66).

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

    Child-Friendly Infrastructure

    Phnom Penh

    59
    / 100

    Vienna

    94

    Playgrounds

    51/ 10098

    Kid Activities

    62/ 10094

    Child Safety

    64/ 10096

    Pediatric Care

    66/ 10091

    Baby/Toddler Facilities

    53/ 10089

    Family Services

    Phnom Penh

    66
    / 100

    Vienna

    82

    Childcare Availability

    61/ 10084

    Childcare Costs

    71/ 10092

    School Holidays

    62/ 10068

    Extracurricular Activities

    65/ 10088

    Family Housing

    72/ 10076

    Practical Considerations

    Phnom Penh

    62
    / 100

    Vienna

    82

    In practical considerations, Vienna takes the lead with a score of 82/100 compared to 62/100. This category covers transportation costs, special services, communication, emergency services.

    Vienna has a commanding lead in special services (83 vs 60). Vienna has a commanding lead in communication (88 vs 61). Vienna has a commanding lead in emergency services (96 vs 65).

    Vienna stands out for emergency numbers, emergency response, emergency healthcare, 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

    Phnom Penh

    62
    / 100

    Vienna

    63

    Fuel Prices

    76/ 10048

    Gas Station Density

    79/ 10079

    EV Infrastructure

    24/ 10084

    Vehicle Costs

    62/ 10042

    Vehicle Maintenance

    71/ 10064

    Special Services

    Phnom Penh

    60
    / 100

    Vienna

    83

    Moving Services

    59/ 10082

    Storage Facilities

    49/ 10074

    Translation Services

    68/ 10086

    Legal Services

    64/ 10088

    Accounting Services

    61/ 10084

    Communication

    Phnom Penh

    61
    / 100

    Vienna

    88

    Postal Reliability

    55/ 10094

    Package Import

    52/ 10078

    Language Learning

    59/ 10089

    International Calling

    79/ 10092

    Emergency Services

    Phnom Penh

    65
    / 100

    Vienna

    96

    Emergency Response

    61/ 10097

    Emergency Healthcare

    69/ 10096

    Emergency Numbers

    80/ 10098

    Natural Disaster Preparedness

    48/ 10092

    Specific to Your Profile

    Phnom Penh

    62
    / 100

    Vienna

    81

    In specific to your profile, Vienna takes the lead with a score of 81/100 compared to 62/100. This category covers remote work specific, personal circumstances.

    Vienna has a commanding lead in personal circumstances (83 vs 56).

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

    Remote Work Specific

    Phnom Penh

    72
    / 100

    Vienna

    78

    Time Zone Alignment

    70/ 10098

    Coworking Day Passes

    69/ 10076

    Cafรฉ Laptop Culture

    83/ 10054

    Video Call Quality

    84/ 10092

    Tech Ecosystem

    52/ 10071

    Personal Circumstances

    Phnom Penh

    56
    / 100

    Vienna

    83

    Citizenship Advantages

    49/ 10096

    Partner Citizenship Advantages

    41/ 10084

    Industry Presence

    50/ 10078

    Language Skills

    47/ 10058

    Religious/Cultural Fit

    69/ 10084

    Dietary Requirements

    73/ 10088

    Hobby Availability

    64/ 10094

    Pet Import Rules

    53/ 10079

    The Verdict: Phnom Penh or Vienna?

    With an overall score of 78.58/100 versus 63.01/100, Vienna leads on paper. But the "better" city ultimately depends on what matters most to you.

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

    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 Phnom Penh vs Vienna Live