Compare countries · Cambodia vs Vietnam
Cambodia vs Vietnam
Across 12 comparable indicators: Cambodia leads on 1, Vietnam on 10, 1 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Cambodia cheaper than Vietnam?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Cambodia at 34.8 and Vietnam at 26.4. Vietnam is about 24% cheaper overall.
Is Cambodia or Vietnam safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Cambodia scores 2.08 and Vietnam scores 1.74. Vietnam ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Cambodia or Vietnam?
On the UN Human Development Index, Cambodia scores 0.606 and Vietnam scores 0.766. Vietnam scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Cambodia compared to Vietnam?
GNI per capita runs $2,750 in Cambodia against $4,970 in Vietnam; people live 70.8 years on average against 74.7; Numbeo users rate healthcare 52 against 62. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Cambodia
34.8
Better than 69% of countries
Vietnam
26.4
Better than 92% of countries
Vietnam: 24% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Cambodia
10.0
Better than 75% of countries
Vietnam
9.9
Better than 76% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Cambodia
2.08
Worse than 59% of countries
Vietnam
1.74
Better than 75% of countries
Vietnam: more peaceful (1.74 vs 2.08).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Cambodia
50.3
Worse than 64% of countries
Vietnam
59.9
Better than 62% of countries
Vietnam: higher perceived safety (59.9 vs 50.3).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Cambodia
0.606
Worse than 78% of countries
Vietnam
0.766
Around the global middle
Vietnam: higher human development (0.766 vs 0.606).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Cambodia
$8,543
Worse than 74% of countries
Vietnam
$18,088
Worse than 55% of countries
Vietnam: 112% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Cambodia
70.8 yrs
Worse than 66% of countries
Vietnam
74.7 yrs
Around the global middle
Vietnam: 3.9 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Cambodia
51.6
Worse than 88% of countries
Vietnam
62.2
Worse than 56% of countries
Vietnam: better-rated healthcare (62.2 vs 51.6).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Cambodia
52 Mbps
Worse than 70% of countries
Vietnam
289 Mbps
Better than 95% of countries
Vietnam: 457% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Cambodia
33/100
Worse than 84% of countries
Vietnam
21/100
Worse than 97% of countries
Cambodia: freer press (33 vs 21 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Cambodia
4.46
Worse than 82% of countries
Vietnam
6.43
Better than 69% of countries
Vietnam: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.43 vs 4.46).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Cambodia
390
Worse than 100% of countries
Vietnam
500
Worse than 56% of countries
Vietnam: stronger English proficiency (500 vs 390).
Not comparable for this pair
- Climate pleasantness: Numbeo doesn't publish a climate index for one of these countries.
Deciding between Cambodia and Vietnam for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Cambodia profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Vietnam profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.