Side-by-side city decision # Bilbao vs Siem Reap. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link BilbaoSpain3 VS Siem ReapCambodia1 $1,450Bilbao monthly budget $850Siem Reap monthly budget 100 MbpsBilbao internet 30 MbpsSiem Reap internet Decision summary Bilbao Bilbao leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Siem Reap Speed Fastest internet Bilbao Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety Bilbao Air Cleanest air Tie Walk Most walkable Bilbao Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Bilbao](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/spain/bilbao.md) Spain 3/6 Budget$1,450 Internet100 Mbps Vibe7/10 [Siem Reap](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/cambodia/siem-reap.md) Cambodia 1/6 Budget$850 Internet30 Mbps Vibe7/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals Total estimated budget $1,450 $850 1-bed center rent $800 $450 Coworking desk $170 $100 Local meal $14 $4 Cappuccino $2.7 $2.5 Gym membership $45 $40 Transport budget $50 $50 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals Internet speed 100 Mbps 30 Mbps Nomad vibe 7/10 7/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals Safety index 75/100 60/100 Air quality 70/100 70/100 Walkability 8/10 6/10 Female safety 8/10 6/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 7/10 5/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals Healthcare quality Good Average English proficiency Average Average Climate type Oceanic Tropical monsoon Best time to visit May - Sep Nov - Feb Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Bilbao](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/spain/bilbao.md) Spain → ### Strengths * Excellent pintxos and culinary scene * Compact and highly walkable city * Rich Basque culture and festivals * Good public transportation network * Beautiful surrounding nature and coast * Relatively affordable compared to Madrid/Barcelona ### Trade-offs * Frequent rain and overcast weather * Basque language can be a barrier * Limited English in daily interactions * Smaller expat community than other Spanish cities * High humidity in winter * Hilly terrain may be challenging for cycling ### Common visa routes * Schengen Tourist Visa (90 days) * Non-Lucrative Visa * Digital Nomad Visa [Siem Reap](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/cambodia/siem-reap.md) Cambodia → ### Strengths * Very affordable cost of living * Rich cultural heritage with Angkor Wat * Friendly local community * Plenty of cafes and coworking spaces * Easy access to temples and nature * Growing digital nomad scene ### Trade-offs * Hot and humid climate most of the year * Frequent power outages * Limited healthcare facilities * Tap water is not drinkable * Poor road infrastructure * Visa runs required every 30 days ### Common visa routes * Tourist visa (30 days, extendable) * Ordinary visa (E-class, 30 days) * Business visa (1 year multiple entry) Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.