Side-by-side city decision # Phnom Penh vs Santiago de Cuba. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link Phnom PenhCambodia2/6 VS Santiago de CubaCuba4/6 $925Phnom Penh monthly budget $795Santiago de Cuba monthly budget 45 MbpsPhnom Penh internet 12 MbpsSantiago de Cuba internet Decision summary Santiago de Cuba Santiago de Cuba leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Santiago de Cuba Speed Fastest internet Phnom Penh Vibe Best nomad vibe Phnom Penh Safety Highest safety Santiago de Cuba Air Cleanest air Santiago de Cuba Walk Most walkable Santiago de Cuba Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Phnom Penh](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/cambodia/phnom-penh.md) Cambodia 2/6 Budget$925 Internet45 Mbps Vibe7/10 [Santiago de Cuba](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/cuba/santiago-de-cuba.md) Cuba 4/6 Budget$795 Internet12 Mbps Vibe6/10 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 MetricPhnom PenhSantiago de Cuba Total estimated budget $925 $795 1-bed center rent $450 $450 Coworking desk $110 $100 Local meal $3 $4.5 Cappuccino $2.4 $1.8 Gym membership $38 $20 Transport budget $55 $25 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricPhnom PenhSantiago de Cuba Internet speed 45 Mbps 12 Mbps Nomad vibe 7/10 6/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricPhnom PenhSantiago de Cuba Safety index 57/100 62/100 Air quality 53/100 74/100 Walkability 5/10 7/10 Female safety 6/10 6/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 6/10 5/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricPhnom PenhSantiago de Cuba Healthcare quality Average Average English proficiency Average Basic Climate type Tropical monsoon Tropical savanna Best time to visit Nov - Feb Nov - Apr 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. [Phnom Penh](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/cambodia/phnom-penh.md) Cambodia → ### Strengths * Low everyday costs compared with many regional capitals * Large and established international community * English is widely used in central expat areas * Affordable local food and international dining * Convenient ride-hailing through Grab and PassApp * Long-stay visa extensions are relatively accessible ### Trade-offs * Hot, humid weather for much of the year * Traffic, uneven sidewalks, and limited pedestrian infrastructure * Petty theft and phone-snatching require vigilance * Tap water is not safe to drink * Air quality can worsen during the dry season * Healthcare is adequate but limited for complex treatment ### Common visa routes * Tourist Visa (T), typically 30 days and extendable once * Ordinary Visa (E), extendable through approved agents for longer stays * Business Extension of Stay (EB), for eligible workers and business travelers [Santiago de Cuba](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/cuba/santiago-de-cuba.md) Cuba → ### Strengths * Low local food and transport costs * Rich Afro-Cuban music and cultural heritage * Walkable historic center * Warm weather throughout the year * Less touristy atmosphere than Havana * Close access to beaches and mountain scenery ### Trade-offs * Internet is slow, costly, and can be unreliable * Frequent shortages of food and household goods * Cash is essential for daily transactions * Few formal coworking spaces * Limited English outside tourism businesses * Power and water interruptions can occur ### Common visa routes * Tourist Card * Family Visa * Business Visa 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.