Side-by-side city decision # Recife vs Siem Reap. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link RecifeBrazil2/6 VS Siem ReapCambodia4/6 $895Recife monthly budget $835Siem Reap monthly budget 180 MbpsRecife internet 45 MbpsSiem Reap internet Decision summary Siem Reap Siem Reap leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Siem Reap Speed Fastest internet Recife Vibe Best nomad vibe Siem Reap Safety Highest safety Siem Reap Air Cleanest air Recife Walk Most walkable Siem Reap Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Recife](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/brazil/recife.md) Brazil 2/6 Budget$895 Internet180 Mbps Vibe7/10 [Siem Reap](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/cambodia/siem-reap.md) Cambodia 4/6 Budget$835 Internet45 Mbps Vibe8/10 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 MetricRecifeSiem Reap Total estimated budget $895 $835 1-bed center rent $430 $350 Coworking desk $150 $95 Local meal $6.5 $3 Cappuccino $2.2 $2.4 Gym membership $35 $35 Transport budget $55 $65 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricRecifeSiem Reap Internet speed 180 Mbps 45 Mbps Nomad vibe 7/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricRecifeSiem Reap Safety index 38/100 68/100 Air quality 72/100 63/100 Walkability 6/10 7/10 Female safety 5/10 7/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 7/10 6/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricRecifeSiem Reap Healthcare quality Good Average English proficiency Basic Good Climate type Tropical monsoon Tropical monsoon Best time to visit Sep - Mar 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. [Recife](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/brazil/recife.md) Brazil → ### Strengths * Low day-to-day costs compared with major Brazilian cities * Long urban beaches and a warm tropical climate * Strong local food, music, and Carnival culture * Fast fiber internet is widely available in central areas * Reliable app-based ride hailing and metro connections * Friendly, sociable atmosphere with access to historic Olinda ### Trade-offs * Street crime and phone theft require consistent caution * Humidity, heat, and heavy rain can be intense * English is not widely spoken outside tourism settings * Traffic can be slow and stressful at rush hour * Sidewalk quality and pedestrian accessibility are uneven * The rainy season can bring flooding and internet disruptions ### Common visa routes * Visa-free tourist stay for eligible nationalities, generally up to 90 days and extendable to 180 days * Brazil Digital Nomad Visa, typically valid for up to one year with renewal possibilities * Visitor visa for nationalities not eligible for visa-free entry [Siem Reap](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/cambodia/siem-reap.md) Cambodia → ### Strengths * Very affordable apartments, meals, and daily services * Relaxed pace with a strong remote-worker scene * Excellent access to Angkor Archaeological Park * English is widely used in tourism and hospitality * Compact central neighborhoods are easy to explore * Large choice of cafés with workable Wi-Fi ### Trade-offs * Intense heat and humidity for much of the year * Healthcare options are limited for serious medical needs * Power and internet can be less reliable during heavy storms * Tap water is not safe to drink * The new airport is far from the city center * Tourism can make central streets noisy and repetitive ### Common visa routes * Tourist Visa (T-class, 30 days, extendable once) * Ordinary Visa (E-class, renewable with long-stay extensions) * Visa exemption not generally available for most Western passport holders 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.