Side-by-side city decision # San Juan vs Phnom Penh. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link San JuanUnited States (Puerto Rico)3 VS Phnom PenhCambodia1 $1,800San Juan monthly budget $1,000Phnom Penh monthly budget 55 MbpsSan Juan internet 30 MbpsPhnom Penh internet Decision summary San Juan San Juan leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Phnom Penh Speed Fastest internet San Juan Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety Tie Air Cleanest air San Juan Walk Most walkable San Juan Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [San Juan](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/puerto-rico/san-juan.md) United States (Puerto Rico) 3/6 Budget$1,800 Internet55 Mbps Vibe7/10 [Phnom Penh](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/cambodia/phnom-penh.md) Cambodia 1/6 Budget$1,000 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 $1,800 $1,000 1-bed center rent $1,100 $500 Coworking desk $200 $100 Local meal $12 $3.5 Cappuccino $3.8 $2.5 Gym membership $45 $40 Transport budget $60 $50 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals Internet speed 55 Mbps 30 Mbps Nomad vibe 7/10 7/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals Safety index 60/100 60/100 Air quality 75/100 60/100 Walkability 7/10 6/10 Female safety 7/10 7/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 8/10 6/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals Healthcare quality Average Average English proficiency Good Average Climate type Tropical monsoon Tropical monsoon Best time to visit Dec - Apr 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. [San Juan](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/puerto-rico/san-juan.md) United States (Puerto Rico) → ### Strengths * US territory – no currency exchange or SIM roaming issues * English widely spoken, easy integration for remote workers * Vibrant Latin-Caribbean culture with world-class beaches * Excellent internet speeds in most urban areas * No visa required for US citizens; simple entry for others * Strong digital nomad community in Condado and Old San Juan ### Trade-offs * High cost of living compared to mainland US expected? Actually cheaper than NYC but not bargain * Traffic congestion especially around rush hours * Hurricane season (June–November) can disrupt work and travel * Occasional power grid instability during storms * Property crime in some neighborhoods requires caution * Public transportation limited; car or Uber essential ### Common visa routes * No visa for US citizens (open stay) * B1/B2 tourist visa for others (up to 6 months) * ESTA not valid; visa required for non-US passport holders [Phnom Penh](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/cambodia/phnom-penh.md) Cambodia → ### Strengths * Extremely low cost of living * Friendly and welcoming locals * Delicious street food and local cuisine * Growing expat and digital nomad community * Visa on arrival and easy visa extensions * Rich history and cultural attractions ### Trade-offs * Chaotic traffic and frequent gridlock * Poor air quality during dry season * Tap water is unsafe to drink * Limited nightlife compared to Bangkok or Saigon * Occasional power outages and construction noise * Corruption and bureaucracy can be frustrating ### Common visa routes * Visa on arrival * eVisa * Business visa (E-class) 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.