Side-by-side city decision # Siem Reap vs Athens. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link Siem ReapCambodia2/6 VS AthensGreece2/6 $835Siem Reap monthly budget $1,532Athens monthly budget 45 MbpsSiem Reap internet 112 MbpsAthens internet Decision summary No universal winner The result is balanced. Your priorities should decide the better fit. Cost Best budget Siem Reap Speed Fastest internet Athens Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety Siem Reap Air Cleanest air Tie Walk Most walkable Athens Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Siem Reap](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/cambodia/siem-reap.md) Cambodia 2/6 Budget$835 Internet45 Mbps Vibe8/10 [Athens](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/greece/athens.md) Greece 2/6 Budget$1,532 Internet112 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 MetricSiem ReapAthens Total estimated budget $835 $1,532 1-bed center rent $350 $900 Coworking desk $95 $220 Local meal $3 $13 Cappuccino $2.4 $4.1 Gym membership $35 $42 Transport budget $65 $32 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricSiem ReapAthens Internet speed 45 Mbps 112 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricSiem ReapAthens Safety index 68/100 62/100 Air quality 63/100 63/100 Walkability 7/10 8/10 Female safety 7/10 7/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 6/10 7/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricSiem ReapAthens Healthcare quality Average Good English proficiency Good Good Climate type Tropical monsoon Mediterranean Best time to visit Nov - Feb Apr - Jun 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. [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 [Athens](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/greece/athens.md) Greece → ### Strengths * Walkable historic neighborhoods with year-round cultural life * Lower living costs than many Western European capitals * Strong café culture and an expanding remote-work scene * Reliable fiber internet and widespread 4G and 5G coverage * Excellent access to islands, beaches, and mainland Greece * Mild winters and abundant sunshine ### Trade-offs * Summer heatwaves can make the city uncomfortable * Central rents have risen sharply in popular districts * Traffic, noise, and motorcycle exhaust are common * Bureaucracy can be slow and paperwork-heavy * Petty theft requires care in crowded tourist areas * Some older apartments have poor insulation and heating ### Common visa routes * Schengen short-stay visa or visa-free entry: up to 90 days in any 180-day period * Greece Digital Nomad Visa: residence route for eligible remote workers meeting income requirements * Greek Financially Independent Person residence permit: option for applicants with sufficient passive income 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.