Side-by-side city decision # Sihanoukville vs Koh Samui. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link SihanoukvilleCambodia1/6 VS Koh SamuiThailand4/6 $820Sihanoukville monthly budget $1,250Koh Samui monthly budget 35 MbpsSihanoukville internet 180 MbpsKoh Samui internet Decision summary Koh Samui Koh Samui leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Sihanoukville Speed Fastest internet Koh Samui Vibe Best nomad vibe Koh Samui Safety Highest safety Koh Samui Air Cleanest air Koh Samui Walk Most walkable Tie Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Sihanoukville](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/cambodia/sihanoukville.md) Cambodia 1/6 Budget$820 Internet35 Mbps Vibe5/10 [Koh Samui](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/thailand/koh-samui.md) Thailand 4/6 Budget$1,250 Internet180 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 MetricSihanoukvilleKoh Samui Total estimated budget $820 $1,250 1-bed center rent $380 $650 Coworking desk $100 $145 Local meal $3 $2.8 Cappuccino $2.4 $2.4 Gym membership $35 $55 Transport budget $70 $120 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricSihanoukvilleKoh Samui Internet speed 35 Mbps 180 Mbps Nomad vibe 5/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricSihanoukvilleKoh Samui Safety index 54/100 76/100 Air quality 67/100 82/100 Walkability 4/10 4/10 Female safety 5/10 7/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 5/10 7/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricSihanoukvilleKoh Samui Healthcare quality Poor Good English proficiency Basic Good Climate type Tropical monsoon Tropical monsoon Best time to visit Nov - Mar Jan - Mar 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. [Sihanoukville](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/cambodia/sihanoukville.md) Cambodia → ### Strengths * Lower rents than Phnom Penh and major Thai beach destinations * Easy access to beaches and nearby islands * Warm weather year-round * USD is widely accepted alongside Cambodian riel * Relaxed pace outside the casino corridors * Airport offers useful regional connections ### Trade-offs * Limited coworking spaces and inconsistent home internet * Rapid development has left parts of town dusty and noisy * Healthcare options are limited for serious conditions * Scooters are often necessary for daily life * Casino-focused areas can feel chaotic and impersonal * Rainy-season flooding and outages can disrupt routines ### Common visa routes * Tourist Visa (T-class), typically extendable once for a short stay * Ordinary Visa (E-class) with EB extension for business or longer stays * Visa on Arrival or e-Visa for eligible nationalities [Koh Samui](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/thailand/koh-samui.md) Thailand → ### Strengths * Relaxed island lifestyle with excellent beaches * Strong international remote-worker community * Fast fiber internet and widespread 5G * Good selection of cafes, gyms, and wellness services * Generally safe with quality private healthcare * More peaceful and spacious than Phuket ### Trade-offs * Scooter dependence and limited public transport * Rental prices rise sharply in high season * Heavy rain and localized flooding from October to December * Road safety can be a serious concern * Island goods and imported products cost more * Airport flights can be relatively expensive ### Common visa routes * Visa Exemption * Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) * Non-Immigrant 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.