Phnom Penh vs Pursat
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Phnom Penh leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Pursat where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Pursat's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Phnom Penh | Pursat |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 59 | 63 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 44 | 51 |
| Climate | 70 | 70 |
| Safety | 65 | 68 |
| Summer °C | 29.9 | 29.9 |
| Winter °C | 26.0 | 24.9 |
| Top disaster risk | flooding | flooding |
Phnom Penh vs Pursat: the short answer
Pursat comes out ahead on overall livability (63/100), modestly above Phnom Penh (59/100). The two cities diverge most on cost of living. On affordability Pursat is the cheaper base — a moderate gap on our cost index (Phnom Penh 44 vs Pursat 51, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Pursat runs warmer in summer (about 29.9°C peak vs 29.9°C in Phnom Penh), while winter lows sit near 26.0°C in Phnom Penh and 24.9°C in Pursat. On natural-disaster exposure Pursat is the safer choice (safety 68/100); the dominant modelled hazard is flooding for Phnom Penh and flooding for Pursat.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Pursat — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Pursat — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Pursat — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Pursat — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Phnom Penh or Pursat better to live in?
Pursat scores higher overall — 63 vs 59 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Phnom Penh or Pursat?
Pursat has the lower cost of living (cost index 51 vs 44; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Phnom Penh or Pursat?
Pursat — summer highs reach about 29.9°C versus 29.9°C in Phnom Penh.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Phnom Penh or Pursat?
Pursat (disaster-safety 68/100). Main hazard: flooding in Phnom Penh, flooding in Pursat.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Phnom Penh?
flooding is the dominant modelled hazard for Phnom Penh on our risk index.
How is the Phnom Penh vs Pursat comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.