Siem Reap vs Battambang
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Siem Reap leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Battambang where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Battambang's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Siem Reap | Battambang |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 62 | 62 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 49 | 50 |
| Climate | 71 | 70 |
| Safety | 68 | 68 |
| Summer °C | 29.8 | 30.1 |
| Winter °C | 24.6 | 24.9 |
| Top disaster risk | flooding | flooding |
Siem Reap vs Battambang: the short answer
Battambang comes out ahead on overall livability (62/100), only marginally above Siem Reap (62/100). The two cities diverge most on cost of living. On affordability Battambang is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Siem Reap 49 vs Battambang 50, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Battambang runs warmer in summer (about 30.1°C peak vs 29.8°C in Siem Reap), while winter lows sit near 24.6°C in Siem Reap and 24.9°C in Battambang. On natural-disaster exposure Battambang is the safer choice (safety 68/100); the dominant modelled hazard is flooding for Siem Reap and flooding for Battambang.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Battambang — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Battambang — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Battambang — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Battambang — 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 Siem Reap or Battambang better to live in?
Battambang scores higher overall — 62 vs 62 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Siem Reap or Battambang?
Battambang has the lower cost of living (cost index 50 vs 49; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Siem Reap or Battambang?
Battambang — summer highs reach about 30.1°C versus 29.8°C in Siem Reap.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Siem Reap or Battambang?
Battambang (disaster-safety 68/100). Main hazard: flooding in Siem Reap, flooding in Battambang.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Siem Reap?
flooding is the dominant modelled hazard for Siem Reap on our risk index.
How is the Siem Reap vs Battambang 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.