Studio vs One-Bedroom in Phnom Penh: Which Is the Better Buy?

Prepared by the NovAsia Editorial Team

For most private investors in Phnom Penh, a one-bedroom apartment is the more versatile purchase. A separate bedroom appeals to couples, remote professionals and longer-term tenants, while the future buyer pool is usually broader. A studio has the advantage of a lower entry price, simpler furnishing and greater affordability for a single tenant, but only when the location is strong, the layout works and the price gap from a proper one-bedroom is meaningful.

The format name alone is not enough. Phnom Penh has studios of around 40–45 square meters and one-bedroom apartments of around 40–50 square meters, which means a poorly designed one-bedroom can feel smaller than a well-planned studio. Compare usable internal area, windows, storage, kitchen, monthly ownership costs and the actual demand in that building rather than relying on the label in the sales brochure.

What a studio and a one-bedroom actually mean

A studio combines the sleeping, living and kitchen areas in one main room. The bathroom is separate, while a balcony may or may not be included. Some developers use a glass wall, sliding partition or furniture to mark out the sleeping area, but the apartment still functions as a studio if there is no genuinely separate bedroom.

A one-bedroom apartment has a separate bedroom with a door and, in a good plan, its own window. The living room and kitchen form a second usable zone. One resident can separate sleeping from working, while a couple can use the spaces independently.

There are also hybrid formats:

• a studio with a sliding glass partition;
• a compact one-bedroom with no bedroom window;
• a loft with the bed on a mezzanine;
• a hotel-style unit without a real kitchen;
• a one-bedroom with a very small living room;
• a large studio divided later by furniture.

The label in the marketing material does not prove the quality of the layout. Buyers need a floor plan showing wall dimensions, windows, kitchen, bathroom, balcony and storage.

The table reflects a typical case. A large, bright studio can be more comfortable than a nominal one-bedroom with a dark internal bedroom.

Why the format name can be misleading

Developers and agents describe similar floor plans in different ways. One project may call 38 square meters a studio, while another sells 40 square meters as a one-bedroom. Listings sometimes even use the phrase “one-bedroom studio,” which does not clarify whether there is a separate room.

Current Phnom Penh stock shows considerable overlap in size. Some studios are around 35–45 square meters, while new one-bedroom units may start around 41–43 square meters. Premium and waterfront projects can offer much larger studios, but those belong to a different price and service segment.

Ask for four figures:

1. Gross area under the seller’s calculation.
2. Net or internal area inside the apartment.
3. Balcony area and whether it is included in the advertised size.
4. Any share of common areas included in the total.

A figure of 50 sq m is not meaningful until the measurement method is clear. In one development, most of that may be internal space. In another, it may include a balcony and allocated common area.

For investment comparison, calculate:

purchase price ÷ actual internal area

and separately:

monthly rent ÷ actual internal area

These metrics do not automatically identify the better apartment, but they show what the investor is paying for the space the tenant actually uses.

Entry price and the hidden cost of the cheaper apartment

The lower total price is the main advantage of a studio for an investor with limited capital.

However, not every ownership expense falls proportionally with size. Some costs are fixed or nearly fixed:

• furniture package;
• air conditioner;
• washing machine;
• television;
• kitchen appliances;
• curtains;
• internet;
• rental management;
• cleaning between tenants;
• minor repairs;
• listing costs;
• tenant screening;
• vacancy between leases.

Suppose a studio costs $55,000 and a one-bedroom costs $68,000. The difference is $13,000, or about 24% of the studio price. A complete studio furniture package might cost $4,500, while the one-bedroom requires $6,000. Agent fees, internet and basic management do not differ nearly as much.

This is a model, not a quotation for a specific development. It shows that the lower entry cost remains meaningful, but some operational expenses do not fall at the same rate as the floor area.

If a one-bedroom costs only 10–15% more than a comparable studio in the same building, the separate room often justifies the premium. If the gap reaches 30–40%, a studio may be more rational for a buyer with a strict capital limit.

Compare like with like: the same floor, orientation, view, finish and payment terms. A low-floor studio next to mechanical equipment is not comparable with a one-bedroom overlooking an open view.

Who rents studios in Phnom Penh?

The main studio tenant is one person who values location and building service more than space. This may be a young professional, a short-contract employee, an intern, a teacher, a business traveler or a remote worker who spends much of the day elsewhere.

Studios work best where the tenant receives something in return for the smaller private area:

• BKK1 or another central district;
• proximity to offices;
• cafés and shops within walking distance;
• a strong gym or coworking area;
• pool and communal facilities;
• housekeeping;
• professional management;
• flexible lease terms;
• utilities included;
• good furniture;
• natural light and an open view.

A weak studio does not become attractive simply because the rent is low. If the bed sits next to the kitchen, there is no storage, the window is small and the washing machine occupies the whole balcony, tenants will quickly compare it with a proper one-bedroom.

Studios also compete more directly with hotels and serviced apartments. A person staying for one to three months may prefer a professionally managed serviced unit with cleaning and utilities included if the price gap is small.

For long-term tenants, a real workspace matters. As hybrid and remote work have become more common, a desk, suitable chair and some visual separation from the bed have become functional requirements rather than decoration.

Who chooses a one-bedroom apartment?

A one-bedroom reaches a wider tenant base:

• a single professional working from home;
• a couple;
• spouses without children;
• someone on a long assignment;
• a tenant who receives guests;
• a mid-level manager;
• someone with more clothing or sports equipment;
• a tenant who wants to separate sleeping from cooking and work.

A separate bedroom makes the unit feel more like a home and less like temporary accommodation. That becomes more important after the first few months. The tenant can close a door, host someone in the living room, work late or avoid looking at the bed throughout the day.

For a couple, a studio can become uncomfortable even when the overall area seems adequate. Different sleep schedules, video calls, cooking and storage create conflicts that a one-bedroom plan handles more easily.

A separate bedroom does not guarantee strong occupancy. If the development is far from employment centers, management is weak or rent is too high, the extra room will not rescue the investment. Under otherwise equal conditions, however, it gives the owner more use cases and reduces dependence on one tenant type.

What tenants may value more than the extra room

Apartment type is only one factor. In Phnom Penh, tenants often choose the neighborhood and building first, then budget, then floor plan.

A good studio in a well-run building can rent faster than a one-bedroom in a poorly managed project with empty common areas and difficult access.

Important tenant criteria include:

• commute to work or school;
• management quality;
• secure entrance;
• reliable elevators;
• backup generator;
• internet;
• sound insulation;
• water pressure;
• air-conditioner condition;
• natural light;
• kitchen usability;
• washing machine;
• storage;
• housekeeping;
• electricity tariff;
• flexible lease terms.

Knight Frank estimated the existing serviced-apartment supply in Phnom Penh at about 9,096 units in the second half of 2025, an 8% year-on-year increase. Around 31% of the stock was in BKK, 24% in Daun Penh and 20% in Chamkarmon.

This means private landlords in central districts compete not only with other owners, but with professional operators offering reception, cleaning, maintenance and bundled services.

It is not enough to say, “The unit is in BKK1, so it will rent.” Compare it with the alternatives available within a few blocks.

What makes a studio suitable for long-term living

A good studio should not feel like a hotel room with a hotplate added later.

A workable plan normally includes:

• a properly sized window;
• visual separation between sleeping and living areas;
• a kitchen away from the head of the bed;
• extraction;
• space for a full-size refrigerator;
• a table suitable for working and eating;
• wardrobe storage;
• a place for a suitcase;
• washing machine;
• a bathroom that does not open directly toward the bed;
• a balcony or drying area;
• enough space to walk around the bed;
• correctly positioned electrical outlets.

A breakfast bar or island can look attractive in a rendering but block circulation. A decorative round table does not replace a proper desk. An oversized bed can reduce the quality of a small studio more than it increases appeal.

Kitchen ventilation is particularly important. In a single open room, cooking smells remain close to bedding and textiles. A tenant who cooks regularly will notice this quickly.

A glass partition can improve visual separation, but it should allow light and airflow. A fully enclosed internal sleeping box without a window may feel hotter and smaller than an open studio.

A simple investor test is whether someone can live in the apartment for a month without clearing a laptop from the dining table every day or storing a suitcase in full view. If not, the long-term tenant pool is narrow.

What makes a good one-bedroom apartment

A one-bedroom is not automatically well designed simply because it has a wall and a door.

Poor plans waste space on long corridors, oversized bathrooms or narrow bedrooms where the wardrobe blocks circulation. A nominal one-bedroom can therefore be less usable than a studio.

A strong one-bedroom should offer:

• a bedroom with a window;
• room for the bed and two clear walkways;
• a proper wardrobe;
• a living room with a sofa and table;
• a workspace;
• a kitchen with storage;
• a bathroom accessible without passing through the bedroom;
• washing machine;
• natural light in the main living area;
• sensible use of gross and net area.

For couples and visitors, it is preferable that the only bathroom does not open exclusively from the bedroom. That may be acceptable for one person but becomes awkward when guests are present.

The bedroom door should genuinely separate light and noise. A sliding glass panel creates the appearance of a room but may not solve different sleeping and working schedules.

A balcony adds value only if it is deep enough to use and has a reasonable orientation and view. A narrow strip occupied by an outdoor air-conditioning unit should not be valued as a full outdoor living area.

Utilities and ownership costs: how much more does a one-bedroom cost?

A one-bedroom normally has more floor area and a second air conditioner, so electricity and service charges are higher. The difference is not always proportional to the apartment price.

If the building service charge is calculated per square meter:

area × service-charge rate

At $1 per square meter, a 35 sq m studio costs $35 a month and a 48 sq m one-bedroom costs $48. The difference is $13.

Electricity depends on tenant behavior. One air conditioner cools the full studio. In a one-bedroom, the tenant can cool the bedroom at night and the living room during the day, but running both at once raises consumption.

Furnishing is also more expensive in a one-bedroom: a second television is optional, but additional curtains, lights, furniture and an air-conditioning unit may be required. There are also more walls, doors and surfaces to maintain.

Higher rent can cover the additional cost. The investor should compare expenses as a percentage of achievable income rather than only as an absolute figure.

Do not judge a building solely by a low service-charge rate. A project charging $0.70 per sq m but failing to maintain elevators and common areas can damage rental demand more than a competent operator charging $1.20.

Also check sinking fund, building insurance, taxes, rental-management fees and leasing commissions. Some apply equally to studios and one-bedrooms, while others depend on size.

Resale liquidity

A studio’s lower absolute price makes it affordable to a larger number of buyers, but the use case is narrower.

Potential studio buyers include:

• first-time investors;
• buyers with limited capital;
• people needing temporary accommodation;
• investors targeting shorter stays;
• parents buying for a student;
• buyers who prioritize one central address.

A one-bedroom is relevant to the same investors and also to:

• couples;
• owner-occupiers;
• remote professionals;
• buyers seeking a backup residence;
• people using the apartment for several months a year;
• investors preferring longer leases.

A broader audience does not guarantee a quick sale. Liquidity depends on price, developer reputation, building condition, title, foreign quota, management, outstanding installments and competition from unsold developer stock.

Studios are particularly risky in towers where most of the building consists of identical small units. When investors exit, they may compete with dozens of owners and with the developer, who can offer discounts, furniture and installment plans.

A one-bedroom can also be a mass product. Ask for the unit mix: how many studios, one-bedrooms and larger units exist, and how many identical layouts appear on each floor.

A rare but awkward format does not become valuable because it is scarce. A mass format that matches genuine demand can still perform well. The decision depends on price and the future tenant and buyer pool.

When a studio makes sense as an investment

A studio can be a strong purchase when several conditions are met together.

First, the total entry price is meaningfully lower. The investor retains money for furnishing, vacancy, tax and unexpected costs instead of spending the entire budget on a larger unit.

Second, the location has a real concentration of single tenants: a business district, international offices, university, hospital, major mixed-use development or transport node.

Third, the plan is functional, with light, storage, workspace and a workable kitchen.

Fourth, the building has strong shared facilities. Coworking, lounges, gym, rooftop spaces and professional management partly compensate for the smaller private area.

Fifth, the rent is clearly below a one-bedroom in the same area. If the difference is only $30–50 a month, many tenants will pay slightly more for a separate room.

Sixth, there is not an overwhelming supply of identical units.

Seventh, the holding strategy matches the product. A studio works better as an affordable rental asset than as a bet that a future family buyer will pay a premium for a small unit.

Buying several studios instead of one larger apartment can make sense, but the investor then manages more tenants, repairs and vacancy periods.

When the one-bedroom premium is justified

A one-bedroom is usually the safer all-round asset when the budget still leaves an adequate reserve after purchase.

The premium is justified when:

• the bedroom has a window;
• the internal area is used efficiently;
• the price difference from a studio is moderate;
• achievable rent is materially higher;
• the area attracts couples and professionals;
• the apartment is suitable for owner use;
• there are relatively few comparable one-bedroom units;
• management is set up for long-term leases;
• the kitchen and storage are practical;
• utilities remain reasonable.

A one-bedroom is particularly attractive to a buyer who wants several possible outcomes: rent it now, use it personally later, accommodate a relative or sell to an end user.

That flexibility has value. Even where a studio shows slightly higher modeled yield today, the one-bedroom may be more resilient if tenant preferences change.

However, do not pay a premium for the door alone. A one-bedroom with a windowless sleeping box, a cramped living area and a large gross-to-net loss can be worse than a good studio.

How to compare two specific apartments

Use one simple table rather than immediately reducing the decision to a single yield percentage.

Then test five scenarios.

First, normal long-term leasing. Who would rent the apartment for 12 months and why would they choose it?

Second, a weaker market. How far would rent need to fall to secure a tenant among competing units?

Third, personal use. Could the owner live there for several months?

Fourth, resale. Who is the future buyer and what alternatives will they compare?

Fifth, handover of the full tower. How many similar apartments will enter the rental and resale market at the same time?

Use conservative rent, not the highest asking listing. An advertised price is not a signed lease. Include vacancy, agent commission, maintenance, management, tax and replacement of furniture.

Red flags when choosing the format

A studio priced far below the rest of the project may have a weak floor, internal view, mechanical noise or legal issue. Understand the reason for the discount.

A “one-bedroom” label has little value if the bedroom has no window or ventilation. Some tenants will exclude it immediately.

The gross area is much larger than the visible internal area, but the seller refuses to provide the net area. This prevents meaningful comparison.

The tower contains hundreds of identical studios, while the guaranteed-rent program does not explain the payment source, operator or post-guarantee rental strategy.

The kitchen is decorative: no extractor, storage or room for a normal refrigerator. That is a major disadvantage for long-term tenants.

The balcony is occupied by the outdoor air-conditioning unit and washing machine but is sold as premium usable area.

The service charge is low during marketing but not secured after handover. Owners may face a very different operating budget later.

The rental model uses gross income without vacancy, commissions, furniture and tax.

The developer continues selling comparable units below the early buyer’s price. A resale owner will compete with installment plans, bonuses and the developer’s marketing budget.

Which format is better for personal use?

A studio may suit one person who cooks little, works outside the apartment and values location more than space. Strong common areas such as a lounge, coworking area and gym make compact living easier.

A remote professional will usually be more comfortable in a one-bedroom. The bedroom can remain separate while the living room becomes a workspace, allowing the workday to end away from the bed.

A couple is generally much better served by a one-bedroom. Even with similar floor area, the door and two separate zones change daily life.

Someone who visits Phnom Penh only for a few weeks a year may find a studio sufficient. However, compare the annual ownership cost with a serviced apartment or hotel. Service charges, utilities, upkeep and repairs continue while the unit is empty.

A buyer considering future relocation should ideally rent both formats first. A week in a show unit does not reveal storage problems, cooking smells, video calls or how two people share the space.

Conclusion: one-bedroom apartments are more versatile, while studios require a more precise fit

A Phnom Penh studio wins on total purchase price and can be efficient in a strong central location. It suits a single tenant, short-to-medium stays and an investor deliberately choosing a lower entry point.

A one-bedroom is usually more resilient. The separate room expands the tenant pool to couples, remote professionals and longer-term residents, improves suitability for owner occupation and creates more resale scenarios.

For that reason, the default choice for many private investors is not the cheapest studio, but a well-designed compact one-bedroom where the total price premium remains reasonable. A studio becomes the better option when it is materially cheaper, better located or so well designed and serviced that it compensates for the lack of a separate room.

The final decision should be based on six factors: usable area, total entry cost, achievable rent, tenant pool, number of competing units and management quality. The format is only the shell. A good apartment with clear demand matters more than the words “studio” or “one-bedroom” in a brochure.

This article is informational and does not constitute individual investment, legal or financial advice. Price, rent, area, title, foreign quota, tax and management arrangements should be checked for the specific property and at the time of purchase.

Sources

1. Knight Frank Cambodia — Cambodia Real Estate Highlights H2 2025, published in February 2026. Used for serviced-apartment supply, market geography and average rents.
2. Knight Frank Cambodia — Residential Relocation Guide 2026–2027. Used for housing-choice, neighborhood and rental-market context.
3. CBRE Cambodia — Residential Properties and current Phnom Penh listings. Used for current examples of asking rents and studio and one-bedroom formats. Checked 25 June 2026.
4. Realestate.com.kh — Studios, apartments and new developments in Phnom Penh. Used for current examples of size overlap; listings were not treated as official market averages.
5. IPS Cambodia — Phnom Penh Condo Completion List 2025–2026. Used for unit-mix and size ranges in new developments.
6. Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction — Law on Management and Use of Co-Owned Buildings and related sub-decree. Used for the legal context of condominium ownership and common areas.