Kep Statistics 2026
Kep statistics for 2026: population ~43,000 (Cambodia's smallest province), area 336 km², famous for the Kep Crab Market and Kep National Park. Budget estimates for long-stay visitors and expats — clearly labeled as estimates where official data is unavailable.
Journalists and researchers: download the full dataset (CSV / JSON) or copy a citation.
Last updated: May 2026·Next update: November 2026·20 sourced statistics
Only high & medium confidence data is published.
Key Kep Statistics
residents — Kep province (2019 census)
Kep is Cambodia's smallest province by both area and population — giving it an intimate, unhurried character that larger destinations lack.
km² — Kep province total area
Kep province covers just 336 km² — tiny even by Cambodian standards — which is what keeps it off the beaten track.
km from Kampot (~30 min by road)
Kep is easily combined with Kampot as a day trip or overnight stay — just 25km apart along a scenic coastal road.
km from Phnom Penh (~2.5h by road)
Kep is a 2.5h drive from Phnom Penh — a viable weekend escape from the capital.
USD/month solo lifestyle estimate
Kep may be Cambodia's most affordable long-stay base — with very few tourists, costs stay consistently low.
Kep Tourism & Attractions
Crab market, national park, Rabbit Island and coastal salt — rough estimates only
- →Kep is famous for its blue swimming crab (skang) served at the seafront Kep Crab Market
- →Kep National Park covers most of the province's interior — forested hills with hiking trails
- →Salt flats in the area produce some of Cambodia's best artisanal sea salt
- →Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay) is accessible by boat (15 min) and offers basic bungalows and snorkeling
- →The Kep Pepper Trail connects pepper farms between Kampot and Kep — Kampot pepper PDO grown in both provinces
Visitor figures are rough community estimates. No official tourism statistics published at city level for Kep.
Population & Geography
NIS 2019 census — the only official figures available
- →Kep is Cambodia's smallest province and one of the smallest in Southeast Asia
- →The province is flat coastal lowland along the Gulf of Thailand
- →Most residents are fishermen, farmers and those working in the small tourism sector
- →Kep town is the only urban center — very small by Cambodian standards
Long-Stay & Expat Scene
Very limited data — all figures are rough community estimates
- →Kep has a very small but loyal expat community — many are retirees or remote workers valuing quiet over infrastructure
- →Very few co-working spaces — most nomads work from cafés or their accommodation
- →Accommodation and food are among the cheapest in Cambodia
- →Best combined with Kampot for services (hospital, co-working, larger market)
Expat figures are very rough estimates. Kep has minimal official data on foreign residents.
Kep Cost of Living
City comparison — Kep vs neighboring destinations (community estimates)
| City | COL Index (NYC=100) | Apartment 1BR | Solo Budget/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kepest. | ~20 | $150–350 | $450–800 |
| Kampotest. | 22.5 | $150–400 | $500–900 |
| Siem Reap | 24.8 | $250–600 | $600–1,200 |
| Phnom Penh | 32.1 | $300–800 | $800–1,500 |
Kep has no Numbeo data. Index is a rough estimate based on community reports and Kampot proximity.
Sources: community estimates + Siem Reap Hub local checks (internal).
- →Kep is even cheaper than nearby Kampot — the small scale and low tourist volume keeps prices down
- →Groceries are available but range is limited — most residents shop in Kampot town (25km)
- →Fresh seafood (blue crab, prawns, fish) is extremely affordable at the local market
- →No mall or major retail — Kep is a true small-town experience
All cost figures are community estimates with very limited formal data. Treat as rough indicative ranges.
Getting to Kep
Road connections only — no airport, no rail
| From | Distance | Duration | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kampot | 25 km | ~30 min | Tuk-tuk / taxi / motorbike |
| Phnom Penh | 172 km | ~2.5h | Bus / taxi |
| Sihanoukville | 120 km | ~2h | Bus / taxi |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 265 km | ~5h | Bus via Prek Chak border |
Road distances approximate.
- →No airport — nearest is Phnom Penh (172km) or Sihanoukville (120km)
- →Most visitors combine Kep with Kampot — just 25km apart along a scenic coastal road
- →Tuk-tuk from Kampot: $10–15 one way
- →Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay) is accessible by boat from Kep pier: ~15 minutes, ~$5–8 return
Kep Attractions & Activities
Crab market, national park, Rabbit Island and pepper farms
| Attraction | Type | Distance from town | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kep Crab Market | Seafood market | Waterfront (5 min walk) | Famous for live blue crab — budget $5–15/person |
| Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay) | Island day trip | 15 min by boat | Basic bungalows, snorkeling, quiet beaches |
| Kep National Park | Hiking | Inside town | Forest trails, viewpoints, wildlife |
| Phnom Kompong Trach | Cave temple | 28 km north | Impressive cave pagoda with natural skylight |
| Salt fields | Working salt flats | Between Kampot and Kep | Active harvesting Oct–May |
| Kep pepper farms | Farm visit | Surrounding hills | Part of Kampot PDO region |
- →Kep Blue Crab (skang) is the city's signature dish — steamed with Kampot green pepper
- →Kep National Park has 8km of hiking trails through forested limestone hills — good birdwatching
- →Rabbit Island offers bungalows ($8–20/night), hammocks, seafood and snorkeling in clear water
- →The coastal road between Kampot and Kep passes salt flats, fishing villages and pepper farms — ideal by motorbike
Climate & Practical Notes
Essential information for visitors and long-stay residents
- →Kep has a pleasant coastal climate — sea breezes moderate temperatures
- →Dry season (November–April) is ideal — calm seas, pleasant temperatures, best for Rabbit Island
- →Rainy season brings fewer tourists and lower prices — but boats to Rabbit Island may not run in rough weather
- →No hospital in Kep — nearest is Kampot (25km) or Phnom Penh (172km). International standard care requires Phnom Penh
- →Power: generally reliable. Internet: limited — bring your own SIM for mobile data
- →Kep has very few ATMs — bring cash from Kampot or Phnom Penh
Kep is a genuinely small, undeveloped destination. Infrastructure limitations are part of the experience.
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Methodology & Data Sources
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Siem Reap Hub. (2026, May). Kep statistics 2026. https://siemreaphub.com/kep/statistics
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