Here is something most TEFL teachers do not think about until they are standing at a counter in a foreign country, squinting at a menu in an unfamiliar currency: the price of coffee tells you a lot about a place. It might seem trivial, but your daily caffeine fix is one of the most reliable indicators of local cost of living, and understanding what it costs relative to your salary can help you make smarter decisions about where to teach.
We picked three very different TEFL destinations — Cambodia, Italy, and Dubai — and compared what teachers earn, what they spend, and what their morning coffee actually costs them as a percentage of their income. The results might surprise you.
Cambodia: Where Your Dollar Goes the Furthest
Cambodia is one of the most affordable TEFL destinations on the planet, and the coffee culture reflects that beautifully. A traditional Cambodian iced coffee from a street vendor will set you back just $0.50 to $1.00. Even at one of Phnom Penh's trendy Western-style cafes, you will rarely pay more than $1.50 to $2.50 for a latte. Many teachers find themselves drinking incredible local coffee every single day without it making a dent in their budget.
TEFL teachers in Cambodia typically earn between $800 and $1,500 per month depending on qualifications, experience, and whether they work at a private language centre or an international school. Rent in Phnom Penh ranges from $235 to $390 per month for a decent one-bedroom apartment, and a full meal at a local restaurant costs as little as $2 to $3. The cost of living is roughly 48.6% lower than in the United States, meaning your salary stretches remarkably far.
At $1 per day, your coffee habit in Cambodia costs roughly $30 per month — about 2 to 4 percent of your salary. That leaves plenty of room for weekend trips to Siem Reap, island hopping in Sihanoukville, or simply saving for the future.
Italy: The Espresso Ritual
In Italy, coffee is not just a drink — it is a cultural institution. The good news for teachers is that the Italian government effectively keeps espresso prices low as a matter of national pride. A single espresso at the bar (standing, as Italians do) costs between €1.00 and €1.30 in most cities. Even a cappuccino rarely exceeds €1.50 to €2.00. Sit down at a table in a touristy piazza, though, and the price can double or triple.
TEFL teachers in Italy typically earn between €1,000 and €1,400 per month, which is modest by Western European standards. Rent varies enormously by city — Rome and Milan are expensive, while smaller cities like Bologna or Lecce offer better value. The trade-off is the Italian lifestyle: long lunches, beautiful architecture, world-class food, and a pace of life that prioritises enjoyment over hustle.
Your daily espresso at €1.10 costs roughly €33 per month, which is about 2.5 to 3.3 percent of a typical salary. Not bad at all — and many teachers argue that Italian espresso is the best in the world, making it the highest-value coffee experience on this list.
Dubai: Premium Coffee, Premium Salary
Dubai is a city of superlatives, and its coffee prices match. A standard Starbucks latte costs between 14 and 21 AED (roughly $3.80 to $5.70 USD). Specialty coffee shops charge even more, with single-origin pour-overs often exceeding 30 AED. However, you can find more affordable options at local cafeterias serving karak chai or Arabic coffee for 3 to 5 AED.
The crucial difference with Dubai is the salary. TEFL teachers in the UAE typically earn between 9,000 and 20,000 AED per month (approximately $2,450 to $5,450 USD), and this income is entirely tax-free. Many positions at international schools include additional benefits like housing allowances, flights home, and health insurance. When you factor in the tax-free salary, even Dubai's premium coffee prices represent a small fraction of your earnings.
A daily Starbucks at 18 AED costs roughly 540 AED per month — about 2.7 to 6 percent of your salary depending on your position. But if you switch to karak chai at the local cafeteria, that drops to under 1 percent.
Smart Money Tips for TEFL Teachers
No matter where you end up teaching, these financial principles will help you make the most of your salary.
- Compare salaries to local costs, not to your home country — A $900 salary in Cambodia can provide a higher quality of life than a €1,400 salary in Milan.
- Read your contract carefully for inclusions — Housing, flights, insurance, and meal allowances can be worth thousands of dollars per year and dramatically change the true value of your package.
- Track your expenses for the first month — Your spending patterns abroad will be completely different from home. Track everything for the first 30 days to build an accurate budget.
- Understand exchange rates and transfer fees — Use services like Wise (formerly TransferWise) to move money internationally. Traditional bank transfers can eat 3 to 5 percent of every transaction.
- Choose a destination that fits your lifestyle priorities — If saving money is your goal, Southeast Asia is hard to beat. If cultural immersion is your priority, Europe offers unmatched experiences. If you want to maximise raw income, the Middle East is king.
The price of a coffee might seem like a small thing, but it is a window into the financial reality of life in any country. Use it as a starting point, do your research, and choose a destination where your salary and your lifestyle goals align.
