Cost of Living in Brunei - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Brunei
Address: BN

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $787 (excluding rent), and $1,343 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,793 (excluding rent), and $2,724 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.33 BND 6.83

$2.38 BND 3.05

$9.54 BND 12.21

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.92 BND 42.14

$23.23 BND 29.73

$62.0 BND 79.4

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.37 BND 8.15

$6.30 BND 8.06

$9.57 BND 12.25

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.01 BND 2.57

$1.61 BND 2.06

$4.01 BND 5.14

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 BND 2.96

$1.93 BND 2.47

$3.87 BND 4.95

Cappuccino

$4.07 BND 5.21

$3.10 BND 3.96

$5.03 BND 6.44

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.09 BND 1.39

$0.76 BND 0.97

$1.67 BND 2.14

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.73 BND 0.94

$0.38 BND 0.49

$1.14 BND 1.46

Milk (1 liter)

$2.32 BND 2.97

$1.71 BND 2.19

$3.88 BND 4.97

White Bread (500g)

$1.95 BND 2.49

$1.55 BND 1.98

$3.73 BND 4.77

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.09 BND 2.67

$0.99 BND 1.27

$3.80 BND 4.87

Eggs

$2.49 BND 3.18

$1.91 BND 2.45

$3.36 BND 4.30

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.84 BND 20.28

$6.33 BND 8.10

$34.88 BND 44.65

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.06 BND 9.03

$3.79 BND 4.84

$11.37 BND 14.56

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.54 BND 23.73

$9.35 BND 11.97

$31.03 BND 39.72

Apples (1kg)

$3.91 BND 5.01

$2.33 BND 2.98

$6.53 BND 8.36

Banana (1kg)

$3.30 BND 4.23

$1.57 BND 2.01

$7.86 BND 10.07

Oranges (1kg)

$3.69 BND 4.72

$1.55 BND 1.99

$7.78 BND 9.96

Tomato (1kg)

$3.74 BND 4.79

$1.55 BND 1.98

$6.44 BND 8.24

Potato (1kg)

$2.17 BND 2.77

$0.76 BND 0.98

$3.06 BND 3.91

Onion (1kg)

$2.43 BND 3.12

$0.77 BND 0.98

$3.08 BND 3.94

Lettuce (1 head)

$4.69 BND 6.00

$1.17 BND 1.49

$8.42 BND 10.78

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.94 BND 1.20

$0.41 BND 0.53

$1.50 BND 1.92

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$11.79 BND 15.09

$2.36 BND 3.02

$23.59 BND 30.19

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$5.05 BND 6.46

$2.65 BND 3.39

$7.58 BND 9.71

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.36 BND 1.74

$1.11 BND 1.43

$1.59 BND 2.04

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.85 BND 15.17

$7.90 BND 10.11

$15.79 BND 20.22

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.75 BND 0.96

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.75 BND 6.08

$3.96 BND 5.07

$5.53 BND 7.07

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.67 BND 3.41

$3.84 BND 4.92

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.95 BND 15.30

$11.94 BND 15.29

$23.89 BND 30.57

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.37 BND 0.48

$0.29 BND 0.37

$0.39 BND 0.50

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$23.1K BND 29.5K

$38.4K BND 49.2K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$31.2K BND 40.0K

$31.0K BND 39.7K

$31.9K BND 40.8K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$53.4 BND 68.4

$35.27 BND 45.15

$78.4 BND 100

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$21.75 BND 27.84

$15.34 BND 19.64

$23.03 BND 29.48

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$92.2 BND 118

$55.0 BND 70.4

$188 BND 241

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.37 BND 56.8

$11.67 BND 14.94

$93.4 BND 120

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.78 BND 7.40

Cinema Ticket

$5.41 BND 6.92

$3.86 BND 4.95

$6.19 BND 7.93

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$171 BND 219

$115 BND 148

$347 BND 444

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.8K BND 13.8K

$4,751 BND 6,081

$19.0K BND 24.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$83.3 BND 107

$31.21 BND 39.95

$141 BND 180

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$66.3 BND 84.8

$27.59 BND 35.32

$118 BND 152

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.9 BND 127

$69.2 BND 88.6

$192 BND 246

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$91.0 BND 116

$38.80 BND 49.66

$155 BND 199

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$769 BND 984

$547 BND 700

$938 BND 1,200

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$511 BND 654

$383 BND 490

$613 BND 785

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,341 BND 1,717

$954 BND 1,221

$1,990 BND 2,547

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$886 BND 1,134

$477 BND 610

$1,350 BND 1,729

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,015 BND 2,579

$1,870 BND 2,394

$6,154 BND 7,878

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,378 BND 3,044

$914 BND 1,170

$4,744 BND 6,072

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,343 BND 3,000

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.05

4.8

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: March 2, 2026

By City in Brunei

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Bandar Seri Begawan	50000	57	$690	$1,159	$1,392	$2,347	147.81	101.4
2	Bangar	-		$2.64	$3.07	$4.36	$319	15.41	93.23
3	Jerudong	11000	35	$577	$712	$1,619	$1,522	90.69	92.66
4	Kuala Belait	31178	83	$823	$1,653	$2,176	$3,276	100.91	99.59
5	Seria	30097	28	$486	$550	$1,296	$1,247	163.46	91.94

Brunei Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Brunei - Frequently Asked Questions

Brunei offers a practical balance of reliable services, safety, and comfortable living that appeals to travelers, expats, and digital nomads seeking stability. You may find local essentials and daily services affordable when you shop at markets or choose modest accommodations, while imported goods or premium brands can push costs higher. Cost of Living in Brunei is shaped by subsidies and modern amenities, which can make longer stays worthwhile if you align housing and transport with local options. Neighborhoods with strong expat networks and good transit often deliver the smoothest day-to-day rhythm. Tip: start your housing search near transit hubs and community facilities to maximize value.

Brunei living cost can vary by area, but the urban core tends to be predictable and convenient for daily routines. Housing search favors longer leases in modern flats or serviced apartments, with utilities often included or clearly outlined in the contract. Food options range from busy local markets to international eateries; groceries suit those who enjoy fresh produce and staple items. Transport is practical in the city, with taxis, ride-sharing, and some bus routes that keep errands manageable. Co-working spaces cluster near business districts, offering day passes or short-term memberships. Tip: map your commonly used errands and transit routes to minimize back-and-forth during busy days.

Quality of life in Brunei blends reliable public services, green spaces, and a calm pace that suits many long stays. Build a simple budgeting framework: secure stable housing first, then estimate groceries and utilities, and leave room for transport and occasional leisure. Neighborhood fit matters; look for areas with walkable streets, parks, and quick access to shops, cafes, or coworking hubs. Seasonality affects outdoor plans more than prices, so plan activities around heat, rain, and long daylight months. Practical tips: join local expat groups to learn shortcuts, test a few neighborhoods on weekend strolls, and keep a short list of preferred routes. Tip: try a short-term stay in several areas before committing to a long lease.