Cost of Living in Brunei - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Brunei
Address: BN

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $776 (excluding rent), and $1,347 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,804 (excluding rent), and $2,756 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.13 BND 6.52

$2.29 BND 2.91

$9.18 BND 11.65

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$33.57 BND 42.63

$23.68 BND 30.08

$63.2 BND 80.3

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.17 BND 7.83

$6.10 BND 7.74

$9.26 BND 11.76

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.93 BND 2.45

$1.54 BND 1.96

$3.86 BND 4.91

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.28 BND 2.89

$1.90 BND 2.41

$3.81 BND 4.84

Cappuccino

$4.03 BND 5.12

$3.07 BND 3.89

$4.98 BND 6.33

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

$1.13 BND 1.44

$0.79 BND 1.00

$1.74 BND 2.21

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 BND 1.00

$0.41 BND 0.52

$1.22 BND 1.55

Milk (1 liter)

$2.41 BND 3.06

$1.77 BND 2.25

$4.02 BND 5.11

White Bread (500g)

$1.95 BND 2.47

$1.55 BND 1.97

$3.73 BND 4.73

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.03 BND 2.57

$0.96 BND 1.22

$3.69 BND 4.69

Eggs

$2.38 BND 3.02

$1.83 BND 2.32

$3.21 BND 4.07

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.35 BND 19.50

$6.13 BND 7.78

$33.80 BND 42.93

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.41 BND 9.41

$3.98 BND 5.05

$11.95 BND 15.17

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.54 BND 23.54

$9.35 BND 11.87

$31.03 BND 39.41

Apples (1kg)

$3.95 BND 5.02

$2.35 BND 2.99

$6.60 BND 8.38

Banana (1kg)

$3.23 BND 4.10

$1.54 BND 1.95

$7.69 BND 9.77

Oranges (1kg)

$3.72 BND 4.72

$1.57 BND 1.99

$7.85 BND 9.97

Tomato (1kg)

$3.76 BND 4.77

$1.55 BND 1.97

$6.47 BND 8.21

Potato (1kg)

$2.20 BND 2.79

$0.78 BND 0.99

$3.10 BND 3.94

Onion (1kg)

$2.52 BND 3.21

$0.80 BND 1.01

$3.19 BND 4.05

Lettuce (1 head)

$4.61 BND 5.85

$1.15 BND 1.46

$8.27 BND 10.50

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.96 BND 1.22

$0.42 BND 0.53

$1.53 BND 1.94

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$11.71 BND 14.87

$2.34 BND 2.98

$23.42 BND 29.74

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$5.31 BND 6.75

$2.79 BND 3.54

$7.98 BND 10.13

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.29 BND 1.64

$1.06 BND 1.35

$1.52 BND 1.93

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.66 BND 14.80

$7.77 BND 9.87

$15.54 BND 19.73

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.80 BND 1.01

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.82 BND 6.13

$4.02 BND 5.11

$5.62 BND 7.13

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.66 BND 3.37

$3.83 BND 4.86

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.55 BND 14.67

$11.54 BND 14.66

$23.08 BND 29.31

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.37 BND 0.47

$0.29 BND 0.36

$0.39 BND 0.50

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

$23.0K BND 29.2K

$38.3K BND 48.6K

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

$30.6K BND 38.9K

$30.4K BND 38.6K

$31.2K BND 39.6K

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

$52.5 BND 66.7

$34.66 BND 44.02

$77.0 BND 97.8

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

$21.70 BND 27.56

$15.31 BND 19.44

$22.98 BND 29.19

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$93.2 BND 118

$55.6 BND 70.6

$190 BND 241

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.40 BND 57.7

$11.94 BND 15.17

$95.5 BND 121

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.12 BND 7.77

Cinema Ticket

$5.52 BND 7.01

$3.94 BND 5.01

$6.32 BND 8.02

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

$174 BND 221

$118 BND 149

$353 BND 448

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.9K BND 13.8K

$4,771 BND 6,060

$19.1K BND 24.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$83.0 BND 105

$31.12 BND 39.52

$140 BND 178

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$66.3 BND 84.2

$27.61 BND 35.06

$118 BND 150

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$99.7 BND 127

$69.8 BND 88.7

$194 BND 246

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$90.6 BND 115

$38.66 BND 49.10

$155 BND 197

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$754 BND 958

$537 BND 682

$920 BND 1,168

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$516 BND 655

$387 BND 491

$619 BND 787

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,312 BND 1,667

$934 BND 1,186

$1,948 BND 2,473

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$879 BND 1,116

$473 BND 601

$1,340 BND 1,702

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,018 BND 2,563

$1,873 BND 2,378

$6,163 BND 7,827

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,395 BND 3,042

$917 BND 1,165

$4,789 BND 6,082

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,320 BND 2,947

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: April 12, 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	$669	$1,161	$1,289	$2,345	68.13	107.63
2	Bangar	-		$2.69	$3.11	$4.20	$312	25.78	78.76
3	Jerudong	11000	35	$733	$696	$1,523	$1,539	76.3	105.34
4	Kuala Belait	31178	83	$803	$1,633	$2,269	$3,332	163.73	113.64
5	Seria	30097	28	$425	$559	$1,278	$1,222	236.97	78.96

Brunei Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 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.