Cost of Living in Brunei - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Brunei
Address: BN

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $789 (excluding rent), and $1,373 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,830 (excluding rent), and $2,707 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.39 BND 6.96

$2.41 BND 3.11

$9.64 BND 12.44

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.86 BND 42.39

$23.19 BND 29.91

$61.9 BND 79.8

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.37 BND 8.22

$6.30 BND 8.12

$9.56 BND 12.34

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.99 BND 2.57

$1.60 BND 2.06

$3.99 BND 5.15

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.28 BND 2.94

$1.90 BND 2.45

$3.81 BND 4.92

Cappuccino

$4.07 BND 5.26

$3.10 BND 4.00

$5.04 BND 6.50

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

$1.11 BND 1.43

$0.77 BND 0.99

$1.70 BND 2.19

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.73 BND 0.95

$0.38 BND 0.49

$1.14 BND 1.48

Milk (1 liter)

$2.37 BND 3.06

$1.74 BND 2.25

$3.96 BND 5.11

White Bread (500g)

$1.94 BND 2.50

$1.54 BND 1.99

$3.71 BND 4.79

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.01 BND 2.59

$0.95 BND 1.23

$3.65 BND 4.71

Eggs

$2.50 BND 3.22

$1.92 BND 2.48

$3.37 BND 4.35

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.92 BND 20.53

$6.35 BND 8.20

$35.04 BND 45.20

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.17 BND 9.25

$3.85 BND 4.96

$11.56 BND 14.91

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.59 BND 23.99

$9.38 BND 12.10

$31.12 BND 40.15

Apples (1kg)

$3.82 BND 4.93

$2.28 BND 2.94

$6.38 BND 8.23

Banana (1kg)

$3.23 BND 4.17

$1.54 BND 1.98

$7.70 BND 9.93

Oranges (1kg)

$3.69 BND 4.76

$1.55 BND 2.01

$7.78 BND 10.04

Tomato (1kg)

$3.79 BND 4.89

$1.57 BND 2.02

$6.52 BND 8.41

Potato (1kg)

$2.22 BND 2.87

$0.79 BND 1.01

$3.14 BND 4.05

Onion (1kg)

$2.44 BND 3.14

$0.77 BND 0.99

$3.08 BND 3.97

Lettuce (1 head)

$4.65 BND 5.99

$1.16 BND 1.49

$8.35 BND 10.77

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.96 BND 1.24

$0.42 BND 0.54

$1.53 BND 1.97

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$11.88 BND 15.33

$2.38 BND 3.07

$23.77 BND 30.67

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$5.31 BND 6.84

$2.79 BND 3.59

$7.97 BND 10.28

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.34 BND 1.73

$1.10 BND 1.42

$1.58 BND 2.03

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.65 BND 15.03

$7.77 BND 10.02

$15.53 BND 20.04

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.76 BND 0.99

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.56 BND 5.89

$3.80 BND 4.91

$5.31 BND 6.85

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.61 BND 3.36

$3.76 BND 4.84

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.58 BND 14.94

$11.57 BND 14.93

$23.14 BND 29.85

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.37 BND 0.48

$0.29 BND 0.37

$0.39 BND 0.51

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

$23.6K BND 30.5K

$23.6K BND 30.4K

$39.3K BND 50.7K

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

$31.0K BND 40.0K

$30.8K BND 39.7K

$31.6K BND 40.8K

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

$53.3 BND 68.7

$35.15 BND 45.34

$78.1 BND 101

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

$22.04 BND 28.44

$15.55 BND 20.06

$23.35 BND 30.12

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$90.4 BND 117

$53.9 BND 69.5

$184 BND 237

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.18 BND 58.3

$11.89 BND 15.33

$95.1 BND 123

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.04 BND 7.79

Cinema Ticket

$5.56 BND 7.18

$3.97 BND 5.13

$6.37 BND 8.21

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

$170 BND 220

$115 BND 148

$345 BND 446

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.7K BND 13.8K

$4,705 BND 6,070

$18.8K BND 24.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$83.6 BND 108

$31.34 BND 40.43

$141 BND 182

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$66.5 BND 85.8

$27.68 BND 35.71

$119 BND 153

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 BND 130

$70.7 BND 91.3

$196 BND 253

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$90.9 BND 117

$38.77 BND 50.0

$155 BND 200

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$783 BND 1,010

$557 BND 718

$955 BND 1,232

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$530 BND 684

$398 BND 513

$637 BND 821

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,291 BND 1,666

$919 BND 1,185

$1,916 BND 2,472

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$886 BND 1,143

$477 BND 615

$1,351 BND 1,743

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,046 BND 2,639

$1,898 BND 2,448

$6,246 BND 8,057

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,317 BND 2,989

$885 BND 1,141

$4,638 BND 5,983

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,349 BND 3,031

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: January 18, 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	$668	$1,125	$1,530	$2,333	147.81	101.4
2	Bangar	-		$2.92	$3.01	$4.42	$319	15.41	93.23
3	Jerudong	11000	35	$577	$702	$1,498	$1,531	90.69	92.66
4	Kuala Belait	31178	83	$777	$1,663	$1,920	$3,219	100.91	99.59
5	Seria	30097	28	$479	$557	$1,063	$1,205	163.46	91.94

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.