Last update: Nov 2026 458.9K

Cost of Living in Brunei

Name: Brunei
Address: BN

Across Brunei, living costs for one person average $1,392 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $27 a day.

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🇧🇳 Brunei

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Brunei

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Brunei actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Average monthly costs for a single person come to about $1,392 including rent across Brunei.

$1,392 /mo

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $2,079 including rent across Brunei.

$2,079 /mo

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,767 including rent across Brunei.

$2,767 /mo

Living costs in Brunei vary widely – from $574 in the most affordable city to $1,711 in the most expensive one, spanning a $1,137 range across 5 cities.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.25 BND 6.72

$3.14 BND 4.01

$9.40 BND 12.02

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$36.97 BND 47.28

$23.35 BND 29.86

$46.71 BND 59.7

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.30 BND 8.06

$6.23 BND 7.97

$9.45 BND 12.09

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.96 BND 2.51

$1.57 BND 2.01

$3.93 BND 5.03

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.39 BND 3.06

$1.98 BND 2.54

$3.98 BND 5.09

Cappuccino

$4.01 BND 5.13

$3.82 BND 4.88

$4.96 BND 6.35

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

$1.12 BND 1.43

$0.76 BND 0.98

$1.91 BND 2.44

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.74 BND 0.95

$0.38 BND 0.49

$1.15 BND 1.48

Milk (1 liter)

$2.27 BND 2.91

$1.55 BND 1.98

$3.88 BND 4.96

White Bread (500g)

$2.00 BND 2.55

$1.60 BND 2.05

$3.86 BND 4.93

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.99 BND 2.54

$0.95 BND 1.22

$3.65 BND 4.67

Eggs

$2.35 BND 3.00

$1.75 BND 2.23

$3.33 BND 4.26

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.45 BND 21.04

$7.67 BND 9.81

$33.81 BND 43.25

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.61 BND 9.73

$3.22 BND 4.12

$12.06 BND 15.43

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.49 BND 22.37

$9.26 BND 11.84

$30.73 BND 39.30

Apples (1kg)

$4.01 BND 5.13

$1.60 BND 2.05

$6.75 BND 8.64

Banana (1kg)

$3.64 BND 4.65

$1.52 BND 1.95

$7.62 BND 9.75

Oranges (1kg)

$3.55 BND 4.54

$1.58 BND 2.02

$7.91 BND 10.11

Tomato (1kg)

$3.95 BND 5.05

$1.52 BND 1.94

$6.33 BND 8.09

Potato (1kg)

$2.45 BND 3.13

$0.78 BND 0.99

$3.11 BND 3.98

Onion (1kg)

$2.29 BND 2.93

$0.76 BND 0.98

$3.07 BND 3.92

Lettuce (1 head)

$4.35 BND 5.56

$2.31 BND 2.95

$8.30 BND 10.61

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.01 BND 1.29

$0.46 BND 0.59

$1.52 BND 1.95

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$15.53 BND 19.86

$7.77 BND 9.93

$23.29 BND 29.78

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$5.23 BND 6.69

$2.75 BND 3.52

$7.85 BND 10.04

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.07 BND 1.37

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.90 BND 15.23

$7.94 BND 10.15

$15.87 BND 20.30

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.79 BND 1.01

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$23.74 BND 30.36

$0.78 BND 0.99

$46.70 BND 59.7

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.98 BND 5.09

$2.39 BND 3.06

$4.77 BND 6.11

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.25 BND 4.15

$2.68 BND 3.43

$3.83 BND 4.89

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.63 BND 14.87

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.37 BND 0.47

$0.30 BND 0.38

$0.40 BND 0.51

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

$43.8K BND 56.0K

$39.8K BND 50.9K

$47.8K BND 61.1K

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

$30.0K BND 38.4K

$31.6K BND 40.4K

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

$57.7 BND 73.8

$39.60 BND 50.7

$101 BND 129

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

$20.79 BND 26.59

$13.86 BND 17.73

$30.81 BND 39.41

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$96.2 BND 123

$47.48 BND 60.7

$189 BND 242

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$57.5 BND 73.5

$23.77 BND 30.41

$95.1 BND 122

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.47 BND 6.99

Cinema Ticket

$5.57 BND 7.12

$3.98 BND 5.09

$6.36 BND 8.13

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

$177 BND 226

$117 BND 149

$389 BND 497

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$16.6K BND 21.3K

$9,303 BND 11.9K

$23.0K BND 29.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$75.8 BND 96.9

$15.41 BND 19.71

$139 BND 177

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$82.2 BND 105

$26.82 BND 34.31

$153 BND 196

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$115 BND 147

$71.7 BND 91.8

$199 BND 255

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$99.6 BND 127

$46.55 BND 59.5

$155 BND 199

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$716 BND 916

$499 BND 639

$922 BND 1,179

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$501 BND 640

$388 BND 496

$776 BND 993

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,166 BND 1,491

$947 BND 1,211

$1,420 BND 1,817

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$774 BND 990

$625 BND 800

$1,173 BND 1,500

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,454 BND 4,418

$2,082 BND 2,663

$6,198 BND 7,928

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,283 BND 2,920

$901 BND 1,153

$4,495 BND 5,750

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,169 BND 2,774

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

3.88

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

Last update: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Brunei $1,392

Accommodation & Living

$501 36%

Groceries & Markets

$317 22.8%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$175 12.6%

Clothing & Footwear

$168 12%

Eating Out

$117 8.4%

Sport & Entertainment

$69 4.9%

Getting Around

$47 3.4%

Cost Breakdown

National average salary: $2,221. With average costs at $1,392, the salary-to-cost ratio is favorable for most workers.

Expect to spend about $249 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant averages $31 for two.

In Bandar Seri Begawan (capital), expect about $1,207 per month, while Seria offers the lowest costs at $574 – which city you pick has a tangible effect on the budget.

Cost Highlights

Overall cost of living ($1,392) is 3% above the global median of $1,352.

Dinner for two at a restaurant ($31) is 34% below the global median of $47.

Public transport ($24) is 27% below the global median of $33.

Good to know

🕒 Local time

20:45 8:45 PM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

458,949

💱 Currency

Brunei Dollar BND $

📈 Exchange rate

1 BND = 0.782 USD

1 BND = 0.698 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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	$662	$1,207	$1,531	$2,296	68.13	107.63
2	Bangar	3970					$312	25.78	78.76
3	Jerudong	11000	35	$667	$728	$1,511	$1,571	76.3	105.34
4	Kuala Belait	31178	82	$896	$1,711	$2,181	$3,411	163.73	113.64
5	Seria	30097	27	$512	$574	$1,194	$1,256	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.

Brunei covers a wide cost spectrum. As of 2026, monthly expenses run from about $574 in budget-friendly smaller cities to $1,711 in the priciest areas. The gap is big enough to meaningfully affect lifestyle for anyone on a fixed income.

As of 2026, living expenses in Brunei span $574 to $1,711 monthly. Which city you choose has a big effect on your budget.

$1,500 a month goes far in Brunei, especially outside the big cities. It’s a realistic single-person budget that covers housing, food, transport, and leisure comfortably.