🙂A single person spends $546 per month in Seria vs $1,148 in Bandar Seri Begawan, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $893 per month in Seria vs $1,748 in Bandar Seri Begawan, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,241 per month in Seria vs $2,347 in Bandar Seri Begawan, rent included.
🙂Seria is about 52% cheaper than Bandar Seri Begawan, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Seria and Bandar Seri Begawan are more affordable than the global median – Seria59% lower, Bandar Seri Begawan14% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Seria
Bandar Seri Begawan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.10BND 3.97
$3.79BND 4.84
-18.21%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$27.55BND 35.26
$27.46BND 35.14
0.33%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.59BND 7.15
$5.99BND 7.67
-6.68%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.60BND 2.05
$1.91BND 2.44
-16.23%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40BND 3.07
$2.39BND 3.06
0.42%
Cappuccino
$3.85BND 4.93
$3.73BND 4.77
3.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.94BND 1.20
$0.97BND 1.24
-3.09%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60BND 0.77
$0.56BND 0.72
7.14%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Seria
Bandar Seri Begawan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.88BND 2.41
$1.89BND 2.41
-0.53%
White Bread(500g)
$1.42BND 1.82
$1.70BND 2.18
-16.47%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.26BND 1.61
$1.29BND 1.65
-2.33%
Eggs
$1.37BND 1.76
$2.23BND 2.85
-38.57%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.38BND 8.17
$7.18BND 9.18
-11.14%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.33BND 5.54
$4.50BND 5.76
-3.78%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.45BND 14.65
$11.26BND 14.41
1.69%
Apples(1kg)
$3.11BND 3.98
$3.18BND 4.07
-2.20%
Banana(1kg)
$2.53BND 3.24
$2.66BND 3.40
-4.89%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.03BND 3.88
$3.15BND 4.03
-3.81%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.76BND 3.53
$2.87BND 3.68
-3.83%
Potato(1kg)
$1.66BND 2.12
$1.64BND 2.10
1.22%
Onion(1kg)
$2.14BND 2.74
$2.15BND 2.75
-0.47%
Lettuce(1 head)
$3.37BND 4.31
$3.51BND 4.49
-3.99%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.75BND 0.96
$0.75BND 0.97
-
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$13.09BND 16.75
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.25BND 4.15
$3.36BND 4.30
-3.27%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.12BND 1.43
$1.52BND 1.95
-26.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$15.34BND 19.64
$15.59BND 19.95
-1.60%
🚌 Getting Around
Seria
Bandar Seri Begawan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.76BND 0.97
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.81BND 6.16
$4.55BND 5.83
5.71%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$2.66BND 3.41
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.77BND 15.06
$11.82BND 15.13
-0.42%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.32BND 0.41
$0.41BND 0.52
-21.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.9KBND 49.8K
$39.2KBND 50.2K
-0.72%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.8KBND 47.1K
$36.2KBND 46.4K
1.62%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Seria
Bandar Seri Begawan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$59.6BND 76.3
$61.0BND 78.0
-2.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.44BND 19.75
$22.79BND 29.16
-32.25%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.1BND 82.0
$65.4BND 83.7
-2.02%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Seria
Bandar Seri Begawan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$27.29BND 34.92
$37.66BND 48.20
-27.54%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$2.85BND 3.64
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.61BND 7.17
$5.31BND 6.79
5.65%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Seria
Bandar Seri Begawan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$156BND 199
$157BND 201
-0.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,317BND 11.9K
$9,544BND 12.2K
-2.38%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Seria
Bandar Seri Begawan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$30.93BND 39.58
$94.4BND 121
-67.24%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.30BND 34.93
$69.0BND 88.3
-60.43%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$50.6BND 64.7
$107BND 137
-52.90%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$47.60BND 60.9
$64.7BND 82.8
-26.45%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Seria
Bandar Seri Begawan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$727BND 931
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$464BND 594
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,323BND 1,693
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$827BND 1,059
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,105BND 3,974
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,340BND 2,995
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Seria
Bandar Seri Begawan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$697BND 892
$1,937BND 2,479
-64.01%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.06
4.06
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Seria: May 31, 2026
Last update for Bandar Seri Begawan: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Salaries run about 178% higher in Bandar Seri Begawan, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $28.00 in Seria versus $27.00 in Bandar Seri Begawan. Groceries tell a different story – $207 in Seria vs $219 in Bandar Seri Begawan – so Seria wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Seria vs Bandar Seri Begawan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bandar Seri Begawan cheaper than Seria?
Yes – Bandar Seri Begawan is pricier by about 110%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $819 per month in Seria and $1,721 in Bandar Seri Begawan. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Is eating out cheaper in Seria or Bandar Seri Begawan?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $28.00 in Seria and $27.00 in Bandar Seri Begawan. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Seria and Bandar Seri Begawan?
Groceries cost about 6% more in Bandar Seri Begawan, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Seria or Bandar Seri Begawan?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Seria, where all-in costs run around $546, than in Bandar Seri Begawan at $1,148. In Seria it covers expenses comfortably, while in Bandar Seri Begawan it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Seria or Bandar Seri Begawan more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Seria – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Seria or Bandar Seri Begawan?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Seria. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bandar Seri Begawan makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.