Key Cost of Living Data
| Category | Index | Est. USD | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living | 56.0 | 44% cheaper than NYC | Moderate |
| Rent (1-bed city) | 19.0 | $610/mo/mo est. | Cheap |
| Groceries | 55.0 | $230/mo/mo est. | Moderate |
| Restaurants | 42.0 | $8/meal est. | Moderate |
| Local Purch. Power | 199.73 | ×1.79 expat stretch | |
| GNI per Capita | $92.8k | World Bank PPP | |
| Inflation Rate | -0.39% | Annual 2026 |
Housing & Rent
Rent in Brunei is well below the NYC baseline (Rent Index 19.0). A 1-bedroom apartment in a major city centre costs around $610/month, dropping to $400/month outside the centre. Three-bedroom apartments typically run $1,045+/month centrally.
| Type | USD / month | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bed, city centre | $610/mo | Capital city avg. |
| 1-bed, suburbs | $400/mo | Outside centre |
| 3-bed, city centre | $1,045/mo | Family / shared |
| Utilities (85m²) | $85/mo | Electricity, gas, water |
Food & Dining
Food in Brunei is budget-friendly. An inexpensive restaurant meal costs around $8/person; a mid-range dinner for two runs $68. Monthly grocery spending for one person averages $230.
| Item | Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | $8 | Per person |
| Meal for 2, mid-range | $34 | 3-course |
| Monthly groceries (single) | $230/mo | Estimated |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $1.40 | Local brand |
| Coffee / espresso | $1.96 | Local café |
Transport
A monthly public transport pass in Brunei costs roughly $75. Taxis and ride-hailing are affordable, making day-to-day mobility a minor budget item.
| Type | Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass | $56/mo | Public transport |
| Taxi per km | $1.12/km | Avg. rate |
| Petrol (1L) | $0.90/L | Regular fuel |
| Internet speed | 53.0 Mbps | Good |
Healthcare & Quality of Life
Key Insight
Brunei's CoL Index of 56.0 paired with a Local Purchasing Power Index of 199.7 signals strong purchasing power for local earners. Salaries track costs reasonably well for local professionals. Current inflation is moderate at -0.4%, keeping costs relatively stable.
Our Verdict for Brunei
Brunei offers strong value for money at CoL 56.0 — significantly below NYC and most Western cities. Digital nomads and expats from high-cost countries benefit most from this gap.
Best for
- Digital nomads & remote workers on foreign income
- Budget-conscious expats maximising lifestyle quality
- Long-term residents — strong local purchasing power
May not suit
- Remote workers on tight budgets — costs still add up
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