Cost of Living in Brunei 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetAll figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of Brunei is the Brunei dollar (BND).
Monthly Living Costs in Brunei
Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:
1BR Rent
per month, city average
3BR Rent
per month, city average
Groceries
per month, single person
Transport
per month, public transit pass
Utilities
per month, basic apartment
Meal Out
typical price per meal
Monthly budget (single person): €1,065 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €1,360 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Brunei Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 42.5 |
| Rent index | 15.5 |
| Groceries index | 66.1 |
| Restaurant price index | 33.3 |
| Local purchasing-power index (higher = stronger) | 134.4 |
| Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100) | 36.9 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Brunei from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| IT & Software | €42,000 |
| Finance | €40,000 |
| Engineering | €38,000 |
| Healthcare | €35,000 |
| Education | €28,000 |
| Construction | €26,000 |
| Hospitality | €18,000 |
| Retail | €16,000 |
Taxes in Brunei
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 0% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €6,433 |
| VAT / sales tax | 0% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 15% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €6,433 per month. After rent and essentials (€1,065), roughly €5,368 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Brunei Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brunei | €650 | €250 | €45 | 42.5 |
| Malaysia | €450 | €180 | €35 | 36.1 |
| Indonesia | €320 | €85 | €18 | 28.7 |
| Philippines | €380 | €85 | €18 | 33.4 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Brunei:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 13 residence and visa routes for Brunei — see the full Brunei visa programme list.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €1,065 per month to sustain a move to Brunei.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brunei expensive?
Brunei has a cost-of-living index of 42.5 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €650 per month and a single person spends about €1,065 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Brunei?
About €1,065 per month covers rent and essentials for a single person (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities). A couple sharing a 1-bedroom apartment needs about €1,360 per month.
What is the average rent in Brunei?
A 1-bedroom apartment averages €650 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €1,100 per month in Brunei. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.
What do people earn in Brunei?
Typical gross annual salaries in Brunei range from €16,000 (Retail) to €42,000 (IT & Software), based on our sector dataset.
Ready for the next step? See the full Brunei country profile and the Brunei emigration guide.
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