Cost of living in Brunei compared to China
Currency:
Food | + 22% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Brunei is 22% more expensive than in China | ||||
Brunei | China | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | B$6.00 (29元) | 43元 | - 33% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | B$7 (34元) | 37元 | - 7% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | B$3.00 (15元) | 17元 | - 14% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | B$4.20 (20元) | 14元 | + 42% | |
12 eggs, large | B$2.00 (10元) | 16元 | - 41% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | B$2.38 (12元) | 9元 | + 31% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | B$13 (64元) | 48元 | + 33% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | B$4.00 (19元) | 13元 | + 51% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | B$3.00 (15元) | 6元 | + 139% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | B$3.00 (15元) | 7元 | + 117% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | B$70 (339元) | 97元 | + 249% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | B$2.38 (12元) | 9元 | + 24% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | B$2.44 (12元) | 13元 | - 11% | |
Housing | - 17% | |||
Housing in Brunei is 17% cheaper than in China | ||||
Brunei | China | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | B$1,708 (8,266元) | 13,898元 | - 41% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | B$1,356 (6,562元) | 8,379元 | - 22% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | B$79 (384元) | 462元 | - 17% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | B$1,200 (5,809元) | 6,525元 | - 11% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | B$896 (4,339元) | 4,376元 | - 1% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | B$40 (192元) | 516元 | - 63% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | B$45 (218元) | 140元 | + 55% | |
40” flat screen tv | B$933 (4,516元) | 1,829元 | + 147% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | B$352 (1,703元) | 546元 | + 212% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | B$8 (40元) | 50元 | - 20% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | B$10 (48元) | 66元 | - 27% | |
Clothes | + 3% | |||
Clothes in Brunei is about the same as in China | ||||
Brunei | China | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | B$96 (464元) | 511元 | - 9% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | B$80 (387元) | 288元 | + 34% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | B$85 (411元) | 654元 | - 37% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | B$86 (417元) | 844元 | - 51% | |
Transportation | + 15% | |||
Transportation in Brunei is 15% more expensive than in China | ||||
Brunei | China | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | B$38,743 (187,548元) | 148,501元 | + 26% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | B$0.53 (2.57元) | 8元 | - 69% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | B$60 (290元) | 206元 | + 41% | |
Personal Care | + 0% | |||
Personal Care in Brunei is about the same as in China | ||||
Brunei | China | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | B$5.70 (28元) | 28元 | - 2% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | B$20 (97元) | 27元 | + 259% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | B$42 (203元) | 386元 | - 47% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | B$4.00 (19元) | 30元 | - 36% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | B$5.00 (24元) | 19元 | + 25% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | B$7 (33元) | 44元 | - 24% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | B$3.80 (18元) | 21元 | - 13% | |
Tube of toothpaste | B$3.26 (16元) | 16元 | - 1% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | B$23 (110元) | 82元 | + 34% | |
Entertainment | + 55% | |||
Entertainment in Brunei is 55% more expensive than in China | ||||
Brunei | China | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | B$32 (155元) | 260元 | - 40% | |
2 tickets to the movies | B$21 (104元) | 122元 | - 15% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | B$60 (290元) | 417元 | - 30% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | B$77 (372元) | 319元 | + 17% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | B$100 (484元) | 90元 | + 439% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | B$5.36 (26元) | 31元 | - 17% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | 19元 | - | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | B$500 (2,420元) | 2,968元 | - 18% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | B$0.80 (3.87元) | 0.24元 | + 1486% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | B$80 (387元) | 410元 | - 6% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | B$15 (73元) | 38元 | + 93% | |
TOTAL | + 10% |

These prices were last updated on May 04, 2022.
Exchange rate:
4.841
CNY
/
BND
Cost of living in Brunei is 10% more expensive than in China
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