Cost of living in Brunei compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 35% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Brunei is 35% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Brunei | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | B$6.00 ($4.37) | $20 | - 79% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | B$7 ($5.17) | $12 | - 56% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | B$3.00 ($2.18) | $5.54 | - 61% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | B$4.20 ($3.06) | $1.06 | + 189% | |
| 12 eggs, large | B$2.00 ($1.46) | $4.72 | - 69% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | B$2.38 ($1.73) | $4.43 | - 61% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | B$13 ($10) | $7 | + 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | B$4.00 ($2.91) | $3.90 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | B$3.00 ($2.18) | $2.05 | + 7% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | B$3.00 ($2.18) | $3.81 | - 43% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | B$70 ($51) | $18 | + 182% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | B$2.38 ($1.73) | $2.91 | - 40% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | B$2.44 ($1.78) | $2.61 | - 32% | |
| Housing | - 53% | |||
| Housing in Brunei is 53% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Brunei | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | B$1,708 ($1,243) | $2,829 | - 56% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | B$1,356 ($987) | $2,103 | - 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | B$79 ($58) | $222 | - 74% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | B$1,200 ($874) | $2,059 | - 58% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | B$896 ($652) | $1,494 | - 56% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | B$40 ($29) | $161 | - 82% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | B$45 ($33) | $59 | - 45% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | B$933 ($679) | $257 | + 164% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | B$352 ($256) | $149 | + 72% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | B$8 ($6) | $14 | - 59% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $33 | - | |
| Clothes | - 1% | |||
| Clothes in Brunei is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Brunei | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | B$96 ($70) | $56 | + 24% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | B$80 ($58) | $52 | + 13% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | B$85 ($62) | $106 | - 42% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | B$86 ($63) | $136 | - 54% | |
| Transportation | - 37% | |||
| Transportation in Brunei is 37% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Brunei | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | B$38,743 ($28,204) | $30,251 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | B$0.53 ($0.39) | $0.94 | - 59% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | B$60 ($44) | $79 | - 45% | |
| Personal Care | - 48% | |||
| Personal Care in Brunei is 48% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Brunei | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | B$5.70 ($4.15) | $9 | - 55% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | B$20 ($15) | $21 | - 32% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | B$70 ($51) | $168 | - 70% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | B$4.00 ($2.91) | $9 | - 67% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | B$5.00 ($3.64) | $5.36 | - 32% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | B$7 ($4.96) | $7 | - 26% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | B$3.80 ($2.76) | $5.05 | - 45% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | B$3.26 ($2.37) | $2.33 | + 2% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | B$23 ($17) | $30 | - 45% | |
| Entertainment | - 5% | |||
| Entertainment in Brunei is 5% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Brunei | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | B$32 ($23) | $61 | - 62% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | B$21 ($16) | $29 | - 47% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | B$60 ($44) | $207 | - 79% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | B$77 ($56) | $101 | - 45% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | B$100 ($73) | $15 | + 392% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | B$6.00 ($4.37) | $5.91 | - 26% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | $7 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | B$1,169 ($851) | $468 | + 82% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | B$0.80 ($0.58) | $0.53 | + 10% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | B$60 ($44) | $65 | - 33% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | B$15 ($11) | $10 | + 4% | |
| TOTAL | - 37% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 17,124 prices entered by 2,086 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.728
USD
/
BND
Cost of living in Brunei is 37% cheaper than in United States
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