Brunei🇧🇳
At a Glance
How Brunei compares across key indices
Cost of Living
41 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
93/100
Healthcare
61/100
Quality of Life
170/200
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in Brunei
Cost of Living
41
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
30
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
41
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
43
100 = NYC dining
Safety & Crime
Low RiskHow safe residents feel in Brunei - based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
93/100
Crime Index
2/100
Lower is better
Walking Safety
0 point drop from day to night
Cities in Brunei
Brunei has 8 cities with Freedom Abroad estimates. Monthly costs for a single person range from $805 in Sengkurong to $923 in Bandar Seri Begawan. Sengkurong leads on safety, scoring 95/100. Bandar Seri Begawan ranks highest for quality of life at 176/200.
Sengkurong
$805/mo
Sengkurong
95/100
Bandar Seri Begawan
176/200
Bandar Seri Begawan
63/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bandar Seri Begawan | $923 | 95/100 | 176/200 | 63/100 | 11 |
| Sengkurong | $805 | 95/100 | 176/200 | 57/100 | 7 |
| Mentiri | $805 | 95/100 | 176/200 | 57/100 | 7 |
| Kuala Belait | $805 | 95/100 | 176/200 | 57/100 | 7 |
| Seria | $805 | 95/100 | 176/200 | 57/100 | 7 |
| Tutong | $805 | 95/100 | 176/200 | 57/100 | 7 |
| Serasa | $805 | 95/100 | 176/200 | 57/100 | 7 |
| Liang | $805 | 95/100 | 176/200 | 57/100 | 7 |
Freedom Abroad estimates are modeled for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare
Healthcare system overview for Brunei
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Environment
CleanAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in Brunei
Pollution Index
15/100
Lower is better
PM2.5
7.6ug/m3
Good
Environmental Quality
Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in Brunei, answered with data
What is the cost of living in Brunei?
Brunei has a cost of living index of 41 relative to New York City (100). It is moderately affordable compared to the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $923 in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Is Brunei safe for expats?
Brunei has a safety index of 93/100, making it very safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Bandar Seri Begawan scores highest on safety at 95/100.
What is the best city in Brunei for expats and digital nomads?
Bandar Seri Begawan ranks highest for quality of life in Brunei, scoring 176/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $923/mo for a single person.
How good is healthcare in Brunei?
Brunei scores 61/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it good by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.
Is Brunei cheaper than the United States?
Yes. Brunei's cost of living is roughly 59% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 70% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
What is the air quality and pollution like in Brunei?
Brunei has a pollution index of 15/100 (lower = cleaner). This is relatively clean by global standards, making it appealing for those prioritising air quality and outdoor lifestyle.
Before You Go
Your pre-departure checklist for Brunei
Plan Your Move
Where Can I Move?
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Compare Countries
Side-by-side breakdown of cost of living, safety, healthcare, and more.
Cost of Living
Model monthly costs with Freedom Abroad estimates before you narrow the shortlist.
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Cost of living, safety, and quality-of-life figures on this page are Freedom Abroad estimates modeled from open public sources. Data sources
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