Cost of Living in Brunei (2026)

COL Index: 49% of U.S. national average · Updated for 2026

Cost of Living Index

49%

vs U.S. average (100%)

Relative Cost

Very Low

Compared to U.S.

Currency

BND

Salary Data

10 Jobs

Top 10 highest paying

Top 10 Jobs in Brunei — COL-Adjusted Salaries

Rank	Job Title	Local Salary	COL-Adjusted (BND)
1	Surgeons / Doctors	12,117–39,632 BND/mo	24,728–80,881 BND/mo
2	Judges	10,182–33,322 BND/mo	20,779–68,004 BND/mo
3	Lawyers	8,246–27,011 BND/mo	16,829–55,125 BND/mo
4	Bank Managers	7,767–25,412 BND/mo	15,851–51,861 BND/mo
5	Chief Executive Officers	7,279–23,813 BND/mo	14,855–48,598 BND/mo
6	Chief Financial Officers	6,791–22,214 BND/mo	13,860–45,335 BND/mo
7	Orthodontists	6,547–21,457 BND/mo	13,361–43,790 BND/mo
8	College Professors	5,823–19,017 BND/mo	11,883–38,810 BND/mo
9	Pilots	4,855–15,903 BND/mo	9,908–32,455 BND/mo
10	Marketing Directors	4,367–14,305 BND/mo	8,912–29,193 BND/mo

* COL-adjusted salary is shown in BND, restated at the purchasing power implied by the cost of living index for Brunei.

Salary vs. Cost of Living by Category in Brunei

Category	Avg. Salary (Local)	COL-Adjusted (BND)	Purchasing Power
AI & Machine Learning	11,663 BND	23,801 BND	+104%
Finance & Accounting	11,528 BND	23,526 BND	+104%
Business Administration	12,849 BND	26,222 BND	+104%
Advertising	9,766 BND	19,930 BND	+104%
Architecture	9,908 BND	20,221 BND	+104%
Automotive & Car Industry	9,553 BND	19,496 BND	+104%
Aviation	11,764 BND	24,007 BND	+104%
Banking	13,817 BND	28,196 BND	+104%
Construction	9,454 BND	19,293 BND	+104%
Counseling	9,417 BND	19,217 BND	+104%
Customer Service	7,572 BND	15,453 BND	+104%
Education & Teaching	9,889 BND	20,182 BND	+104%
Energy	10,745 BND	21,929 BND	+104%
Engineering	9,019 BND	18,406 BND	+104%
Manufacturing	10,308 BND	21,037 BND	+104%
Fitness & Sports	6,857 BND	13,994 BND	+104%
Hospitality	9,806 BND	20,013 BND	+104%
Healthcare	25,521 BND	52,084 BND	+104%
Human Resources	9,529 BND	19,446 BND	+104%
Import & Export	7,403 BND	15,109 BND	+104%
Insurance	10,720 BND	21,878 BND	+104%
Information Technology	9,710 BND	19,817 BND	+104%
Law & Legal Services	15,045 BND	30,705 BND	+104%
Marketing	10,569 BND	21,569 BND	+104%
Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology	13,615 BND	27,785 BND	+104%
Public Relations	8,852 BND	18,066 BND	+104%
Procurement	9,777 BND	19,953 BND	+104%
Quality Control	8,583 BND	17,515 BND	+104%
Real Estate	11,368 BND	23,199 BND	+104%
Sales	11,519 BND	23,509 BND	+104%
Telecommunications	8,568 BND	17,484 BND	+104%

Cost of Living in Brunei — Overview

The cost of living in Brunei is 49% of the U.S. national average. This makes Brunei a more affordable destination compared to the United States. Your salary goes further here, especially for housing, food, and services.

Purchasing Power in Brunei

A salary with the purchasing power of the U.S. national average works out at approximately 273,470 BND in Brunei for the same standard of living. This means your money goes further in Brunei, making it an attractive destination for remote workers and expats.

Cost of Living Categories in Brunei

Housing

Housing in countries with a cost index of 49% tends to be the largest expense, often consuming 30-40% of income. Rent, utilities, and property costs vary significantly between urban and rural areas.

Food

Groceries and dining out in countries at 49% COL can vary widely. Local markets offer lower prices while imported goods cost more. Cooking at home is generally more affordable.

Transportation

Public transit and fuel costs in a 49% COL country. Many countries have efficient public transportation systems that reduce the need for personal vehicles.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs and insurance in 49% COL countries. Some countries have universal healthcare systems that significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

Education

Education and childcare costs vary greatly with COL index. Public education is often subsidized while international schools charge premium fees.

Utilities

Electricity, water, internet, and other essential services. Weather patterns affect utility usage and costs significantly.

Clothing

Apparel costs in 49% COL environments. Imported brands cost more while local clothing is generally affordable.

Entertainment

Leisure activities and entertainment expenses. Costs for cinema, dining, and recreational activities scale with the overall COL index.

Salary Overview — Top 10 Jobs

Monthly salary in BND · singhyogendra.com.np

Surgeons / Doctors12,117 – 39,63225,875 BND
Judges10,182 – 33,32221,752 BND
Lawyers8,246 – 27,01117,629 BND
Bank Managers7,767 – 25,41216,590 BND
Chief Executive Officers7,279 – 23,81315,546 BND
Chief Financial Officers6,791 – 22,21414,503 BND
Orthodontists6,547 – 21,45714,002 BND
College Professors5,823 – 19,01712,420 BND
Pilots4,855 – 15,90310,379 BND
Marketing Directors4,367 – 14,3059,336 BND

singhyogendra.com.np

Top Paying Jobs in Brunei

See the full list of highest paying careers and salaries in Brunei.

Best Paying Jobs in Brunei

Take-Home Pay in Brunei

Estimate your after-tax salary and see how much you keep after deductions in Brunei.

Take-Home Pay in Brunei

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Brunei?

The cost of living in Brunei is 49% of the U.S. national average. This means it is less expensive than living in the average U.S. city.

How is the cost of living in Brunei calculated?

The cost of living index is based on prices for housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and other goods and services compared to the U.S. national average of 100.

What salary do I need to live comfortably in Brunei?

Salaries in Brunei should be adjusted by the cost of living index to keep the same purchasing power. A salary equivalent to the U.S. national average corresponds to roughly 273,470 BND in Brunei.