Skyline of Bandar Seri Begawan
Cost of Living: 100 150,000

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

Bandar Seri Begawan is a major city in Brunei with a population of 150,000.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 100

Below Average vs Brunei Avg (100)

Housing Index 115

Above Average

Median Income B$ 36,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Bandar Seri Begawan vs Brunei Average

Cost of Living
Bandar Seri Begawan: 100
Brunei Avg: 100
Housing Index
Bandar Seri Begawan: 115
Brunei Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 0.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: B$ 36,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 150,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 250/year
  • Summer High: 90°F
  • Winter Low: 74°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7b

Housing

  • Median Home: B$300,000
  • 1BR Rent: B$800/mo

Cost of Living

Bandar Seri Begawan's cost of living index is 100 (Brunei average = 100).

CategoryBandar Seri BegawanNational AverageDifference
Overall1001000.0%
Housing115100+15.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceB$300,000
Median Rent (1BR)B$800/mo
Median Rent (2BR)B$1,000/mo
Price per Sq FtB$200

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

B$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
B$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Bandar Seri Begawan:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityB$30
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)B$89Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterB$10Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)B$40Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesB$169Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Bandar Seri Begawan scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
100
Rent
B$800
Sunny Days
250
Tax
None
Unemployment
5.0%
Climate
90°F / 74°F
Safety
0.5 homicides/100k
Population
150,000
Internet Speed
80 Mbps

Climate

Bandar Seri Begawan has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January94°F74°F2.5"
April75°F89°F2.8"
July90°F65°F1.5"
October70°F92°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7b

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Bandar Seri Begawan faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Typhoon Moderate Risk

Moderate typhoon risk.

Flood Moderate Risk

Coastal and river flooding.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 0%
  • Property Tax: ~0% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.0%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Academic Year January to December
Term System Semester — 1st (Jan-May), 2nd (Jun-Dec)
Summer Break June (3 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (5 weeks)
Spring Break Ramadan break (2 weeks)

Year-end break is the longest. Friday and Saturday are the weekend.

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei?

The cost of living index in Bandar Seri Begawan is 100, which is Lower the Brunei national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Bandar Seri Begawan?

The median home price in Bandar Seri Begawan is B$300,000. The housing index is 115.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Bandar Seri Begawan is approximately B$800/mo.

Does Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei-Muara have income tax?

Bandar Seri Begawan is in Brunei-Muara, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Bandar Seri Begawan?

Bandar Seri Begawan enjoys approximately 250 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 90°F, while winter lows can drop to around 74°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.